Series 20

Season 20 · 2020 · 25 episodes

Episodes

1Episode 1The Home Counties host antiques experts Catherine Southon and James Braxton, paired together for the first time. It’s friendly but competitive from the off as they settle in to their stately motor, a 1969 Rover P5. The duo banter, barter and browse as they shop for bargains to take to auction. And they both take detours along the way. Catherine hears how one of the UK’s most popular flowers was saved from extinction, while James takes a ride in a car manufactured in 1902 and learns all about a family business that began in the late 19th century and still makes vehicles today. But their focus is firmly fixed on finding the best antiques, with a starting budget of £200. For Catherine small is beautiful, while James prefers the large and noisy. Who will win the day and make the most profit when their items go under the hammer in Bourne End?
2Episode 2Antiques Road Trip veterans Catherine Southon and James Braxton are on the second leg of their five-part expedition, acquiring the very best antiques their budget allows. Pride and profits are at stake, and with Catherine in the lead after winning the last auction, James is determined to close the gap. This time they hit the road in Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. James ends up on stage for an impromptu performance at the Royal Shakespeare Company, while Catherine discovers the little-known history of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. Both experts go potty for papier-mâché, but will it be the pretty writing box or the pair of prop cannon that makes the most profit? That’s if James and Catherine make it to the sale room - there’s confusion as to whether they’re heading to the correct auction. Will they ever make it to Shropshire?
3Episode 3With a mere £70 between them, the battle is on! Catherine Southon and James Braxton are back on the road in their fabulous 1969 Rover, county hopping from Leicestershire to South Yorkshire. ... But when the gavel comes down in Elsecar, South Yorkshire there can be only one winner.
4Episode 4It’s the fourth leg of Catherine Southon and James Braxton’s road trip, and success at the last auction means one expert has double the kitty of their rival. There’s pride at stake as our pair head across Derbyshire and Leicestershire to an auction in Bedford in their stately classic 1969 Rover. The twosome’s shopping choices could not be more diverse. How do Catherine’s 18th-century caryatid carvings measure up against James’s very old bowl of marbles? And away from the antiques, Catherine gets steamed up on the heritage Great Central Railway, and James goes potty about pottery. It’s a romp and a half, and with a mix up over one item and a costly gamble on another, who will come out on top in the penultimate auction?
5Episode 5It is crunch time! With just six pounds separating them, veteran antiques trippers Catherine Southon and James Braxton battle it out on the final leg of their adventure. They travel through Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to Bourne in Lincolnshire in their smart and stately 1969 Rover P5. Along the way, Catherine meets a stallion in Newmarket, the home of thoroughbred horse racing, and even takes a ride herself. And James dips for wildlife on the Fens while discovering the influential banker whose passion for the environment led to conservation as we know it today. Back on the antiques trail, our terrific twosome seek out the best buys as they go head to head at the Lincolnshire auction. But will a jug in the shape of an owl or a biscuit tin in the form of a travelling trunk make the biggest profit?
6Episode 6Road Tripping favourites Charlie Ross and Izzie Balmer start their antiques hunt in the bucolic Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold. They’re pointing their 1960s classic car to Wales via Gloucestershire in the hunt for profit-making collectables. Charlie’s campaign for brown furniture is momentarily put on hold when he picks up a military first aid kit for a quite intimate area. Can he secure it for a rock-bottom price? Izzie’s eclectic mix of buys include a toast rack and a tutti-frutti bowl. Izzie detours from the shops to head to the oldest Welsh mountain pony stud in the world to discover the incredible history of one of Wales’s native breeds. Meanwhile, Charlie finds himself in Cirencester unlocking the city’s fascinating past at the centre of the Roman Empire. The story is right beneath his feet! A nail-biting auction in Cardiff concludes this first leg, and an unexpected big profit puts one Tripper firmly in the lead.
7Episode 7Charlie and Izzie continue their B-road romp, pointing their classic car towards Surrey. Gemologist Izzie finds a piece of jewellery that causes quite a stir at auction, while Charlie’s passion for furniture in all shades of brown sees him uncover a very rare table that sparks a frenzy of bids at the Dorking auction. Ditching the classic car, Charlie heads down river in a desperate attempt to keep eels swimming, while Izzie looks up to the sky in admiration of Britain’s first female astronomer.
8Episode 8Experts Charlie Ross and Izzie Balmer find themselves weaving their classic car through the B-roads of the North Wessex Downs. Charlie decides to play Izzie at her own game and hunts for sparkly antiques. However, he's soon distracted by an exquisite Edwardian box that holds a surprise. Izzie rolls up her sleeves and rummages in a shop's store room. What goodies will she uncover? During a break from shopping, Charlie learns how an ancient Egyptian toe has relevance to advances in medical science today, and Izzie discovers how silk production moved from China to these shores and why the location of a mill made the area famous for the luxury fabric. Then it's on to an exciting auction in Exeter.
9Episode 9It's the fourth leg of our trip with experts Izzie Balmer and Charlie Ross. After a quick lesson in how to identify different wood, Izzie gambles on some brown furniture – but is it made from beech or ash? Charlie, meanwhile, ends up in a shop's storeroom and uncovers an antique he's never before seen but is confident will excite the bidders of Sidmouth. Izzie rests from shopping and goes on a nature ramble in the footsteps of one of the world's first ecologists, Gilbert White, the man who influenced Charles Darwin. And Charlie hears a story of industrial espionage, religious persecution and people smuggling, and why all this meant one small town would become world famous for... carpets. All roads lead to auction in the seaside town of Sidmouth. But who will be buying celebratory ice creams for the journey home?
10Episode 10Captain Izzie Balmer and first mate Charlie Ross are sailing to the Isle of Wight for their final leg of this road trip. It's an action-packed episode – Charlie rips his trousers while on horseback, Izzie ditches the classic car in favour of a speedboat, and will they miss the last ferry back to the mainland? ... Our experts go into auction battle one last time in Battle, East Sussex. Izzie's silver brooch is up against Charlie's silver pen, but which expert will take gold and win the final leg of the trip?
11Episode 11The start of a brand new Road Trip with a fresh-faced expert making a debut appearance. Old hand Angus Ashworth is showing 'new boy' Steven Moore the ropes in the first of a five leg adventure. Steven is a former dealer, auctioneer and museum curator and has been valuing antiques on the telly for years. However, has he got what it takes to beat veteran Tripper Angus when it comes to finding valuable antiques? Their 1960 Hillman Super Minx fires up in the Scottish Borders, and purrs towards an auction in the Lake District at Crooklands, near Kendal. As well as lots of top treasure seeking, today’s episode also includes the story of the country’s greatest archers and a trip to a part of Scotland that’s slowly revealing its secrets to archaeologists.
12Episode 12It’s the second leg of the trip and our two chums, Steven Moore and Angus Ashworth, plus their shiny, white Hillman Super Minx called ‘Betty’, are shopping their way along the byways of Scotland. Yorkshireman Angus bags something aromatic and coffee related, while Geordie new boy Steven plumps for a little treasure from his fellow tripper’s back yard in Yorkshire. But will their plans pay off at the auction? On the way, we visit Scotland’s largest lowland loch to find out about a fascinating former resident who made a dramatic escape from imprisonment and also take a crash course in chemistry. All before heading to the sale room at Kinbuck.
13Episode 13It’s the halfway point of our treasure trip, and experts Angus Ashworth and Steven Moore are still having fun in bonnie Scotland. Today they take the low road which is just as well considering their 1960s Hillman Minx has serious issues with hills! Auctioneer Angus, a Yorkshireman, thinks his Scottish name might somehow help him in the haggle. While Steven, a Geordie and former auctioneer, dealer and curator - prefers to subtly roll his ‘R’s… On the way to a saleroom back below the border in Clitheroe, they discover the well-spring of water polo and enjoy a very soggy Highland Games. Expect swimming costumes and caber tossing.
14Episode 14It’s the fourth leg of our trip with experts Steven Moore and Angus Ashworth and they get an awful lot closer to home. After clocking up the miles in lovely lowland Scotland their Hillman Super Minx will today be hitting the byways of Derbyshire and Yorkshire. Angus and Steven also visit a couple of venerable survivors from the Industrial Revolution and enjoying yet more delicious indigenous pastry products, before heading off to an exciting auction in the North Yorkshire town of Bedale. But will Angus’s crystal ball prophecy prove correct?
15Episode 15It’s the final leg with our experts and new-found chums Steven Moore and Angus Ashworth. Not to mention their sparkling white 1960 Hillman Super Minx called Betty. Today they’re out and about in the North East of England. The extremely circuitous open road having somehow taken hundreds of miles to get there from nearby Melrose in the Scottish Borders. There will be Whitby jet, the sheep of the beautiful North York Moors and even a trip back north to Dundee. Plus, Steven takes up painting in the footsteps of the ‘Northern Impressionists’ and Angus decides to go for gold and parts with a small fortune. He’ll need a good sit down afterwards though!
16Episode 16We’ve popped over the Irish Sea for a road trip that takes in all the delights that Northern Ireland has to offer. Antiques experts Louise Gostelow and David Harper are on the tourist trail in their classic Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, seeing the sights and snapping up bargains. David discovers a whole new way of haggling - the Ballymena Bargain - while Louise, who employs a more traditional negotiating technique, gets to grips with a tin toy till. But will either of them cash in when they get to auction? David visits the oldest distillery in the world for a drop of 'uisce beatha', the water of life, while Louise heads to the coast to sample some seaweed. Then it’s off to the big city, Belfast, for an auction that goes on into the night.
17Episode 17Louise Gostelow and David Harper continue their adventures in Northern Ireland. As they hit the shops, David gets quite a shock when he gets his hands on a Victorian cure-all. He also sneakily muscles in on Louise’s strategy for success at the auction. She finds an ally whilst out shopping, someone who knows David of old and has a score to settle. But which tactic will reap the most rewards? Along the way, Louise discovers the inspiring story of a formidable Belfast woman who fought tirelessly for social change, and David travels back to Ireland’s ancient past to hear the tales of this land’s legendary heroes. Then it’s time to say goodbye to Northern Ireland as they head off to an auction in Lancashire for a dogfight.
18Episode 18Our two roadtrippers, Louise Gostelow and David Harper, embark on the north western leg of their antiques odyssey - as soon as they work out which way up the map goes. They hit the B roads in their old VW Beetle, scouring Lancashire and Cumbria for items of interest. After David came a cropper at the last auction, courtesy of a pair of pooches, he finds another four-legged friend to fall in love with. Louise makes a furry friend of her own, but she’ll have to do some extreme rummaging to unearth the all-important missing key. Along the way, Louise gets down to work in a dairy, finding out about the man who standardised the method for making Lancashire cheese, and David heads into the Lake District to find out why the woods around Windermere once rang with the sound of industry. Then it’s off to Cheshire for an exciting auction in Runcorn.
19Episode 19We’re wandering through Wales in the company of Louise Gostelow and David Harper, on the fourth leg of this trip. They’ll be practicing a few 'useful' Welsh phrases, hoping to endear themselves to the antiques dealers in the area. On their travels, Louise samples a British first - a drink that sold all around the world before it took off in its hometown - and David heads to the coast to hear the melodious sounds of a Welsh male voice choir, before unleashing his own vocal stylings on an unsuspecting audience. On the shopping front, Louise is hoping to be sitting pretty with her ever-growing collection of chairs - and the odd bit of ammunition thrown in for good measure. David, meanwhile, is trying to step out of his comfort zone. He’s on a mission to buy things he doesn’t have the first clue about. We’ll find out which strategy pays off when they hit the auction room in Liverpool.
20Episode 20We’re nearing the end of the road for our two adventurous antiquers, Louise Gostelow and David Harper. They’re out on the windy moors of West Yorkshire, hoping to bag an item or two to take to their final auction. Louise is looking to clean up as she gets her hands on a very early labour-saving device, as well as an illuminating bit of retro chic. David takes a shine to some theatre seats, but things get complicated when he tries to work out how many he can afford. He also has his eye on a saddle for a camel, which is bound to be indispensible in Yorkshire. Whilst out and about, David heads to Huddersfield to hear about the history of rugby league, before facing off against two big players of the game, both in reputation and stature. Meanwhile, Louise has her honour fought for by an actual knight in shining armour when she finds out about the development of jousting. Then it’s off to their final tournament in the seaside town of Scarborough. Who will emerge victorious?
21Episode 21Natasha Raskin Sharp and Raj Bisram take a ride through the garden of England in a 1960s Sunbeam rally car. Strapped in for the trip, they soon discover a common interest in a little bit of magic. Natasha splashes out on an expensive French sunburst clock, and a Victorian scent bottle has her swooning with the romance of a royal love affair. Meanwhile, former soldier Raj finds ammunition boxes and a steel helmet a lot more attractive, and our military man also visits a very special village caring for those who have served in the armed forces. A detour sees Natasha helping to put a Second World War Spitfire back in the air, but a lesson in Morse code sees her putting out an SOS. Their first auction is in Essex at Rayleigh, and both experts are hoping to come out on top.
22Episode 22Natasha and Raj continue their rallying through East Anglia in the 1960s Sunbeam Rapier. Raj goes native with a spot of step dancing in a local pub, while Natasha spends a penny on a jukebox from the 1800s at a collection of self-playing musical instruments. Raj's expensive collection of uranium glass might glow in the dark, but will it go nuclear at auction? Natasha's head is turned by a posh suitcase from Fortnum & Mason, but is it a case of all fur coat and no knickers? And Natasha just doesn't see what's coming when Raj asks to borrow a tenner. Abracadabra! A change in fortunes for one expert at auction in Woking means an exciting end to this leg of the trip.
23Episode 23Continuing their tour of Kent, Raj Bisram takes on a mighty mollusc in Rye, where scallops are king, while Natasha Raskin Sharp pushes the boat out on the Royal Military Canal for a closer look at the coastal defences designed to see off invasion from France. Raj nets a post-Napoleonic French eagle while cherubs and art deco costume jewellery are more madame's style. But despite heading for an antiques and fine art sale, Raj can't resist the risky purchase of an old oak coffer, which empties his pockets. Natasha splashes out on an expensive whisky noggin. Which of them will clean up at the Colchester sale?
24Episode 24Natasha Raskin Sharp and Raj Bisram go rallying on the B roads of Norfolk. Raj stops off to go wild in wellies at one of Britain's first nature reserves, while Natasha makes for the sea and the imprint of a deep sea fisherman turned artist. They're animal crackers on this leg, as Raj nets a fine butterfly and Natasha falls for a kitten in a basket and an owl. She also takes a punt on a pair of polo horses. Being an auctioneer, Natasha is drawn to an inexpensive and unusual gavel, while Raj gets in touch with his inner child and parts with some of his pocket money for a vintage train set. Next stop? Leicester for a very important auction.
25Episode 25For Raj, the bells are ringing in Loughborough as they rally to the finishing line. But Natasha's in the ring, fighting back, channelling the spirit of a Nottingham bare-knuckle boxing legend. And for their last auction in Cambridge, there's a 1970s theme going on as Raj weighs in with a large set of standing scales with no old 10p coin to check they work. And Natasha can't resist thoughts of cocktail sausages on sticks and shells out for a lazy Susan. Natasha steps aboard a narrowboat antiques shop moored on a canal while Raj rummages in the den of a fantastic pair of foxes and emerges with perhaps his most unpredictable purchase to date. But whose cunning plan will win the day?