VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts with £200 each, a classic car and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

Going, going...gone!

Yes!

I'm loving that bird.

VO: They aim - to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

Yes!

VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Don't I look handsome?

VO: So will it be the high road to glory, or the slow road to disaster?

I'm going now.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

Yeah.

VO: They may be zipping along the beautiful roads of Somerset, but there's a whiff of competition emanating from antiques experts, Charlie Ross and Thomas Plant.

Are you going to be gentle with me today?

I'm going to be so gentle with you, Thomas, you won't even notice I'm here.

VO: Charlie Ross is no slouch wielding the gavel.

He ran his own auction house for 25 years and knows the business like the back of his hand.

One thing I can say is I am now completely lost.

VO: Thomas Plant is a road trip veteran.

With 20 years in the trade, he's a supreme judge of style and taste.

Could be a pirate now, couldn't I?

VO: Our experts started the week with £200 each, but one auction later it's all change.

Are we all done?

At 140.

# I am in the money.

# VO: Thomas made a small profit, so starts this leg with £225.08.

Charlie, however, had an exceptionally good sale, giving him a healthy £295.20 to spend, spend, spend!

Our dapper chappies are heading off on the second leg of their voyage in their trusty friend, a natty little 1971 Triumph Spitfire.

Don't they look dashing, eh?

And snug.

VO: This week's road trip takes us over 400 miles from deepest Somerset, right up to Shropshire via North Wales, before looping back down, to finish at an auction showdown in Bedford, Bedfordshire.

Today we're starting our journey in Bath, Somerset, then heading north via Kingswood in Bristol to the charming Cotswolds and finally onto an auction in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

And we're firmly on Thomas's patch.

He's cut his teeth in the antiques trade in Bath, and members of his family are still in the business here.

So today we're going into Bath, you are going to meet Caroline, my aunt.

No, she's lovely.

It will be an experience.

VO: Not long before we find out.

Ah, the beautiful Georgian city of Bath and, the jewel in its crown, the world famous Royal Crescent, built in the late 1760s.

CHARLIE: Cobble stones.

THOMAS: There we are, look at that.

CHARLIE: Splendid!

VO: Splendid indeed.

Now, enough sightseeing chaps - time to shop!

I can't wait to meet your aunt.

If she is anything like you, I'm in trouble.

I hope she doesn't give you a good deal, come on.

VO: Auntie Caroline runs her shop in an old grocery store, which is now home to cats, Heidi and Zeki and a smorgasbord of antiques and this must be... Caroline the kisser.

Lovely to see you.

Caroline, this is my good friend Charlie.

Caroline, lovely to meet you.

Mwah!

VO: Charmer!

Look after him.

CAROLINE: I will.

THOMAS: Please.

I mean, don't give him too much of a good deal.

Look, I'm running a business here.

I know you are, I know you are.

Oh, that means everything must go.

VO: Including you Thomas, off you pop!

Now, Charlie may have his work cut out in here.

The road trip has been here before and David Harper discovered Caroline's no push over.

Could it be £5?

Just put it on my account.

No, it can't be £5.

Oh, go on, let's get trading.

CAROLINE: No.

DAVID: £6?

CAROLINE: No!

DAVID: Seven?

No, No, No...

I'm going to stamp my foot!

VO: Let's see if charming Charlie can do any better.

Are you by any chance a Tommy Cooper fan?

(MIMICS TOMMY COOPER) Ah-ha.

Just like that.

VO: Uncanny that.

Now, what's this Caroline slipping out of the cabinet?

I bet you've never seen one of these?

It's a bar of soap!

VO: I hope she's not trying to tell you something here, Charlie.

I've got there shades of a Union Jack.

1937.

It's a Coronation bar of soap...

Yes.

..that's never been used.

Isn't that extraordinary?

What a priceless object.

CAROLINE: That's what I thought.

CHARLIE: Yes.

"Guaranteed.

Delicate skins."

Marvelous.

How much is it?

I could, erm... Give it to me?

CAROLINE: No.

CHARLIE: Oh!

I could do it for £12.

Could you?

VO: Not sure Charlie's in a lather over that one yet.

Still, moving on...

Hang on.

Hold on.

Hold on.

It's a little bit damaged.

It's not damaged, it's completely and utterly knackered.

CAROLINE: (CHUCKLES) Well, that bit...

I think to say this is damaged is the understatement of the year.

VO: This Regency desk stand would have been made in the early 19th century, when George IV was acting as Prince Regent.

It would once have held two glass inkwells and a space for wafers but, sadly, this one is now showing its age.

It's clapped out.

I noticed there's no price on this either.

I didn't really want to sell it... CHARLIE: Oh, didn't you?

CAROLINE: ..as it's so nice.

Didn't want to sell it because it's so nice.

Caroline, look me in the eye and say that again.

I could do it for £40.

CHARLIE: (GROANS) I think that is the nicest thing in your shop, without a shadow of a doubt.

It's absolute beautiful workmanship.

Caroline, I am going to ask you a straightforward question here, you can say yes or no.

No.

Right, let's move on.

No, no, no, you said no.

Go on, go on.

I was going to say, would you take £20?

No.

Because I would pay... No, fine, fair enough.

I just thought I'd try.

I think at £20, it might make £25 at auction.

I'm sure, but I can't do it for 20, Charlie.

I'm sorry.

VO: Charlie, I knew you were in for trouble here.

So that's still no deal for either the soap, or the desk stand.

I would never be forgiven by Thomas if I walked out of here without buying something, so...

I wonder how he's getting on down at the other place.

Probably famously.

VO: Yes, how is the incorrigible nephew getting on?

He's down the road at The Old Bank Antiques Centre, where of course, he knows the owner, Alex.

So nice to see you again.

Nice to see you too.

We go back some way.

Yes, a very long way.

VO: Yes, let's not dwell on that.

Get shopping Thomas.

I don't have much luck with pictures, but isn't that beautiful?

Anthony Reed is one of Oliver Reed's relations.

He's also a friend of my mother.

VO: Lordy, do you know absolutely everyone, Thomas?

Now surely there must be something sweet here to tempt our expert.

That's just fabulous, isn't it?

Isn't that wonderful?

Sadly, we do not have the key for it.

So what would you do?

You would put your bubblegum in there?

Put your coin in there.

Coin in there.

And you never see either again.

And it's an original one, isn't it?

Yes.

It's a lovely thing.

1950s.

Can that be very cheap?

What's on it?

55.

How about 35?

I was more thinking 20.

I'll ask about that.

Do you mind?

It's a great fun thing.

It's a great fun thing but, as you said, can't get into it.

Can't get it open.

VO: Alex needs to check the price with his partner.

Just every schoolboy and schoolgirl's absolute dream... to be able to come home, put their little penny in, turn the knob and out comes a load of sweeties.

It's just fantastic.

He wasn't all that pleased at £20.

No, I bet he wasn't.

How about 25?

Perfect.

That is a deal.

I would very much like to buy that.

VO: Well done, Thomas, first purchase of the day!

Now the boy's on a roll.

Look at that?

This is a piece of art nouveau.

I'm just going to move it over here because, you know, my strength is slightly going.

So an art nouveau copper coal, or log bin.

It will come up beautifully.

Look at these fantastic stylized flower heads here.

You've got these pretty, pretty hearts on the domed lid.

And it's been planished, which is hammer beaten.

You can see there's a freedom here.

There's been a freedom in construction of this.

It's lovely.

VO: I think it's safe to say he likes it!

It's a good thing.

Ah, you found our hidden treasure.

Yes.

It's got 85 on it.

I think we can do that for 70.

Do you think they'd take 60?

Probably not, actually, in this case.

Probably not.

Five?

65?

ALEX: Go on then, 65.

THOMAS: Yeah?

ALEX: Yes.

THOMAS: Is that alright?

You won't get in too much trouble?

I am sure I will get my arm broken.

Shake my hand before my arm gets broken.

I don't want that to happen.

VO: Nice work from the nifty nephew - one coal bin and one bubblegum dispensing machine for a smart £90.

But still no deal for Charlie over at Aunty Caroline's, unless she can tempt him with something else.

Stand by.

How about this little collection of napkin rings?

Knife and forks.

What absurd things.

Aren't they rather jolly?

Mmm.

An intimate dinner party.

You'd only have two for an intimate dinner party.

I would think that's very intimate.

Come on, Caroline, just you and me and a candle.

CAROLINE: (GIGGLES) And a desk stand for 20 quid.

CAROLINE: Oh, no, no, no.

CHARLIE: That would be perfect!

Nay.

Nay.

Nay, nay and thrice nay.

How much are those?

They're £40.

They're polishing up a treat.

Would you do those for 20 quid?

I am...

I am Do 20 quid for those?

Watch my eyes Caroline you will do these for 20... 25.

CHARLIE: 25?

CAROLINE: Yeah.

Sold.

Good job you cook.

Oh!

I'm disappointed you don't need the soap.

How much was the soap?

12.

And what were they 25?

Mm.

Can you do the two for 35?

Why do people have to always round things down?

Isn't it nice rounding?

Don't you like a bit of rounding?

Round things up a little?

Oh... Like £40?

Oh, don't start making it more expensive.

Can I chuck that in there and make it 35?

Oh, alright then.

Thank you!

VO: Crikey, a deal at last, but he's determined not to give up on that desk stand.

You're not going to sell me the standish for £20.

I could try one last time.

We could toss for either 25 or 30.

VO: So, if Charlie wins, he gets the desk stand for £25.

If Caroline wins, it's £30.

Stand by your beds now.

CHARLIE: Right.

CAROLINE: Right.

Tails.

Do you know what they say?

They say tails never fails.

Oh, really?

CHARLIE: But on this occasion... CAROLINE: Oooohhhh!

..it has!

Oh!

Zounds, zounds.

Get me that dish!

VO: Lady luck is on your side today, Charlie!

So, our Rosco finally gets his wicked way with the desk stand, along with a 1937 bar of soap and a set of napkin rings from the lovely Caroline, all for £60.

How's that?

There we are, yeah, OK.

I bought three things off you and I have never seen such three ridiculous things in all my life.

And I have to say I'm thrilled with every one of them.

Oh, good.

Oh, I'm so pleased.

It's been a real pleasure to meet you.

VO: And your delightful striped jacket.

Hm.

Now, nephew Thomas is traveling three miles north of Bath to the village of Lansdown, to visit an astonishing monument with a rather intriguing history.

Here we are, there's the tower!

VO: Oh, that is Beckford's Tower, so lovely.

Looking like a beacon!

VO: He's come to meet curator Amy Frost to find out more.

Hello.

AMY: Hi.

THOMAS: I'm Thomas.

I'm Amy.

Really nice to meet you.

You too.

Come on in.

Thank you very much.

I hope it's a bit warmer.

VO: At 120 feet high, Beckford's Tower dominates the landscape, a vast neo-classical structure that was built at the whim of a man who was once the wealthiest person in Britain.

Back in the late 18th century, William Beckford spent a fortune gathering a vast collection of priceless works of art and then built this tower as a showcase and a place to use as a study retreat.

So this is a bust of William Beckford.

He amassed these amazing collections which he would only let people in to see if he felt that you were worthy enough of appreciating what he had.

So, do you think I'm worthy enough?

I imagine so.

That's good of you to say.

VO: William Beckford inherited his fortune at a young age from his father, who made his money from the slave trade and sugar plantations in Jamaica like this one.

Young William was to have a very privileged upbringing.

He's taught by the best tutors that money can buy.

He tells us he's taught architecture by Sir William Chambers, although there's no evidence of that.

He was taught art by Alexander Cousins and the great sort of Beckford story is that he's taught music by Mozart.

But there's quite a lot of myths about Beckford and most of them he makes up himself.

VO: Beckford spent nearly his entire fortune on his collection, which now has been mostly sold off.

But luckily for us, he commissioned three paintings to record some of his most precious items.

And they show you some of the things from his collection that were once housed here at the tower.

Wow, he certainly bought well.

He did and it's a real sort of mix of Oriental porcelain and metalwork.

He was a really big, major player.

Yeah, really big collector, very important collector.

Just spending his father's money.

VO: How very nice.

So when Beckford died, his daughter simply kept the best items and sold the rest to dealers in Bath.

On the road trip Plant finds a Beckford object.

How do we know a Beckford object?

The best way to kind of prove Beckford provenance of an object is to find somewhere on it his sort of brand, which is an emblem from his coat of arms.

And you can see them really clearly on bindings for some of his books.

So these are his codes.

Was he a big book collector?

He was.

He was one of the greatest book collectors this country ever had.

He read every single book... Oh, wonderful.

...he ever bought.

We can always sort of tell they're Beckford books because he annotates.

So here's where he's done three or four pages of annotations for the book.

He's commentating on whether he agrees with the author.

He's commentating on whether he thinks the writing is particularly good.

Most of the time he's quite scathing.

This is a book called Alpine Sketches, so it's a description of journeys around the Swiss Alps.

And he says it's "Quite a la Radcliffe," like Ann Radcliffe the novelist, who was a bit overly flowery in her descriptions.

VO: Beckford designed his tower, not only as a place to put part of his collection, but also he created a place to read, at the very top.

Look at that!

My!

Oh, my, I can see why he came up here every day.

It's just magical, isn't it?

I bet you must love coming up here.

Yeah.

Bring a book, sit and read and you're just totally away from everything.

And that's what it was for him, you know.

Amy, this has been fascinating.

I've enjoyed coming up the tower.

Oh, it's a pleasure.

And also hoping to find a Beckford treasure?

Yes, it's the hunt, the treasure hunt now...

It is!

..to turn up a Beckford treasure.

It's a bit like a grail hunt, isn't it?

It is.

It is.

VO: On the quest for his very own grail is Sir Rosco.

He's traveled 11 miles northwest to Kingswood in Bristol.

He's come to Odds & Todds to see if he can sniff out a deal.

On hand to assist is Jay.

Watch out.

CHARLIE: Hi, nice to see you.

JAY: Nice to see you.

Charlie's the name.

OK. What an enormous emporium you have here.

Any antiques amongst this lot?

Oh, there's probably a few here and there.

Right, eyes peeled Charlie, surely you can find your way through this lot.

Crikey!

It's like a maze.

This is never ending.

(CHUCKLES) One thing I can say is I am now completely lost.

I've been there.

The front's this way.

Ah!

Downstairs.

I need something old or quirky.

VO: Yes, I can spot one right there.

Gosh!

VO: Steady!

Mind the step.

VO: Will do, thanks.

Ah-ha, I just remembered I... Oh!

VO: Lordy!

This isn't easy.

This is not easy.

Ah.

There is a way out.

Oh, God.

VO: Upsadaisy!

Now, talking of Daisy.

Oh, look!

I love your farm set.

Isn't that fantastic?

Gosh!

There's a lot there for the money as well.

A huge amount.

Isn't that lovely?

Turkeys, swans, feeding troughs.

It's wonderful, isn't it?

Yeah.

Gosh, what would that lot make in auction?

Right now I can see the price is 150 quid.

I can't refuse asking, so an unforgettable price on this lot?

An unforgettable price.

The death would be £100 for me on that.

It would?

That would be the death.

Would you take £90 cash?

Oh, my God, that is hard.

Is that too hard?

That is a little bit too hard for me.

It's a bit too hard.

I do see it £100 all day long.

Do you?

I'll split the difference with you.

Would you?

Are you sure?

Yeah.

That's fine.

95, just psychologically a bit of a barrier.

Happy at that?

I'm happy with that.

The farmyard is mine, that's really kind of you, thank you.

Look at that, look at that!

I'm really pleased with that.

VO: Now Charlie, all you have to do old love is to reconvene with Thomas.

As it's the end of another day and time for you to both to enjoy a little well earned shuteye.

Night-night!

VO: Day two and our chaps have the forthcoming auction at the forefront of their minds.

Now, be nice!

CHARLIE: Am I a cheapskate?

THOMAS: A man of means.

CHARLIE: I'm a spender.

Spend now and regret later.

I am afraid that is often the case.

VO: So far, Thomas has spent £90 on two items - a 1950s aluminum and glass bubblegum dispenser and an art nouveau copper coal bin, as you do, leaving him with £135.08 to chuck about.

If that is a deal, I would very much like to buy that.

VO: Charlie, on the other hand, has spent £155 on four items - a regency desk stand, a set of eight silver-plated napkin rings, a 1937 Coronation bar of soap and a collection of farmyard and other animals.

That leaves him with £140.20 to spend today.

(MIMICS TOMMY COOPER) Just like that.

VO: Thomas and Charlie have traveled 52 miles northeast to the town of Burford in Oxfordshire.

I do hope they're looking forward to another good day's shopping.

Are you buoyantly optimistic?

The sun is rising.

Right, I think you're down there.

I'm down there, you're...

I'm up by the round-a-about.

In fact... # I'll take the high road and you'll take the low road.

# And I'll be in profit before ye!

# No, you won't.

You'll struggle up that hill, Rosco.

VO: Lordy!

I need a walking stick!

VO: So while Charlie marches off to his shop, Thomas is distinctly ambling to his.

So what will Bygones have in store for you?

(SHOP BELL RINGS) THOMAS: Morning.

BRYDA: Oh, hello.

I'm Thomas.

Hello, Thomas, I'm Bryda.

THOMAS: Bryda?

BRYDA: Yes.

THOMAS: Where's that from?

BRYDA: Wales.

THOMAS: From Wales!

BRYDA: Yes.

So you're Welsh?

VO: Clever boy, Thomas!

Focus, don't get distracted.

I'll put on the dressing gown.

This is the gentleman's example.

Made for the smaller man, I believe.

Don't I look handsome?

VO: Oh, God, he really can't help himself, can he?

Now, aren't you here to look at antiques, Thomas?

Like this for instance.

So, this is a piece of, erm, it's silver plate.

It's a model I've seen a lot of.

It's by a German manufacturer, called WMF and it's got a very small mark there.

It's not the oldest thing ever to walk this earth, but it's still quite iconic and it's only 20 quid.

That is what I would call at TP back-up if I don't find anything else.

But still might be worth buying.

20 quid for sure.

VO: Not bad, not bad.

So how's Rosco getting on?

Steady on old boy, you'll do yourself a mischief!

Look at that, he is so agile.

Heading for the large antiques center, and this is not the first time Charlie's been in here, so watch out.

You must be Giovanni?

I am, yes.

How are you?

Nice to see you.

I don't think we've ever met, have we?

No, no, we haven't, no.

How long have you been here?

Oh, 25 years.

I know who was here before you!

VO: Back in the Dark Ages.

Now, this place is huge.

Help him out, Giovanni.

What about the cross country skis?

Oh, goodness, made in Norway.

Aren't they splendid?

Great frame.

You want to know the price?

Don't...

Hang on, I've got so much more to look at Giovanni, I don't want to just buy the first thing I see.

VO: Chance would be a fine thing!

I've seen about four things I like so far.

Oh, good.

I'm going to go up stairs.

That's encouraging.

VO: Now, what about these?

Aren't they lovely?

Yes, it says £250 but there's a word after that.

It says, "each".

Each, you don't like the each?

I understand, yes.

We can work it out, we can do something.

They're gorgeous.

They're very good decorators items.

Very nice, yes, yes, yes.

But you have to have two don't you?

The fact that there's a pair of them, either side of a fireplace and, if they were of a period, erm, they would be hugely valuable.

But I like those and I think if the saleroom show them off well, I think they could do well.

Very nice.

You probably do a BOGOFF offer here, don't you?

Do you know what a BOGOFF is?

No.

Buy one get one free.

Erm... Perhaps.

Perhaps if we get to the right money, yes.

VO: Er, even as a BOGOFF that's still £110 more than you've got in your wallet, Charlie.

But someone's not letting go of the idea.

Well, you know what I want to do... Just sit down and relax.

CHARLIE: Mm.

GIOVANNI: Yes?

I want to buy your two candelabra, your two things, but I've got £140.20.

That is too little.

You can keep the 20p.

Well, I'm very happy to give you everything I have in life, but, erm...

It's alright.

For an old man?

Not very old but, OK, yes.

We can do a deal I think.

Yes, yes, yes.

Are you really happy?

Yes.

You've made an old man extremely happy!

VO: With a reduction of £360 I don't blame you!

Thank you very much.

That's really, really...

I appreciate that hugely.

I think they're absolutely delightful.

VO: Let's hope the buyers think so too, eh?

Now with Charlie spent out, bar 20p, let's rejoin Thomas and see if he's any closer to spending some cash.

And like a mythological dragon, he's been attracted by the flash of gold.

This little ring here, can I have a quick look at that little ring?

Little ring?

The ring and the earrings actually, that little box, the whole thing.

So, what I'm looking for... ..is any semblance of a mark of any nature.

There's one there.

These little emeralds.

So what I am looking for is whether these are a gold, or whether they're a silver gilt.

I'm pretty sure...

Pretty sure they're gold.

I'm pretty sure they are gold.

These are screwback earrings.

So you would screw them into the back of your ear if you see that there.

It's quite painful, isn't it?

VO: Best try them on to see, Thomas, eh?

As you can see, I'm obviously well versed into putting on earrings.

There you are.

I could be like a pirate now, couldn't I?

All I need...

I've got my hat and then grow the dreads like Johnny Depp and I'm a pirate.

I need to lose three stone.

Wear make-up.

It's quite attractive really, isn't it?

VO: Mm, very pretty, dear.

So we have a pair of earrings and a gold ring with emeralds.

I do like them.

Could you do them for 80?

Could I ask for 95?

Erm... Can I meet you halfway at 85?

90?

I'd prefer 85 and nine, well...

I could buy something else.

I've seen something else I'd like to buy.

VO: Ah, the Thomas Plant backup item, the WMF vase marked at £20.

Could we do 90 for the lot?

I had thought of 95.

95 for the lot?

95 for the lot.

So that would cost a tenner and these would cost 85.

So... are you sure you can't do 90?

I'd rather not.

You'd rather not.

Well, that's fine, that's fine, I get that.

I think we'll do that.

VO: Nicely done, Thomas.

Our chaps are leaving Burford in the dust and motoring on to the charming Cotswold town of Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire.

VO: Charlie's dropping Thomas off for his next shop.

Right, out you get.

CHARLIE: The Looking Glass.

THOMAS: Looking Glass.

Do you think I'll find something to eat me that will make me grow big?

It can't make you any bigger!

BOTH: (LAUGH) Nasty boy!

Have a lovely time with Alice.

VO: While Thomas finds his way inside, Charlie has an appointment to keep.

He's heading north to the village of Stow-in-the-Wold, where there's a museum dedicated to one of his greatest passions - cricket.

He's come to meet the man who set up the museum, Andy Collier.

Ah-ha!

How are you?

Nice to meet you.

Andy, is it?

Welcome to Cotswold Cricket Museum.

Thank you very much indeed, lovely to see you.

VO: Andy gave up his life as an electrician to devote himself to his favorite sport and has spent the last 20 years collecting cricket memorabilia, some of which tells the story of the game from its earliest beginnings.

Luckily Charlie appears to have come prepared.

Let's hope he's not wearing his box... ..but actually... Now I'm going to make myself more appropriate!

I hope you'll approve.

VO: Oh, look!

How's that?

VO: A member of the MCC.

I'm impressed.

So competitive cricket really began to get going in the 19th century with one particular player changing the uniform forever due to a terrible accident.

Alfred Mynn was reputed to be the first man to wear pads in cricket.

Really?

He had his leg severely bruised by Samuel Redgate ANDY: ..from Nottingham... CHARLIE: Yeah.

and nearly had his leg amputated.

And then, after two years convalescence, he started wearing a pad inside his sock.

VO: Early bats and stumps were quite different to those we all know today.

Bowling too would not be recognizable in today's game.

Watch out, I think Rosco's determined to demonstrate.

How did they first start?

Under arm.

Really?

Under arm, yeah, a little bit like bowls now really.

People have got much bigger and therefore taller and therefore the ball must be coming faster.

If a tall, for example, West Indian, is coming and bowling at you, between him letting go of the ball and me hitting the ball, how much time have I got?

Between half a second and three quarters of a second.

Half a second?

It's extraordinary, isn't it?

VO: Andy's museum pays tribute to the two greatest cricketers of all time.

He has WG Grace's actual bat, and a wall dedicated to Donald Bradman.

This man Bradman, who was Australian, how good was he?

He was the best ever.

Can you put that into statistics?

Average of 99.94.

Which means every time he went out to bat, the chances are he was going to score 100.

Every third innings he got 100.

That's amazing.

Whereas a good batsman today would average 50 if they were really good.

You're a good player if you get 45.

Yeah, so he was twice as good as any other player that ever lived.

VO: Donald Bradman epitomized the enduring cricketing rivalry between Australia and England, one that continues today with the greatest battle of all - The Ashes.

That's a replica Ashes.

That's a replica of The Ashes.

It's always surprising to see how tiny it is.

VO: The Ashes were so named after a satirical obituary was printed in the Times after Australia beat England for the first time on English soil.

Inside the original urn are reputedly the ashes of a burnt bail.

Now you've got a sign up there England, Australia 2009.

That was quite significant, wasn't it?

That was a significant day.

That was the first time we had beaten Australia at Lords.

Which is the home of cricket.

Home of cricket, since 1934.

It's not very good is it?

Completely dominated us, unfortunately.

Do you know, I was there?

ANDY: You were there?

CHARLIE: I was there!

Lucky boy, I wasn't.

Cheering like mad.

That's fascinating.

I raise my cap to you.

Thank you very much indeed.

Thank you so much for having me.

An absolute pleasure Charlie, a pleasure.

VO: Now, let's catch up with Thomas.

I hope he's not going to be stumped for what to buy in his last shop of the day.

Well, I've got £40.

£40.

Which isn't a great deal.

But I could buy a little nicknack.

VO: What's new?

And there's plenty to feast your eyes on in this shop.

Especially if you have magpie eyes like our Thomas.

So this is a vesta case.

So you put your matches in there and you strike them on the bottom, but it's got die in here.

It's quite a fun thing.

It's quite unusual that it's got this gaming... ..set in it, isn't it?

VO: Time to call over shop owner, Norman.

What can that be?

Please.

Please.

For you, 30.

30, thank you.

Would you do that for 25?

I'll go 28.

OK, but that's a bit of fun that.

Isn't it?

That is unusual.

It's a fun thing, it's different.

It is different.

Do you know, at 25 and you've got a deal.

NORMAN: I'll do it.

THOMAS: Yeah.

Cheers.

Thank you very much.

VO: Hope you strike it lucky with that one!

So Thomas is all shopped out.

It's been a pleasure, thanks.

I have enjoyed myself.

Great to see you.

I hope I do well with it.

VO: Time to rejoin Charlie, for our experts now have to reveal all to each other.

VO: They've convened in Upper Slaughter.

I hope they don't butcher each other's items.

Are you ready for this?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Dah, dah-dah, dah!

Dah, dah, dah, dah-dah, dah!

I'm thinking one thing looks absolutely gorgeous.

Do you know what it is?

What?

VO: Yes, what?

Yeah.

VO: Ah, the vesta.

Shake the dice and they move around.

Yeah.

And it was £25.

I think that's delightful.

I would "die" for that object.

VO: Listen, I make the jokes round here, Charlie.

Now just tell me, you know I know nothing about jewelry, these aren't gold are they?

They are gold.

Oh, Thomas, how did you do that?

They can't be gold.

They're gold.

And that's 18 carat gold.

I paid 85 for those, so that's quite good.

Rosco... No!

No!

I give in.

Rosco, I want you to see this.

Yes.

This is my favorite item.

Beaten copper.

I call it a coal scuttle.

Coal scuttle, come log bin.

Coat scuttle, yeah.

Yeah, a coal scuttle.

That's nice.

You've bought so much better this time, round than you did last time, Thomas.

May I congratulate you.

VO: Time for Thomas to pass judgment.

The first thing you will see is a 20 pence piece.

That's what I've got left.

(LAUGHS) Oh, Rosco!

I thought as a farmer's son... Oh, Rosco!

Do you like those, don't you?

I love it.

CHARLIE: Yeah.

THOMAS: I love it.

There's about 120 pieces there.

Oh, Rosco, how much did you pay for this lot?

Can I guess?

Yeah, yeah.

A load of money.

That's worth £80.

Yeah, I paid £95.

Oh, brilliant.

VO: Now what will Thomas think of Charlie's desk stand?

It's completely had it.

But it is a true antique and I have a passion for something like that.

We ended up tossing a coin, at her suggestion.

Right, OK. £25.

Really?

That's very cheap.

VO: Validation from Thomas, now onto Charlie's biggest buy.

The Girandoles.

Girandole.

20th century.

Yeah.

CHARLIE: Two branch wall lights.

THOMAS: Yeah.

Gilt metal and I paid £140 for the pair.

I wish you didn't tell me that.

No, no, I didn't want you to say, "Rosco, you probably paid 30 quid for these."

Well, I mean VO: Huh, dear, he's stuck for words.

Your general dealer will probably pay £100 for those.

Yeah.

I'm a gambler.

I like your style.

Anyway, good luck old bean.

VO: Let's find out what they really thought, eh?

Thomas Plant, your gold is frankly stolen, and will make you a huge profit.

I do not like the Girandoles, those lights.

They could make a lot of money, but I don't think they're going to.

It's really on a knife edge this one, really on a knife edge.

The race is on, watch this space.

VO: We're on the edge of our seats, you know.

VO: Thomas and Charlie's second leg began in Bath, Somerset, traveled north to Kingswood in Bristol then onto the Cotswolds and now will conclude at an auction showdown in Stroud in Gloucestershire.

THOMAS: Here we are.

Well driven, sir!

Marvelous.

Thank you.

VO: The boys' battleground for today is Stroud Auction Rooms, a large, busy auction house with all manner of antiques and collectables poised to go under the hammer.

So what does auctioneer James Taylor thinks of our experts' items?

I'm a real fan of art nouveau and arts and crafts, so my favorite item is the copper coal scuttle.

It's very, very fashionable at the moment and there's been a fair bit of interest in it.

The wall lights are a really good decorators lot and they're ornate and authentic.

They haven't been played around with too much and that should generate a lot of interest.

VO: Charlie began with £295.20 and spent exactly £295 on five auction lots.

You've made an old man extremely happy.

VO: Thomas started this leg with £225.08 and spent a grand total of £210 also on five auction lots.

THOMAS: Thank you.

Bye-bye.

NORMAN: Cheers, bye-bye.

VO: Deep breath chaps, we're off!

This is going to go well.

VO: First up is Thomas's bubblegum dispenser, don't you know?

Straight in at £38.

Is there 40?

At £38 bid is with me now, 40 on the net, 42 still with me.

Is there five?

At £42 the bid is still with me.

45, 48 still with me.

Is there 50?

At £48 still on the book, now, looking for 50.

JAMES: At £48.

CHARLIE: Wow, fantastic.

Get in there.

That's phenomenal!

VO: You said it, Rosco, a sweet profit for Thomas.

Thomas Plant, I'm going now.

VO: It's Charlie's favorite next, his Regency desk stand.

Straight in at £18.

Is there 20?

At £18, the bid's with me now, looking for 20.

I thought it was going to be 80 not 18.

At 22 on the net now.

Is there five?

At £22 on the internet, 25 on internet.

Is there eight?

At £25 the bid is on the internet now, looking for eight?

I'm not selling for profit yet.

At 25... Caroline has done me over good, big time.

VO: Don't blame the aunty, Charlie, the right buyer just wasn't out there today.

Bad luck!

Thomas's copper coal bin is next.

Will his luck continue?

At £55.

Is there 60?

At 55, the bid's with me now... You're a genius...

There's somebody on the phone.

70.

And five is with me, 80.

80 takes me out of the telephone.

Is there five?

At £80 the bid is on the phone now.

Looking for five?

90.

Now on the net!

Go on!

At 90?

At £85.

Is there 90?

At £85 I'm selling...

I don't like to gloat, but that's a £20 profit.

VO: Well, you are gloating, Thomas, and it's not pretty.

Well done though, another excellent profit.

Thomas, if I may say so, it's a privilege merely to be in the same room.

VO: Now, will Charlie make up some lost ground with his novelty napkin rings?

And what can we say?

£20 to get this started?

No bid at all.

£20 surely?

£10 to get them on the move?

THOMAS: Ten.

JAMES: Ten quid for them.

Rosco.

£10 is bid on the net, 12, 14, 16...

Calm down.

£16, 18 now on the net.

Is there 20?

At 18 I'm selling away, to the net now at 18... VO: Whoops!

A loss to add to Charlie's woes.

I'm not downhearted, Planters.

THOMAS: Don't be down... CHARLIE: I'm British!

VO: Thomas's WMF vase is up next.

Bids straight in with me at £20.

Is there two?

Oh!

At £20, the bid's with me now, looking for two?

At 22 on the net, at 25, still with me.

Is there eight?

At £25, the bid is 28, 30 still with me.

Is there two?

At £30, it's still on commission now.

THOMAS: Wow!

JAMES: Looking for two.

32 on the net takes me out.

Is there five?

At £32, 35 on the net.

Is there eight?

Wow!

At 35, 38 on the net now, is there 40?

At £38 on the internet, looking for 40... 40 is on the net now, looking for two?

At £42 on the internet, looking for five?

At £42 I'm selling... All online, probably bought by a man in Bangkok.

Alright, it doesn't matter if it is.

VO: Whoever bought it, they've given Thomas yet another profit!

You are on fire.

VO: Now, it's Charlie's big purchase - his gilt metal wall lights.

Could they light up his day?

Could we say £40 to get them started?

No bids.

VO: Uh-oh!

£30 then, to get them on the move.

Oh, no, Rosco, Rosco!

They only cost £140.

VO: Oh, Lordy!

30's bid on the internet, thank you.

Is there two?

At £30 bid on the net now looking for two?

No, Rosco!

£30 on the internet, now looking for two?

At £30 I am selling away... Our father, who art in heaven... hallowed be thy name.

Oooh!

..thy Kingdom come.

Rosco, I feel your pain.

Thy will be done.

VO: Oh, and so do I!

A shuddering earth crashing loss of £110 for Rosco.

Do you know, it's not pain Thomas, it's agony.

VO: Both experts fell for the little vesta case.

Will the buyers?

At £55 the bid's with me, now looking for 60?

At £60 on the internet, looking for five?

65?

65's bid in the room, thank you.

Is there 70?

At £65 it's in the room now, looking for 70?

At 65, 70's on the internet, 75 madam?

At 75 bid in the room now.

Is there 80?

At £75 the bid's in the room.

Looking for 80?

Wow!

£75 I am selling to the room now.

At 75?

That's fantastic!

Brilliant.

VO: Brilliant indeed.

Thomas is most definitely on a roll today!

VO: Do you know, I hate to say it's coming down to Rosco's bar of soap, but it is.

I have £8 to start it off.

Is there ten?

At £8, ten takes me out of the room now.

Is there 12?

At £10, the bid's in the room now, looking for 12?

12's on the net, 14 sir?

14 in the room.

Is there 16?

At £14 in the room, 16 on the net.

18 sir?

At £18 on the internet.

Is there 20?

Could make 100.

At £22, 25 in the room?

25 is bid in the room.

Is there eight?

At £25 I am selling away, in the room at 25.

# Sweet Caroline # Ba, ba, baaa!

# VO: At last!

Who'd have thought it, a shining profit for Charlie!

Talk about coming up smelling of roses, it's not over yet.

VO: True, but Thomas's next lot would have to crash quite badly to help you out, old boy, it's the gold ring and earrings.

Straight in at £200.

Is there 220?

At £200, the bid's with me now, looking for 220.

At £200... What did they cost?

85.

At £200 on commission now.

Looking for 220?

220, 230 still with me.

Is there 240?

At £230 still on commission now, looking for 240.

At £240 I sell... THOMAS: Wow.

CHARLIE: £240.

Thomas, you've had a cracker of a day.

VO: He certainly has.

A great profit there, Thomas.

There's a spring in your step, isn't there?

Well, not really, because I've hurt my ankle but there is a slight spring.

VO: It's the last lot of the day - Charlie's farmyard animals.

They need to make at least £382... Ha!

..for him to triumph on this leg.

Still, you never know.

At £95 the bid is with me now, at 100.

That is what it cost.

At 95, 100 on the net, 110 still with me.

Is there 120?

At 120, 130 still with me.

Is there 140?

Up to 500!

£130 the bid's with me, now looking for 140?

140 on the phone.

On the phone?!

140 takes me out the telephone.

Is there 150?

At £140, the bid's on the phone.

I want 150.

At £140 I'm selling away to the telephone now at 140...

Yes!

I'm so excited for you Rosco.

VO: OK, so not the stonking profit he needed but it is a profit nevertheless, so well done.

THOMAS: Well done.

CHARLIE: I needed that.

Well done.

I needed that so badly.

VO: Cor, how the tables have turned.

Charlie started this leg with a robust £295.20 and has made a loss of £99.84 after auction costs.

That leaves him with a rather depleted total of £195.36 to carry forward.

VO: Thomas on the other hand, has had a bumper day.

He kicked off this leg with £225.08 and made a handsome profit of £191.80 after costs, meaning he ends up with £416.88 to spend next time.

Wow!

Well done old fruit!

Are you going to drive?

I'm going to drive...

Surely you can afford a chauffeur now?

Come on, you drove when you won last time.

All right.

It's my turn to drive now.

You're a rotter.

I'm not a rotter.

You are.

I'm not.

Brilliant!

VO: Next time on the Antiques Road Trip, Thomas meets his match!

Hello.

He's the complaints department.

VO: And at last, Charlie gets some recognition.

A round of applause.

A round of applause.

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