antiques experts... Let the Road Trip begin!

VO: ..behind the wheel of a classic car.

IZZIE: Ooh!

DAVID: You hit the roof then!

VO: And a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

Pump yourself up... with antiques.

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

That's a top job, isn't it?

VO: There'll be worthy winners... AUCTIONEER: £400.

RAJ: Fantastic!

VO: ..and valiant losers.

I'm screaming on the inside.

VO: Will it be the high road to glory...

The gloves are off.

VO: ..or the slow road to disaster?

The gearbox has gone!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Dig that.

Strap in, folks.

It's the penultimate leg in our road trip.

Today, we find ourselves in the stunning Shropshire countryside with this fine pair of auctioneers, Kentish man Raj Bisram and Derby's own Charles Hanson.

I think today is going to be a spectacular day because you've got to run hard today.

Are you shopping all day today?

I am shopping hard all day.

I have got to do some serious shopping, Charles.

VO: Their motor is the iconic VW Westfalia campervan, vintage 1971.

I feel solid with you driving and our van feels good.

It is.

It's a...

This is a lovely van.

I know it doesn't look great from the outside and maybe not even great from the inside.

CHARLES: No.

RAJ: But actually it's not bad.

VO: Huh.

Just like you two fellows, eh?

Ha.

Find a camping site tonight?

Ah, I'm looking for... D'you know, I'm really looking forward...

When was the last time you went camping?

Never in my life.

You've never been camping?

Never camped in my life, no.

You're joking.

Never.

I've never camped.

You haven't lived.

VO: Well, there's a first time for everything.

On the previous leg, Raj already started taking his siestas in the van.

Raj, wake up.

VO: But the phrase "you snooze, you lose" has never been more apt.

Ha!

I think my eyes have just popped out and the tear's about to roll.

VO: Meanwhile, Charles has surged ahead.

At £110 then.

I'm selling.

This is biblical.

VO: So there's a lot of catching up to do this leg.

Are you nervous now you're under £200?

Well, to be honest I'm slightly nervous because I'm going to have to babysit you.

Why?

Because you've never been camping.

Why don't I babysit your money now?

RAJ: Ha-ha!

CHARLES: You can babysit... Oh yeah.

I knew you'd change the subject.

VO: Both began with £200 in the kitty and after three auctions, Charles has topped his up to £520.96.

But Raj is worse off than when he started, with just £184.32 in his piggy.

CHARLES: It's getting quite cold, isn't it?

Well, it is.

It is a bit chilly.

Have you got your long johns?

No, I was going to...

I think I might shear a sheep and put some wool around me tonight.

You haven't got any long johns?

Eh?

I've got some long johns.

You have?

I've got two pairs of pants on as well.

OK. VO: Always good to have a spare pair, Charles.

Anyway - he-he!

- to business!

This pair have been shopping mostly in Wales so far, but they're back in England this time out before heading across the border again for their final showdown.

You know you're a magician, aren't you?

Yeah.

Maybe there's scope for you now to magic a few £50 notes in your budget to antiques.

Give them a wave.

Cheers.

VO: This leg's shopping spree ends with an auction in Battle, East Sussex.

But our first port of call is Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Sitting high above the Severn valley, Charles I famously declared the views here to be the finest in his kingdom.

Our Charles, the expert, has been dropped off at the Old Mill Antique Centre.

As the name suggests, this was a seed mill once upon a time and it's enormous.

Over four floors of goodies for Charles to plunder.

When it comes to Bridgnorth, quality counts.

And look at this cabinet here of silver.

It is absolutely exquisite.

This is priced at £1,200.

£1,200 because it's worth it.

It's a Thomas Webb cameo glass scent bottle.

Would date to 1918, made in Birmingham.

Year my grandfather was born, so objects have that attachment sometimes.

VO: Yeah, but it's way out of your budget, so best to move on.

Ah, I know.

Maybe tonight, Raj and I can have a game of table tennis.

Raj, to me, to you.

So, there's yours, Raj, there's mine.

Go!

One... To me, to you.

VO: Leg... fault.

He-he!

On that note, let's check in with Raj.

He's motored a few miles down the road to Worfield... ..and Cosy Cottage Antiques, launched just a year ago by Sandra here.

It's a regular treasure trove inside, and there's a fair bit outside too.

What do you think, Charles?

VO: Very fetching.

Ha!

Raj has just £184 and change to spend, so needs to make canny purchases.

Now, this interests me.

One of the reasons is it's a 19th century stoneware jug.

It's actually a harvest jug.

There's no damage on it.

I mean, it's useful.

Can you imagine sangria or something in there on a nice hot summer's day?

Be lovely in the garden.

VO: Oh, don't tempt me.

And it's got £16 on it.

I mean, normally at £16 you'd think there was damage on it, but actually there isn't.

I'm going to try and be cheeky because I haven't got a lot of money.

I'm going to try and get this for a fiver.

It's not like the normal sized ones.

This is a little bit extra large, so I quite like that.

VO: Me too.

You had me at sangrias.

Now, I wonder how Charles is getting on.

Looks a bit cheaper up here.

Wow!

Some hanging pots here.

We talk about style.

We look at a jug and that to me is quite grotesque, but it's art deco.

That's a good jug because it's not made by Clarice or a leading maker.

It's made by Myott and Son.

They really were quite innovative in their color schemes.

Look at how the rim's been pinched in, pinched in like that just to finish off the design.

Not one jug but two, sort of a pair.

Well, they're £15 each.

If I could perhaps get a small discount, buy these for maybe £25.

To me, if you want art deco, eat your heart out with these all day long.

They've got great style.

They could be a definite purchase.

I'm going to hang them up again without dropping them.

They can stay there.

Mental note, two good jugs for £30.

VO: Best speak with the proprietor and see if a deal can be done for the pair.

Hello there.

JOHN: Hello.

CHARLES: How...

Your name is?

JOHN: I'm John.

CHARLES: John, good to see you.

What a fantastic emporium or antique center.

Antique center, yeah.

Quality, like yourself, is very, very high.

I can't afford some of the things because they're just too good for my pocket at the moment.

Oh dear.

I've only seen one thing, well, two things I might put together and make cozy.

There's a pottery Myott and Son Staffordshire orange ground art-deco jug, priced at £15.

Then I saw its mate.

They're 15 times two.

So priced at 30, if I buy the two together, if there's much discount between friends?

Normally, we don't give a discount if it's less than £25.

But if you're putting the two together, I can probably get you 10% on those two.

Great.

27 for the pair.

So for that pair, I will take them.

Thanks, John.

VO: That barely dents his budget.

He's still got £493 to spend.

Let's head back to Worfield now and see if Raj has had any luck.

This is a really nice croquet set.

Croquet is actually becoming more and more popular.

VO: The modern game can be traced back to 1852, when a game called crookey was introduced to England from Ireland.

This set is still just as usable as the day it was made.

This is a child's set, but again, I think it's really sweet.

This is definitely a possibility.

VO: Ticket price £35.

What else can you find?

This is lovely.

It says here on it it's a vintage Chinese cape, but I think this actually probably is late 19th century.

And the embroidery work on it is fantastic.

You've got this vase here.

You know, all this gold thread, you've got the chess set design, you've got the swastika here.

That actually goes back to ancient times in India 10,000 years ago.

That was the Sanskrit word "swastika".

VO: Whilst the swastika is now synonymous with the evils of fascism, before the Nazis appropriated the symbol, it was used for millennia to represent good fortune.

It's £35 on the ticket.

If I can get this for, I don't know, 15, £20.

I think it's lovely.

I'll see what they can do.

VO: Better head to the front desk and speak to Sandra.

DEALER: Hello.

How you doing?

RAJ: Hi.

How are you?

I'm just gonna put these things down for a second.

DEALER: OK. RAJ: I have to say, what a lovely place you have here.

Well thank you.

I mean, the variety is absolutely amazing, but the things that I've found... OK. ..that I hope I can afford, is I found the croquet set and then I've got this stoneware jug... Mm-hm.

..and this...

I think this is gorgeous.

DEALER: Beautiful, that.

RAJ: This, er... Yeah, this Chinese cape.

Gorgeous.

Now, you've got 35 on that, 16 on that and 35 on the croquet set.

DEALER: OK. RAJ: What could you do if I bought all three items?

Um, 45 for the three items.

Could you do it for 40?

DEALER: I'll do 40.

RAJ: Yeah?

DEALER: I can do 40, yeah.

RAJ: Fantastic.

DEALER: We can manage that.

RAJ: Then we have a deal.

Let me pay you straightaway.

DEALER: Thank you.

RAJ: £40.

VO: Raj has paid £15 each for the Chinese cape and the croquet set and £10 for the stoneware jug, leaving him with just over £144.

Now, time to point the camper on to pastures new.

Meanwhile, Charles has made his way to Bishop's Wood... to find out about an estate that during the English Civil War, saved his namesake, Charles II, from capture and a possible trip to the executioner's block.

He's meeting English heritage curator Cameron Moffett to find out more.

CHARLES: Hi.

CAMERON: Oh hello Charles.

Nice to meet you.

Welcome to Boscobel House, the house where Charles famously hid, but he hid in some other places and the most famous of which is the Royal Oak.

Shall we go and have a look?

I'd love to see it.

I'll follow your lead.

OK. VO: In 1651, following the execution of his father, Charles II raised an army of Scottish royalists and invaded England.

Battle was met with the parliamentarians under Oliver Cromwell at Worcester on Wednesday, September 3rd.

The royalist cavaliers were defeated and Charles fled.

Pursued by the parliamentarian roundheads, he sought shelter at Boscobel House, hiding himself in a tree.

Is this the tree?

CAMERON: This is the tree.

CHARLES: Wow!

Looks old, doesn't it?

Do you know what?

It's standing, it's upright and it's proud of its roots.

VO: This is the tree that launched a thousand pubs known as the Royal Oak.

Without it, we might very well have had a president rather than a Queen today.

This is the tree our king hid in?

Sadly not.

That is not the tree.

And there's a sad story behind that.

The original tree was eventually killed by souvenir hunters taking bits off of it, and this is a direct descendant of that tree.

So the parliamentarians, they came literally within a stone's throw of finding him?

Parliamentary forces were walking around.

They were walking underneath the tree.

VO: Throughout his escape, Charles was protected and hidden by five brothers, the Penderels.

The eldest brother, Richard, was the caretaker of the estate.

CAMERON: And they made it to the house, they came banging on the door demanding access, demanding to search.

And no sign.

But for 14 hours, a man was hanging.

Yeah, and they missed him.

Come the evening, they came down and made their way into the house.

There are many other hiding places in the house and we can go and have a look.

And did he hide in the house as well?

He absolutely did hide in the house, in what's called a priest's hole.

I love this.

You will be amazed when you see that.

I'd love to see it.

VO: Boscobel House was owned by a wealthy Catholic family called the Giffards.

At the time, Catholics practiced their religion in secret.

If a priest was found in the house, they would have been imprisoned and possibly executed.

So Catholic families made hiding places or priest holes in case they were searched.

Just such a hole was used by Charles in 1651.

It's quite steep, isn't it?

I'm looking everywhere Cameron, but I can't see the hidey hole.

Can I?

Ah, well, you've missed it.

You've walked right past it.

It's over here.

It is indeed.

I can't believe it.

It's a tiny hole, isn't it?

It's pretty small, considering he was quite a tall man.

It's just amazing to think that in that year, 1651, this hid that man who became king of England and restored the monarchy.

It's quite moving.

VO: Charles spent the night cramped in his hidey hole beneath the floorboards and then for the next six weeks disguised himself as a common man before escaping to France.

He would return nine years later and take his rightful place on the throne.

What do you think, Cameron, would have happened if our future king had been caught and taken away by the parliamentarians?

It would've been a matter of life or death?

CAMERON: It could have been, and he could easily have found himself on trial in the same sort of scenario as his father had gone through, which resulted in him having his head cut off.

So it could have gone very badly.

It could have redefined our country, our history.

That is entirely possible.

Frightening, isn't it?

VO: Boscobel House and the Royal Oak represent a crossroads in British history.

Without them, there may not have been a monarchy today, and Britain would be a very different place.

Interesting.

VO: Now... Raj should be en route to his next shop in Weston Heath.

He's had a busy morning... and has already picked up three items.

I bought something I think is absolutely gorgeous.

It's an embroidered Chinese, and I believe it's late 19th century, cape.

The workmanship that's gone into it, absolutely gorgeous.

You know, quality always sells, that's what I say to myself.

Quality always sells.

VO: Hopefully, some more quality can be found at Corner Farm Antiques.

Over 2,000 items are on sale here, so lots of potential for our man.

Only £144 in his wallet though, remember.

I've seen a couple of bits in this cabinet.

The first... are these four, really decorative, they're mother-of-pearl decanter labels in this beautiful half moon shape.

Port.

We've got sherry.

We've got rum and we've got gin.

The price ticket is £128, which is a lot of money, but depends how much they can let them go for.

VO: Full price would be a big chunk of your dosh.

RAJ: And then there's this clock.

It's not got huge amounts of age to it.

It's probably about 30, 40 years old, looking at the wear.

But it has got this lovely sort of art nouveau feel about it.

Turn it round, you can see that it's got a modern movement in here.

I really like that.

There's £55 on the ticket.

If I can get that for 30, £35, I've got a chance for a small profit, so wish me luck.

VO: You need to speak with Rosie, she's minding the shop today.

RAJ: Rosie.

ROSIE: Hi.

Hi Rosie.

Hiya Raj, how are you getting on?

Now, I've found a couple of things.

I found these lovely decorative mother-of-pearl decanters.

You've got £128 on the ticket.

What would be your best?

How about 100 for those?

It's gonna be tight, but...

I found this as well.

OK.

This is a decorative clock.

What could you do that for?

The very best I could do that for is 35.

Well, out of the two, I think at £35, I'm gonna take the clock.

Brill.

OK.

Fantastic.

We have a deal.

VO: Very kind, Rosie.

That leaves Raj with £109 to go on with.

ROSIE: Thank you.

RAJ: Lovely to meet you.

And you.

Good luck.

VO: Ah, let's go find Charles, set up camp.

This should be interesting.

Ah, the great outdoors.

Not exactly roughing it though, are we, gents?

RAJ: Charles?

CHARLES: Raj.

When you said you were going to do the cooking, I didn't know you were going to do breakfast and dinner all in one go.

You deserve a feast.

You've had a difficult last auction and this is for you to feel the energy across the Shropshire hills coming again.

My goodness, who do you think you are?

RAJ: Raymond Hanson?

(THEY CHUCKLE) OK.

Enjoy the waters.

I tell you, it's lovely.

I can't wait for you to get in here Charles.

Raj, can I ask you a question?

Oh, here we go.

What's your headdress?

It's just to keep my head warm really.

CHARLES: Yeah.

RAJ: But to be honest, I'm not sure I really need it because it's actually quite mild tonight, isn't it?

Yes, it is quite mild.

Shall I just get rid of it?

Yeah.

Feel like I'll be naked without it.

You want to see me naked?

There you go.

CHARLES: (CHUCKLES) RAJ: There you go.

Look.

CHARLES: Oh Raj Bisram.

RAJ: OK. Look at that.

CHARLES: Mwah.

And this, Raj... RAJ: You really do have... CHARLES: I kid you not.

RAJ: Oh, no, no.

RAJ: Sausage on the floor.

CHARLES: I've dropped a banger.

RAJ: I'm not eating that.

CHARLES: Course you can.

I can't.

I can't.

I can't eat it.

CHARLES: Listen, it's fine.

RAJ: Don't believe it.

Have a sausage.

Normally the chef has to cook it and try it.

So you try it!

Oh no!

No!

No!

No!

VO: Oh dear, always worth bearing in mind safety with gas barbecues.

Maybe time to order a takeaway, gents.

RAJ: Oh no!

VO: Nighty-night.

CHARLES: Raj!

RAJ: Oh no.

RAJ: Oh, he's a liability!

CHARLES: Raj!

RAJ: He's a liability!

CHARLES: Look what's happened!

Raj, we're gonna eat this.

OK?

It's fine.

VO: It's a new day in Shropshire.

After clearing up last night's mess, the boys are back on the road.

(YAWNS) Charles, you're tired.

I'm tired.

I heard cows and I heard a few larks.

I think that was a bird, could have been your snoring.

All I could hear was a... (SNORES) Yeah, yeah, yeah.

VO: Nothing like a drive to blow away the cobwebs.

Yesterday, Charles parted with just a smidgen of his kitty, purchasing a pair of art deco jugs.

And that, to me, is quite grotesque.

VO: So he still has £493 to spend today.

Raj, meanwhile, was a busy beaver... ..buying a 19th century large stoneware jug, a child's croquet set, a 19th century Chinese cape...

This is lovely.

VO: ..and an art-nouveau-style silver framed clock, which leaves him with just £109 for today's shopping.

Oh dear.

What's going on here?

Raj, bounce.

CHARLES: (GRUNTS) RAJ: You had the handbrake on!

VO: Ha-ha!

The handbrake's on.

Handbrake off.

RAJ: Oh, handbrake off.

CHARLES: Right.

VO: Heave, Charles.

Put your back into it.

Sitting comfortably, Raj?

(ENGINE REVS) You can get this out of here.

VO: There we go.

Nicely done.

Back on track - ha!

- the boys are heading to their first retail opportunity of the day in Church Stretton, a historic market town in the heart of the Shropshire hills.

This is the Stretton Antiques Market and it's a two for one shop to kick things off.

A new day.

After you, sir.

VO: Rambling over four floors of a former warehouse, it's an Aladdin's cave of collectables and curiosities.

That's quite nice as well.

This label on here says early Edwardian.

What's early Edwardian?

Well, Edward VII was king of England 1901 to 1910.

So you're thinking, OK early, 1905.

OK, that's what the label says, but never believe a label.

It's more like 1815.

So the dealers are 100 years out.

VO: Good spot, Charles.

This is what we call Mason's Ironstone, octagonal form.

And this style of handle is what we call a hydra handle and was popular in the 1810 period.

You've got the cobalt blue and the dripped iron red, a loose imari, Japanese inspiration, and it's only £22.

That's so cheap because I think at auction that's easily worth between £50 and 80.

VO: One to remember.

Keep looking.

There's lots of quite mundane glass on this section here.

Beautiful.

But what's taken my eye... is that.

It just sticks out like a sore thumb.

It's very organic.

It moves, it's naturalistic and the word is art nouveau, the new style that came in really with the Paris exhibition of 1901.

VO: And from that iridescence, I guess it's Loetz, one of the pre-eminent creators of art nouveau glass.

And it could be yours for £8.

And it's period, so cheap.

That's got to be at auction worth 30 to £40 all day long.

VO: You're in a frugal mood, Charles, but that could be a canny buy too.

Now, where's Mr Bisram?

Now this is a great antique that's still useful today.

Back in the early 20th century, late 19th century, family sitting round at Christmas, the punch being made and them all dipping their cups into it.

There were lots of these around and they were used by the gentry in the big estates.

They were made of silver.

But to make it accessible to the ordinary people, all these things were made in silver plate.

And this one has got some really nice embossed decoration.

What it does need, it needs a good clean and actually it probably needs re-silvering.

To have all these cups with it, there's about 16 cups, makes it really unusual because normally you find that they've all been broken or thrown away or missing.

But this is complete and at £45, this is quite cheap.

I'm going to speak to the owner and see what he thinks.

VO: David's the man you need to speak to.

Let's see what he can do.

RAJ: David.

DAVID: Hello Raj.

I found something, this lovely, silverplated punch bowl.

Well, it will be lovely one day.

It needs replating, but I'm gonna put it down here.

Now, you've got £45 on the ticket.

What can you do?

Best price will be £20.

I think that's absolutely fair.

RAJ: We have a deal.

DAVID: Good.

VO: And with that purchase made, Raj is all shopped out.

Meanwhile, Charles is still browsing.

CHARLES: One word that was all the rage a few years ago was the word majolica.

And majolica was renowned for being quite earthy, quite garish.

And it was a very high Victorian style.

So here you've got these fans in the Japanesque style with almost bamboo work around the outer rim.

The basket weave, the insects, all very Japanesque, but on what we call a majolica ground color of greens, browns and yellows, circa 1880.

If you want style from 1880, they're unmarked, but they're probably made by a factory called Thomas Forrester and Sons.

They're only £4.50 each.

And I reckon in the saleroom, they ought to be worth for the pair... between £40 and 60, so there could be a tenfold profit there if I decide to buy them.

VO: So that's the mug, £22, the plates, £9, and the glass vase, £8.

I think it's time to talk to the dealer.

CHARLES: Hello.

TOM: Hello Charles.

CHARLES: Your name is?

TOM: Tom.

Tom.

Great to see you on this fine sunny Shropshire day.

I don't feel I can ask for discount.

I think there's a margin in them for me and rather than me tickle tackle with a pound here or there... OK.

..I'm gonna pay you the whole lot.

There's not many dealers do that.

Well, that's right.

You're a good man.

OK, thank you.

You've helped me out because I found a hattrick of lots.

And I'm very, very grateful indeed.

Well, that's very... Charles, that's fine by me.

Get out of here.

It's a pleasure.

VO: You've got yourself a good deal there at £39 for the lot.

Thanks again.

Here we go.

Very happy with these.

VO: That leaves Charles with a whopping £454 still in his kitty.

Back in the van, let's go.

Meanwhile, Raj has made his way to Shrewsbury.

He's here to find out how this scruffy, half-derelict millhouse changed city skies across the world.

Nick, is it?

That's right.

Hello.

Hi, I'm Raj.

Nice to meet you.

VO: He's meeting Nick Hill, who's overseeing the restoration of this historic building.

What an amazing backdrop this is.

It is.

It's incredible, isn't it?

This is the flax mill.

First iron-framed building in the world right here in Shrewsbury.

Can I take a look?

Let's go on in.

VO: Commissioned by John Marshall, a linen magnate, and his partners, the Shrewsbury Flaxmill has been called one of the most important buildings of the modern age.

How old is this building that we're about to enter?

Well, built 1797.

The designer was Charles Bage, an extraordinary man who put the whole design together here.

I can't wait to get inside.

Yeah.

Let's go and get you a hard hat and get in there.

VO: In the 19th century, Shropshire was at the cutting edge of the Industrial Revolution, with engineers mastering the use of iron in construction.

The building of this mill solved two problems, how to build higher and safer.

Well, this is really open plan, isn't it?

Yeah, there's plenty of space up here.

Yeah, absolutely.

It's actually further up than you think.

I'm a little bit out of breath.

How many floors is this place?

Well, we're on the third floor now, goes up to five stories altogether and first iron frame, the predecessor to the skyscraper.

For the first time, you've got an iron frame, a whole three-dimensional structure inside the walls, which meant that you could go taller and wider as well and build those larger buildings that before, when you just had brick and masonry and solid, great thick walls.

There was a limit to how far up you could go.

So although this one was only that five stories, actually it cracked the problem really, and laid the way to going higher later on.

VO: Instead of timber posts, joists and floorboards, iron columns were used, supporting iron beams carrying shallow brick arches and brick floors.

It cost 25% more to build than a conventional mill, but the design was swiftly adopted by builders elsewhere.

The previous buildings all have timber floor structures.

And what then happened in all of these mills, they were very flammable, had all sorts of machinery, lint in the air and so on, candle lighting.

And they just had fire after fire where there was a complete burnout of these buildings.

Yeah.

It wasn't about making an iron frame building, it was making a fireproof building.

That was what they really needed.

VO: The building was full of innovations like using larger windows to allow in more light and extend the working day.

Good for business, but not exactly brilliant for the workers, many of whom were children.

NICK: So here we are.

RAJ: Wow!

A great view all the way around.

Amazing, isn't it?

NICK: Incredible, isn't it?

RAJ: It is.

Yeah.

It's the Wrekin over that way, Welsh hills over that way... RAJ: What a view.

..and the spires of Shrewsbury down there.

I can see why it's called the grandfather of skyscrapers RAJ: to be honest, OK?

NICK: Yeah.

Cuz we are pretty high here.

NICK: Really up high now, aren't we?

RAJ: Yeah.

NICK: Skyscraper started low down with Bage, that five-storey building.

As the 19th century went on, they moved on from cast iron to wrought iron and you have buildings, great buildings like Crystal Palace and St Pancras station, huge great spans.

And then, eventually it really was until the late 19th century invention of steel and steel then really opened it up and you get all the huge wave of skyscrapers in Chicago round about 1900 and then on to Empire State Building and everything, all using that same structure, steel frame, same kind of thing as what Charles Bage had started out with, 1797, 100 years earlier.

VO: For nearly a century, the site operated as a state of the art steam-powered flaxmill.

For the next hundred years, it was a maltings as well as barracks during both world wars.

When Historic England took it on in 2005, it was lying derelict.

Now, thanks to Nick and his team's hard work, this pioneering building will be preserved for future generations.

And while Raj appreciates that view, we'll drop in on Charles.

He's joining Raj in Shrewsbury, shopping at Memory Lane Antiques and Vintage.

The man in the snazzy shirt is Ian, the proprietor.

Two floors and 35 dealers' worth of treasure to rummage through here.

Charles can afford to splurge if he wants to.

He still has a sizable kitty of £454.

What I quite like in this cabinet on the top deck here, it's this, so I reckon this humble tea caddy is correctly described, a Georgian tea caddy.

And I think this tea caddy probably dates to around 1775 and I do quite rate it.

But heart can rule the mind and probably at auction, I'd want to buy it for a bit less to give myself a chance.

VO: Better see if Ian is feeling generous.

CHARLES: Hello.

IAN: Hello there.

CHARLES: How are you?

IAN: I'm very well.

CHARLES: Love this emporium.

Emporium?

IAN: Yes.

CHARLES: What I do like is a cup of tea.

It's been a long day.

That lovely oval tea caddy.

It's probably 1775, it's Sheffield plated.

IAN: Yeah.

It's priced, I think, at £65.

What could that be?

IAN: It could be £50.

CHARLES: Are you sure?

IAN: Yeah.

CHARLES: That's good.

IAN: Yeah, could be £50.

CHARLES: That's... Are you... CHARLES: That's really good.

IAN: Brilliant.

Ian, there's 20, 40, 50.

Thanks... IAN: Thank you very much.

..for your time - it's been a joy.

VO: And that's Charles all done and dusted.

And in case you haven't heard, he's feeling very tired.

So better go pick up Raj and head back.

Ah!

Now it really is time for tea.

Raj.

Wow!

I feel like I've had two days rolled into one.

But what a great adventure we're having.

I'm also looking forward to having a meal that isn't thrown all over a field, to be perfectly honest.

VO: The adventure's not over yet, gents.

Auction next, but shuteye first.

VO: It's arrived!

The penultimate auction of our trip.

Our experts are en route, but something is afoot in the camper.

What's on your foot?

I literally just slipped over and tore my Achilles heel.

Not even an exciting story.

So what'll that mean for our road trip then?

Well, this means that you're gonna have to do all my lifting.

Eh?

VO: Huh, that's what friends are for.

Charles and Raj have been all over Shropshire, but they're parking up at Cholmondeley Castle, just over the border in Cheshire, to watch their items go up for sale.

Oh my God, that view.

It's beautiful.

Look at that view over there.

This is amazing, Raj.

We have come... as kings.

VO: Their goodies have been delivered to Battle, East Sussex... ..home to Burstow & Hewett Auctions, where Mark Ellin will be conducting affairs.

And going for 120.

All done?

VO: Raj's five lots cost him just £95.

Any favorites, Mark?

The Chinese silk cape, I think, is probably the most exciting of the whole batch of items that they bought.

There should be some Chinese bidders after.

It's actually one of the highest wish listed lots in the sale.

VO: Ooh, promising!

Charles spent slightly more on his five lots, £116.

Mark?

MARK: The Loetz glass vase has kept its iridescent color and doesn't seem to have any chips or cracks, which is crucial with old glassware.

Just a pretty little item that should sell easily.

VO: Sounds like we're in for a good one.

The auction is open to bids online, on the phone and in the room.

Charles and Raj will be watching action unfold via the wonders of technology in this stunning backdrop.

Shall we call it?

RAJ: Let's call it.

CHARLES: On your marks.

RAJ: Get set.

CHARLES: Go.

VO: Raj's Chinese cape first.

Hopefully he can get off on the right foot.

This could run a bit.

£15?

Yeah.

What say 60 to start on the cape there?

Go on.

50 I'll take for it.

40.

Here in the room.

Yes, Raj.

That's good.

45 online now.

That's good.

Come on!

Bidding's here at 45.

All out?

50, just in time.

He's sharp, he's decisive.

He's moving it.

Still bidding?

Here at 50.

Can't complain at 50, can I?

All done and going here on the net?

50, it's going at 50.

Good auctioneering, Raj.

Yeah, well, I can't complain at that.

VO: No you can't.

That's a great start.

CHARLES: Happy days, Raj.

RAJ: (CHUCKLES) VO: Can Charles keep the good times going with his Mason's mug?

This Mason's mug 20 years ago, may have made £80 to 100.

So... Yeah.

It could well do today.

I'll take 50 for this one.

CHARLES: Come on.

MARK: £40?

CHARLES: No.

MARK: Bidding on this one.

CHARLES: Tough.

MARK: 30 I'll take for that.

Anyone like that for 30?

Bidding on that... Oh, Raj.

MARK: 30.

CHARLES: Good.

RAJ: 30.

You've got 30?

CHARLES: I'm happy.

Selling online now and going at 30, selling at 30.

CHARLES: Raj.

RAJ: That's a profit.

It was such good value, from 1810 for £22.

VO: It's still money in your pocket, Charlie boy.

Listen, you made £8 profit.

CHARLES: Yeah.

RAJ: That is a good profit.

VO: Will Raj's silver-plated bowl and cups pack a punch?

I've seen lots of punch bowls, but not so many cups, but it needs completely redoing.

It's got status and it's got sophistication.

RAJ: It has.

MARK: Say £80, then, for that... CHARLES: Ha-ha!

MARK: ..punch bowl there?

CHARLES: No, oh.

MARK: Anyone like that for 80?

RAJ: No.

MARK: Or 50 I'll take for it.

MARK: Start me at 50.

RAJ: Come on.

MARK: 50.

RAJ: Come on at 50.

Or 30?

30.

Good.

Profit.

Bidding's here still at 30.

Anyone else like to bid on this one?

Small profit.

Right.

Well that's... That's OK. VO: Cheers to that.

Tidy return on investment.

So it's a good buy for somebody.

VO: Up next, Charles's art-deco jugs.

These jugs reflect you and I, color, radiance, flair.

Who'll say 50 for these, then?

Come on.

40 you say, for those?

40.

Come on.

MARK: Yep.

CHARLES: Thank you.

RAJ: 40.

MARK: £40 bid.

RAJ: What a start.

CHARLES: That's good, Raj.

Any other bids for those?

Still here in the room at 40.

Oh Raj.

Last chance and going at £40 then here.

Raj, I've been a bit steady.

I've been steady.

I haven't...

I haven't given you fireworks.

VO: Slow and steady wins the race, Charles.

Never mind, you know.

Damp squid, something like that.

That's right.

VO: Yeah, something like that, Raj.

Now onto your 19th century harvest jug.

This jug is a big jug.

I like it.

I like it too.

MARK: And I have 30 bid.

RAJ: Wahey!

Come on, Raj.

£30 I'm bid only for this one.

At 30.

Come on.

We're up to 30 on the website.

It's OK. CHARLES: Come on, Raj.

Sell it.

RAJ: £30.

Last time at 30, it's selling.

That's OK.

I can't complain.

CHARLES: Raj.

RAJ: Small profit.

VO: Raj is on a roll.

No losses so far today.

Very good.

Good profit.

VO: Charles's glass vase under the hammer next.

RAJ: A Loetz jug for £8?

CHARLES: I know...

I mean, did you rob them?

I... (CHUCKLES) And I've 30 bid straight in here.

Good.

Fantastic.

At 35 in the room.

Thank you.

MARK: 35 in the room here.

Go on, internet.

40 online here.

45.

50.

Thank you very much.

Here at 50.

It's a net bidder still at 50.

CHARLES: Come on.

RAJ: Well done.

Selling now then.

Last chance at £50 here then.

That's good, Raj.

VO: Nicely done.

Our biggest profit thus far.

That's what it was worth.

RAJ: It was a gift at £8.

CHARLES: Yeah.

VO: Time for Raj's art nouveau style clock.

I reckon it's got to be worth £35.

And don't forget, it's got a practical purpose as well.

RAJ: Yeah.

MARK: Say £50 then.

Come on.

That'd be nice.

Like to bid on that for 40?

40 online now.

CHARLES: Good news.

MARK: 40 I'm bid.

A small profit.

Good.

£40.

I'll take 45 if you like?

OK. Just sell it then.

Just sell it.

At 45, again online.

Selling online now and going.

45, it's selling then.

Way over market value.

RAJ: (SCOFFS) CHARLES: I'm joking.

(THEY CHUCKLE) VO: Raj's earnings are ticking along rather nicely today.

It was a nice piece.

It should've made a little bit more than that.

VO: Anyone for a cuppa?

Charles's Sheffield plate tea caddy now.

It cost me £50, Raj.

I think that's not a bad buy.

Tea caddies.

There's a lot of collectors who collect tea caddies.

And the bidding takes me straight into 60.

CHARLES: Good!

RAJ: There you go.

CHARLES: Come on.

MARK: £60 I'm bid for it.

I'll take 65 if you like.

Come on.

One more.

That's good.

Any other bids for this?

£60 I'm bid for it.

You've got to say it's Georgian.

1780.

£60 then.

Going online now.

For £60 here then.

So far, it's all small profits, which is good.

VO: Certainly nothing to moan about.

Listen, I'm over the moon.

When you can buy a Georgian neoclassical tea caddy for £50, you breathe history and you chew on it and you think about it and you think about the history of it.

VO: Oh yeah.

And it's already Raj's final lot, his 20th century croquet set.

You don't often see, Charles, croquet sets and complete with a stand as well.

Say 50 then for that?

RAJ: That'd be nice.

CHARLES: Come on Raj.

MARK: £50, I'll take.

RAJ: Go on!

£40 then, come on.

30?

£30?

Come on.

Anyone like it for 25?

Or 20, then?

Oh!

Gets painful.

Bidding on this for 20.

MARK: Yes, 20.

CHARLES: Good lad.

Good.

Still with the website bidder and going.

No more bids?

Last chance at 20 then, it's going.

Ah!

That was a giveaway.

VO: Ah.

Small profit is still better than a loss.

I know it was a £5 profit, but I have to be honest, I'm disappointed.

VO: Yeah.

And finally, Charles has his pair of majolica plates up.

On a serious note, Raj.

These plates, they were £9.

They are circa 1875.

They are iconic from a time, Raj.

Who'll say 60 for those then?

RAJ: Ah!

CHARLES: Get out of here!

MARK: 50?

I'll take... CHARLES: Come on!

£40 then?

CHARLES: Come on.

MARK: 30, come on.

MARK: £30?

Anyone... CHARLES: Oh no!

MARK: Or 20?

Come on.

CHARLES: Oh Raj.

Oh, if it gets down to eight, I'm... CHARLES: They're falling apart.

MARK: £20 I'm bid for those.

RAJ: Oh you've got 20.

CHARLES: Oh dear.

You've doubled up.

25 bid now.

Go on, internet.

Any other bids?

30.

Small steps, Raj.

At £30.

Go on, one more.

Online now and selling then for the pair at 30.

It's going at 30.

Sold.

That was a good profit again.

VO: All in all, not a bad day at the office.

Raj, it's small but it's stylish.

Like yourself.

VO: Ha!

A solid auction performance has seen Raj make up some ground.

After commission, he's topped up his piggy to £232.82.

But Charles is still well in the lead.

After costs, he has £577.16 going into the final leg.

CHARLES: Come on then.

RAJ: Let's go.

Just think of good old Blighty, Raj.

Here we go.

And bring it home.

Come on.

You OK?

Yeah.

Raj, your crutches, hold on.

VO: Hold on indeed.

For you are going to need support if you are going to make up the £300 gap.

Cheerio!

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