[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts-- [HORN PLAYING] --with 200 pounds each-- I like.

I like.

I like.

Ah!

NARRATOR: --a classic car-- [HORN BEEPING] [LAUGHTER] --and a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

[HORN BEEPING] [GLASS CLINKING] The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There will be worthy winners and valiant losers.

It's fine.

NARRATOR: So will it be the high road to glory-- [LAUGHTER] --or the slow road to disaster?

Pull up the ignition.

[CAR STARTING] NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Yeah.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Great view.

Today, our experts are on the penultimate leg of their road trip.

And the competition is really hotting up.

Holy moly.

This is jockeying for the lead, is it not?

Yeah, well, you have overtaken me.

But I don't think it's quite much.

NARRATOR: Gemologist Kate Bliss-- [WHISTLE SOUNDING] Ooh, yeah, that woke everybody up.

NARRATOR: --and militaria expert Paul Laidlaw-- You want that, don't you?

Oh.

NARRATOR: --are almost neck and neck.

Kate's initial 200 pounds has grown to 333 pounds and 86 pence.

But only 16 pounds separates her from Paul, who has 350 pounds and 68 pence.

Gosh, it's tight.

And I'm on the edge of my seat.

And this competitive twosome are relishing the antiquing battle that lies ahead.

I think we're actually quite similar animals underneath.

It is a little bit competitive.

I think we both like to buy things of quality.

We love history.

I think you're pretty damn astute, Kate.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: You're telling me.

And taking the strain on the journey is a 1960s Volvo P1800S, as you do.

Our experts kicked off their journey on the West Coast of Wales, before crossing into England to head for the South Coast, before meandering to Kent and finally ending up at auction in the Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds.

Ha.

This leg starts off in Kingston upon Thames and ends up at auction in Brighton.

Our experts' first shop is the Kingston Antique Center.

And it's a joint visit.

So it's along here somewhere.

Oh, I think it's that.

80 stalls inside.

Chomping at the bit, Kate.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Forgotten something?

PAUL LAIDLAW: [INAUDIBLE].

KATE BLISS: I'm ready, yep.

NARRATOR: Better.

KATE BLISS: Hey.

PAUL LAIDLAW: 90 dealers.

KATE BLISS: There's a lot to go at.

Do you know, I think there might be room for the both of us?

Big enough for both of us.

[MUSIC PLAYING] KATE BLISS: Ooh, hey, it's plenty to go right in here.

It goes a long way in that direction and up, which gives us room to divide and conquer.

Yeah, speak for yourself.

I'm off.

[LAUGHTER] See you later.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Well, look at that lot.

Don't get lost.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I don't even know the extent of this shop yet.

I am in the antiques labyrinth, following my nose.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: What's Kate got her eye on?

Oh, whoa, I found it.

I have found the item that I am going to clean up with.

Look at that.

NARRATOR: Ooh, look at that.

[MUSIC PLAYING] How's that nose getting on, Paul?

[INAUDIBLE] buy you a new gavel.

Is that excessive?

[LAUGHTER] - Look at that.

[SOUND EFFECT] That's-- that's Thor's gavel.

That's what that is.

[SOUND EFFECT] You could do some damage with that, couldn't you?

A very sturdy [INAUDIBLE].

[LAUGHTER] [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Back to work then, chaps.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Are you selling here?

Is-- are you a dealer?

Is this-- - I'm a dealer here.

So I've got a cabinet.

I can show you something, possibly a bit of militaria that might interest you?

Definitely done.

Lead on.

NARRATOR: Ah, that's milk and honey for our Mr. Laidlaw.

MAN: I don't know too much about it.

But you might know more than-- than me if that's any interest for you.

Miniature, French or Belgian or [INAUDIBLE],, as we would say, yeah?

French.

That's period as well, isn't it?

So someone was rather gallant.

These, you know, are the miniatures that are worn, best dress and so on.

So you've got a little continental gilt wood frame.

Rather smart.

A little lost there.

The civil award.

And there are religious awards.

That's a Vatican award.

I don't think-- I don't think you're asking too much for it.

What you got in there?

85 pounds.

But at auction, they make modest sums.

I suspect, if-- if I was being cautious, if I, as an auctioneer, had to put an estimate on that, I'd say it was a bad [INAUDIBLE] 30 to 50 pounds.

MAN: I didn't pay a lot.

So I could meet you in the middle at that estimate at 40?

PAUL LAIDLAW: We certainly won't buy it.

30 pounds, yeah, got it.

Thank you very much.

There we go.

NARRATOR: 30 pounds for the miniature medals?

And Paul's done.

[MUSIC PLAYING] What have you spotted, Kate?

Stuffed in here is a-- what looks like a screen.

One, two, three.

It's a four-fold screen by the look of things.

Ah, OK. NARRATOR: That's the way.

So this is a screen which folds out.

This is very plain.

It's almost got a bit of a Japanese influence in the design, very geometric.

I'd almost say Art Deco, almost '30s.

Not the sort of thing I would normally go for at all.

It just goes to show, you never know what you're going to find.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It's got a ticket price of $120 pounds.

Time to talk money with the dealer, Leslie.

Leslie?

- I like the screen.

- Yes.

Yeah, right.

But I'm just wondering if there's any-- any margin there for you to be happy?

Obviously, I know you've got to make your little bit.

The screen I've got down to 80.

Thank you very much.

Yeah, [INAUDIBLE].

I'm hesitating, yeah.

Oh, go on.

75 then.

All right.

75.

That's a deal.

- Yep.

Great.

Good.

- Thank you, Leslie.

- Everyone's happy.

- Everyone's happy.

- Cool.

Fantastic.

Here we go.

I got some notes for you.

- Oh, lovely.

- 80.

That's for you.

- Wonderful.

Thank you.

Great.

That's for me.

There you go.

Right.

Brilliant.

- Nice meeting you.

Cheerio.

- Thank you.

See you.

Good luck.

NARRATOR: Great.

That's both experts up and running.

[COIN FLIPPING] Meanwhile, Paul's made his way to Woking in Northwest Surrey.

[MUSIC PLAYING] He's here to find out about the Shah Jahan Mosque, Britain's oldest purpose-built mosque which dates back to Victorian times.

Mohammed Habib is the Mosque Manager.

PAUL LAIDLAW: That is stunning.

What a-- what a building.

MAN: It's beautiful, as you can see.

NARRATOR: The mosque was built in 1889 by Hungarian Dr. Gottlieb Leitner for Muslim students studying at his Oriental Institute, which was also on the same site.

I'm guessing in 1889, to the locality, this-- there was nothing like it.

MAN: No, there was nothing like this.

And that's why it's called a miracle out in Woking.

Let's have a look inside.

[MUSIC PLAYING] So, yeah, welcome to the inside of the mosque.

So you can see it's absolutely beautiful.

It's glorious.

And you wouldn't think you're in the UK.

It's a complete oasis.

And all the different colors.

And all the Arabic scripts.

NARRATOR: Although this was a place of worship for Muslims, it wasn't conceived by a follower of Islam.

It's remarkable because people think back and think, you know, Leitner being a Jew and wanting to build a place of worship for Muslims, it plant seeds for thought.

PAUL LAIDLAW: So did Leitner employ a Muslim architect to design the mosque?

No.

Funnily enough, the architect was a Christian fellow called William Chambers.

He was actually a local architect.

And he is the man who designed the mosque.

NARRATOR: Chambers had never designed a mosque before.

So he sought inspiration.

He had traveled to three countries, to India, to Turkey, and to Egypt.

But really, the prominent influence is the Mughal Indian prevalence.

He designed the mosque based upon that.

PAUL LAIDLAW: So does it have its own character?

MAN: It very much has its own character.

And it's very, very oriental and very Taj Mahal-like.

PAUL LAIDLAW: So the onion dome.

MAN: Yep, the onion dome.

We don't have the large minarets.

But we have the smaller mini domes, and also all of the different shapes, the crescent moon, et cetera.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I see, yes.

It's a tranquil place.

It's very, very tranquil.

And most mosques would have a garden or a water feature outside.

So as you're entering the mosque, you're already in a state of tranquility and calmness.

NARRATOR: These calm environs would soon attract many Muslims to pray, including Abdul Karim, Queen Victoria's Indian Secretary and confidante.

[MUSIC PLAYING] But this grand structure would soon fall into decline.

Sadly, in 10 years after the mosque was built, Leitner sadly passed away.

And then, because there was no Muslims living in the locality, the mosque was left to its devices for just over 10 years, where it was unmaintained.

NARRATOR: But this did not last long.

A wealthy Indian benefactor, together with English converts, helped restore the mosque to its former glory.

One of these converts would eventually go on to play a major role in spreading the word of Islam.

Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, who was actually the first individual to translate or transliterate the Holy Koran into English.

When I say first person, his was the most accurate translation that was accepted by scholars throughout the world.

PAUL LAIDLAW: So Pickthall accepts the faith, worships here, and brings about the widely-accepted English translation of the Koran?

Yeah, and even till today, his is the most famous, the most heavily printed.

NARRATOR: It's amazing to think that the influence of this tiny mosque in Surrey is still felt around the Muslim world today.

Meanwhile, Kate has made her way to East Molesey.

She's visiting her second shop of the day, the Hampton Court Emporium.

How grand.

KATE BLISS: Hello there.

- Hi.

I'm Kate.

Nice to meet you, Kate.

My name is Lisa.

And this is Valerie.

- Hi there.

Nice to meet you.

KATE BLISS: This really is an emporium, isn't it?

WOMAN: It is indeed.

KATE BLISS: Is it all right if I have a look around?

WOMAN: Absolutely.

Give a shout if you need anything.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Lots to get your teeth into here, Kate.

Now compacts are undergoing a little bit of a resurgence at the moment.

I'm always on the lookout for an unusual one.

And in here is something a little bit more interesting.

But I can't get at it.

NARRATOR: It sounds like a job for the boss.

Oh, Lisa.

Hi there.

Could you let me into this cabinet please?

Would that be all right?

Yeah, sure.

I'd quite like to have a look at that, if I may?

Absolutely.

This is a lovely little cabinet, isn't it, full of nice things?

WOMAN: She has some lovely pieces in here.

There you go.

- Great.

Right.

Let's have a closer look.

I love the shape of these.

They've gone to the trouble of just recessing that.

I love this detail on here, which is what just raises it out of the ordinary for me.

And these little glass square cut stones are actually simulating caliber cut rubies, aren't they?

Let's open it up, check the inside.

And there we have a fantastic British name, British made.

And that's Stratton.

NARRATOR: Stratton of Mayfair started making compacts in the roaring '20s.

And this one sports a ticket price of 44 pounds.

I would like to give somewhere between 20 and 25-ish, ideally.

But I don't know whether that fits for you.

Or-- Let me-- let me make a phone call.

And I shall have an answer momentarily.

Brilliant.

Thank you very much indeed.

- You're very welcome.

- Great.

Let me stick that back in there.

Super.

NARRATOR: That one's possible.

What else have you spied?

Now here is an interesting item that I found.

You see quite a few opera glasses about.

And some can be really decorative little cabinet pieces.

But it's not often that you see some with a name like that on them, Tiffany's and Co. And they've got all the quality that you would associate with the Tiffany store, mother of pearl and lovely brass gilt metal mounts.

But at 165 pounds, they're a little bit out of my budget.

NARRATOR: Best stick with the compact then.

And get back into focus.

She could do 32 on that.

If it's 32, I'll take the compact.

Thank you very much indeed.

You're very welcome.

Lovely.

I shall bring it up to the counter and wrap it up.

KATE BLISS: Great.

Thank you very much indeed.

WOMAN: You're welcome.

Well, 32 is a little bit more than I was intending to pay.

But if that's the price, that's the price.

And I'm a sucker for a compact.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Got your eye on something else?

Now I've just spotted a really interesting piece in here.

Tucked in amongst the silver plate is a corkscrew.

Now a corkscrew is an example of a really traditional antique.

But in a market where traditional pieces are actually really nosediving, the corkscrew has remained relatively buoyant.

This little bit down here is called the helix, or the worm.

And with corkscrews, that is the first thing I always check.

Because with loads of use, that's the bit that takes the strain.

And very often, they're broken off.

And I can see that this one is in really good order.

And to finish it off at the top, you've got a beautifully turned bone handle with a brush.

What was the brush for?

Well, when you went to select your vintage bottle from the dirty, musty cellar, you pulled it out.

And so the dirt from the outside didn't get in the inside.

You dust off first.

A price tag, I think.

It says 68.

So let's see what sort of price we can get.

Lisa, hi there.

I just spotted your corkscrew here.

That's a lovely piece.

Is there any leeway on that?

I could-- I could do 45 on this.

45 works for me, if that's all right with you?

- Fantastic.

- Great.

You've got a deal.

- Excellent.

Lovely.

Hey, I don't suppose you got a bottle to go with it, have you?

NARRATOR: Hey, you're still on duty, Kate.

Oh, we keep those hidden around the back.

Oh, do you?

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Probably for the best, Lisa.

That's a total of 77 pounds for the Stratton compact and the bone-handled corkscrew.

Thank you.

Pleasure doing business with you.

And you.

Have a great day.

Thank you.

Bye.

Bye.

NARRATOR: And that brings a fierce day of competitive shopping to an end.

KATE BLISS: Pressure is on, actually.

It's ramming up, isn't it?

This is the final hurdle, the water jump.

NARRATOR: Well, best get some rest then.

Nighty night.

Good morning.

It's spring in the gorgeous Surrey countryside.

[MUSIC PLAYING] KATE BLISS: Bluebells just coming through over there.

Actually, don't look.

Keep your eyes on the road, Paul.

It's a bit twisty.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Quite right.

And besides, Paul has no time to revel in the joys of spring.

I've got work to do today.

I kid you not.

NARRATOR: That you have, Paul.

You only bought the miniature medals yesterday.

Although, they were cheap.

And you've still got 320 pounds left to spend.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Kate snaffled the folding screen, the compact, and the corkscrew.

She's got 181 pounds left to spend.

First destination today is in Surrey's Farnham.

Gent that he is, Paul is dropping Kate off at the door.

PAUL LAIDLAW: See ya later.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: She's visiting the Antiques Warehouse.

Hello.

I'm Kate.

Hello.

How do you do?

It's very nice to meet you.

KATE BLISS: What a super location you've got here.

WOMAN: It's just fabulous, isn't it?

Yeah, and a fabulous barn as well.

[INAUDIBLE] wonderful, Elizabethan.

KATE BLISS: Is it really?

WOMAN: Yes.

[INAUDIBLE] KATE BLISS: Wow.

Can I have a look around?

- Please do.

Yes.

- Thank you very much.

[MUSIC PLAYING] In here, I've just spotted a hip flask.

Now it's silver-plated.

It's not silver.

If it was silver, I couldn't afford it today.

The lid needs to have cork inside to seal it properly.

And you can see it's still in there.

So we know it works nicely.

But the thing I really like about it, it's that on the bottom, to protect the glass, you've got a little silver-plated piece here.

And that pulls off.

And that's where you put your tipple.

Perfect.

Now the ticket price is 48, which is within my budget.

But if it's going to auction, I need it a little bit cheaper.

NARRATOR: Well, let's leave you pondering that, Kate.

Paul's made his way to Dorking.

He's visiting the Talbot House Antique Centre.

Hello.

Hello there.

Charles.

Good to see you again.

- Good to see you.

- Oh, yeah.

All right?

- I'm all right.

Good man.

I am raring to go.

Excellent.

That's what we like.

I'll hit the trail.

See you in a minute.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Blimey, he's spotted something already?

Eternally the optimist.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Powder compact, 5 pound.

It's got to be silver-plate, hasn't it?

Got to check.

It's a long shot.

NARRATOR: Well, Paul?

This is a powder compact.

That stuff gets everywhere.

And I can only assume that when the dealer opened this up, there was dust and powder obscuring these little marks here.

They clearly show it's English acid silver.

Anyway, down to the numbers.

5 pounds, silver.

What's it worth at auction?

It's cheap at 20 or 30.

It could be 30 to 40.

If the gods are with you, it could be a wee bit more than that.

But you know what?

That's what I call an auspicious start.

NARRATOR: Long may it continue.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charles?

MAN: Oh?

In no time, either I'm missing a trick or someone else has.

But that seems cheap.

So I will have it.

Well, definitely yours, sir.

NARRATOR: Ha ha.

One down.

Anything else?

[MUSIC PLAYING] So I'm in a state of panic.

Because I've reached the rafters.

And I've not found anything other than the initial purchase that was made when I entered the-- the premises, but this.

A few years ago, that was scrap metal, was it not?

Today, that is industrial chic.

So one shop still are [INAUDIBLE] still in folded and riveted and-- ah, but I've spotted the flaw.

Cheap [INAUDIBLE].

Well, it's a nice stool.

It was a back stool.

It had a backrest.

And it's priced at 45 pounds.

It's out of my comfort zone.

NARRATOR: Time to talk money with Charles.

Paul, what have we here?

You didn't expect this, did you?

No, not from you.

Honest truth is, neither did I.

But I know this much.

I know that that's bang on trend.

But you know what I'm going to ask?

MAN: Yes.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Could you make a phone call?

Yep.

Surely.

Could you say, I'm in a state of panic.

And it's not what I do.

[MUSIC PLAYING] See what you can do.

Let's see what we can do.

I'm going to keep browsing.

OK, Paul.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Let's leave Charles to make his call.

How's Kate's doing 30 miles back in Farnham?

Now, silver is one of my great loves in life.

And I can't believe I've got this far on the road trip without buying any.

But I think I might just have found something.

Because here is a beautiful silver photograph frame.

Now, photograph frames are actually very commercial.

They're still really saleable because people love them in their homes.

And this shouts Rococo style.

And its characteristics are sea scrolls and flora and fauna, as the name suggests, rocky textures.

And this has it in abundance.

The hallmark, which is completely hidden in amongst all this beautiful decoration down here, is dated for 1895.

Now as you would expect with quality, it comes with a hefty price tag.

And 175 is the price on this.

I wanted to spend big.

And the quality of this justifies it.

NARRATOR: Crikey.

You better find Hillary.

I've landed on two of your shiny things.

[BELL RINGING] - Ooh, lovely.

Very nice.

Very nice indeed.

What I would like to pay is about 100 to 120.

Could you come anywhere close to meeting me?

Is that any good for you?

WOMAN: I think I can do that one for 30-ish.

KATE BLISS: Right.

So just-- what about if I made that 100?

And that comes to 130 for the two?

Is that your-- is that your rock bottom?

- It is, really.

- Yes.

If that's your rock bottom, that's your rock bottom.

It is my rock bottom, yes.

KATE BLISS: 130 it is.

WOMAN: Lovely.

[MUSIC PLAYING] KATE BLISS: 120, 130.

That's for you.

- Thank you very much.

- Great.

- Thank you so much.

Thank you.

And a super barn.

I will be back.

WOMAN: Thank you very much.

I hope you do come back.

KATE BLISS: Lovely.

NARRATOR: Well, let's leave Kate with her silver and see if dealer Charles has news on that stool.

Paul, I managed to get hold of the dealer.

Yeah, any joy?

Some joy.

And in the excitement of your interest and all the rest of it, she revised her price to get 45.

The very best would be 30.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I think I [INAUDIBLE]..

Excellent.

It's a good thing it's on trend.

Cool.

Great.

- Thank you very much.

- We've done it.

We've done it.

- Thanks.

We're keeping on going.

[MUSIC PLAYING] From the industrial, what's all that about, to the 18th century.

And we're home.

Relax.

NARRATOR: And breathe out.

Nothing spectacular.

A little clutch of Georgian glass.

Dealer knows what they're on about.

From my money, that's an epitome of Georgian elegance.

There's nothing to that.

That is a drawn trumpet wine glass.

What could be easier?

And yet, it's perfect.

Sublime.

Is it not?

That is Georgian elegance for you.

Freeblown glass date, 1770.

Not be far off at that.

What does it say?

Mid-18th century, plain stamp, trumpet wine glass.

Absolutely spot on.

56 pounds.

It is what it is.

It gets me there.

And the price isn't bad.

I'm going to ask Charles.

Charles?

- Hi, Paul.

Could you-- you know what I'm going to ask.

- Yes, I do.

- I'm a trade buyer.

It's a ticket price of 56.

Could you find out what the bottom line to the trade is?

And we'll have a go at that.

- Surely.

- Thank you, sir.

I'll get back to you.

Spot on.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Charles, then, back on the blower.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Hi, Paul.

- Hit me with it.

- Right.

Managed to get hold of the dealer for this lovely piece of Georgian glass.

The very best they can do for you is 45.

It's enough.

And is that the very best?

MAN: That's the very, very best.

PAUL LAIDLAW: That's it.

We reached the bottom.

And that's what we're going to do.

- Jolly good.

- Thank you.

- Thank you very much.

- I'll give you that.

And I'll see you at the counter in a moment.

Lovely.

Thank you.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: That's the compact for 5 pounds-- he and Kate must have made a compact-- the stool for 40, and the Georgian glass for 45.

Wow.

You add it up?

Yes, I have.

And it comes to?

A total of 80.

We agree.

MAN: Wonderful.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Thank you, sir.

MAN: Thank you very much.

And all the best to auction.

I'll take that.

Thank you again.

Pop that in here.

And grab my little Georgian joy and-- and whatever that is.

All the best to you.

- Thank you.

Thanks, Charles.

Bye.

NARRATOR: So let's leave Paul loading up.

Meanwhile, Kate has made her way to Godalming.

She's visiting Munstead Wood to find out how these gardens became the blueprint for the quintessential English garden.

Anabelle Watts is the Head Gardener.

And guess who was the designer?

KATE BLISS: Wow.

That looks amazing.

[INAUDIBLE] WOMAN: It does, doesn't it?

It's quite a sight, isn't it?

I must admit.

NARRATOR: They were created by the celebrated horticulturalist, Gertrude Jekyll, in 1883.

So who was Gertrude Jekyll?

Gertrude Jekyll was a very well-known Victorian horticulturalist.

She trained as an artist.

And she exhibited at the Royal Academy in London.

But she had great problems with her eyes because she developed myopia.

She became very short-sighted.

And that's when, in her, sort of, late 40s, she turned to horticulture.

And how was her design special for the time?

She was, sort of, rather, sort of, romantic and very natural.

No straight lines.

She liked her plants tumbling onto pathways, plants growing over, sort of, archways and through trees and shrubs, trying to get away from this, sort of, regimented planting that the Victorians loved using bedding plants.

NARRATOR: Gertrude Jekyll's artistic sensibilities allowed her to design gardens that were the perfect antidote to formal Victorian bedding schemes.

Like Lady Dorothy Neville and, later, Vita Sackville-West, Jekyll was part of the growing arts and crafts movement which railed against these contrived schemes, promoting a more natural way of displaying the ever-increasing color of garden plants.

She introduced spiky plants like Yuccas into her garden designs and a lot of Mediterranean plants that we think are, sort of, herb-like, like santolina and rosemary.

And this all came from her, sort of, love of silver leaf plants that she saw surviving or thriving in the hot Mediterranean countries she visited.

NARRATOR: Gertrude Jekyll would go on to have her garden designs commissioned as far afield as America.

[MUSIC PLAYING] She was, sort of, tapping into the market of the new rich.

She provided a plan, which was really like a tapestry of plants weaving in and out of each other, all the tall ones at the back and the small-- shorter ones in the front.

They are just so beautifully constructed.

And she designed over 400, I believe.

NARRATOR: And her designs would often contain plants that she had cultivated herself.

She was exhibiting plants at the RHS shows and winning medals and prizes.

NARRATOR: She also provided material for many famous periodicals of the day.

Yeah, she wrote a lot about-- in articles in "Country Life" and the "Garden Illustrated" magazine.

NARRATOR: But she contributed more than just words for these publications.

Once she was settled here at Munstead Wood, she had incorporated into a house, a dark room.

Because in the mid-1880s, she become a very keen photographer.

And so all the articles that she wrote, they were accompanied by black and white photographs.

And perhaps, people don't quite realize that those were the very photographs she took here and developed the glass plates down in the darkroom.

NARRATOR: The fact that Gertrude Jekyll was so well-published helped establish her as one of the leading horticulturalists of her time.

Through her writings and all the books that she wrote too, she reached a much wider audience.

And those books are still published today.

I don't think they're out of print.

NARRATOR: Gertrude has left her mark on gardens across the country.

And it's all still on show here at Munstead Wood.

WOMAN: There's still, sort of, tangible signs of her here still.

Because there are trees and shrubs that she planted that still survive today.

[MUSIC PLAYING] The home and garden of Gertrude Jekyll, this is where it all happens.

NARRATOR: How lovely.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, how's Paul feeling?

I'm feeling quite, yeah.

I feel-- I feel under my belt already.

Let's go add to the glory.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: He's on his way to the village of Compton in Surrey.

[MUSIC PLAYING] He's still got plenty of cash to splash in his last shop, Old Barn Antiques.

Chloe?

Hello, Paul.

Pleased to meet ya.

Lovely to see you.

Likewise.

So here we are.

A long way from home.

WOMAN: In our dear little shop.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Feeling good.

Well, I won't be able to avoid you.

I'm just going to keep about-- Yes, do.

--find some treasure, and come and see ya.

Plenty of treasures here.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: It looks like you could be right, Chloe.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I'm going to pop that down there, if I may.

That's unusual, isn't it?

[INAUDIBLE], isn't it?

So you've got a little chamber stick with an integral much older, I assume.

Late 19th, maybe early 20th century.

But Belle Epoque.

EPNS.

WOMAN: You know all your stuff, don't you, and your dates?

Oh, I have my moments.

I have my moments.

NARRATOR: He's very modest too.

That's a delightful thing, isn't it, Chloe.

WOMAN: It is.

Yeah, it's a-- WOMAN: Quite unusual then, isn't it?

--pretty thing.

Well, I'll be honest with you, I've not seen that configuration before.

But it makes sense.

Oh, I think that's European.

WOMAN: Yes.

Jugendstil influence.

WOMAN: Yes.

Not unattractive.

Not unattractive.

Chloe, just testing the water.

Asking price at 25.

What might you take for that on a good day?

Well, I suppose she'd do it for 20.

But no less.

It seems fair enough.

I like it.

And your price is fair.

Don't take offense.

I'm going to offer you 15.

You said 20.

Well, it's not mine, you see.

So I will have to ring the owner.

Would you?

I might.

If you ask me nicely, I could.

Chloe, you know you and I go way back.

And I love you like a sister.

Oh, yes.

Could I trouble you to phone?

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: So smooth.

I was-- I was trying.

I was digging deep there, Chloe.

[INAUDIBLE].

Yes, I will phone her.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Good luck.

Please do.

WOMAN: Oh, dear.

Oh, it's me at the shop.

Now there's a certain gentleman here, commonly known as Paul Laidlaw, who is interested in your candlestick.

Yes.

Now you've gotten 25 on it.

And he said, what is the best you could do?

He-- she could do it for 20, but not for 15.

Tell her it's sold.

It's sold, he said.

Right.

He's going to have it.

NARRATOR: Ooh, don't forget the money then, Paul.

- We have 10-- - Very good.

20 pounds.

There we are.

Many thanks.

Well, thank you.

It was lovely popping in and meeting you.

Good.

Nice to see you.

All the very best to you, Chloe.

Thank you.

I shall depart.

Right.

Wee Willie Winkie bidding you adieu.

Thanks, Chloe.

NARRATOR: Well, Mr. Winkie.

Best not keep Kate waiting.

KATE BLISS: This car is so toasty, isn't it?

I've actually only got one layer.

And I'm warm as toast.

NARRATOR: A nice end to the day.

So sleep tight.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Good morning.

Today sees Kate and Paul ready to do battle in Brighton.

Hey, it's getting busy.

Well, we need busy.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: It's the end of our experts' penultimate leg.

They started off in Kingston upon Thames before meandering south and ending up on the coast.

With less than 20 pounds separating them, it's all to play for.

[INAUDIBLE] We need some result to divide us.

[LAUGHTER] KATE BLISS: It could go either way.

NARRATOR: It certainly could.

Brighton General Auctions has been bringing the gavel down for four years.

And Paul's brought them five lots to sell.

That cost him 130 pounds.

Kate also has five lots, spending 282 pounds.

But what do our experts make of each other's buys?

Jealous.

[LAUGHTER] Oh, love it.

Problem is, others will love it too.

Period, no condition issues.

It still has bristles for goodness sake.

And the corkscrew market is hot.

All it takes is a subtle variation in the form of the T-bar, or the turning or whatever to allow the specialist to see value.

That is cheap at 45 pounds and could do really well.

[TAPPING GLASS] So this rings beautifully.

It's 18th century, in amazing condition, which-- which blows your mind, really, when you think about it.

Either collectors are going to find this and it's going to fly because it is really unusual.

Or they might be slightly underwhelmed.

The question is, when you look at it, do you think the glass could be 1/2 full or 1/2 empty?

NARRATOR: Andrew Potter's the man in charge today.

What does he think of our experts' buys?

The silver compact, that'll sell very well.

We do have collectors of-- of silver compacts and of silver items in general, anyway.

The Art Deco folding screen, rather unusual item.

It does need a little bit of work.

But I believe it will sell very well, probably 60 to 80 pounds, maybe a little bit more.

NARRATOR: It's a good turnout today.

So best take your seats.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] Busy, busy.

Full house.

NARRATOR: First up is Kate's hip flask.

I can start the book at 10 pounds with me.

Looking for 12 now.

I've got 12 now.

Looking for 14.

I've got 12 in the room.

Got 14.

Do you want 16?

I've got 16 in the room.

Looking for 18.

Got 18.

Do you want 20?

Got 20 now in the room.

It's slow and steady in the saleroom, isn't it?

It's just-- ANDREW POTTER: Got 24.

Got 24.

Got 24 in the room.

Got 26.

Do you want 28?

Got 28 in the room.

Got 30 now.

- They're on their way now.

ANDREW POTTER: Do you want 32?

Now got 30 on this.

In the zone.

Sure you don't want 32, sir?

I've got 32.

Thank you.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Yes.

ANDREW POTTER: Looking for 34 now.

Got 32 in the room.

Is there 34 anywhere?

I will sell it at 32 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Oh, never mind.

At least you're off the mark.

ANDREW POTTER: [INAUDIBLE] at 32 pounds.

It's just over the line.

Just over the line.

In the right territory, though.

I mean, that's probably about fair, to be honest with you.

ANDREW POTTER: [INAUDIBLE].

NARRATOR: Will the gods be sitting on Paul's stool?

I can start this at 40.

45-- [INTERPOSING VOICES] ANDREW POTTER: I've got 50 pounds for this.

[INAUDIBLE] Is there 55 anywhere?

I've got 55 now on the net.

Looking for 60 now.

I've got 55 on the net.

Is there 60 anywhere?

Put the hammer down now, mate.

ANDREW POTTER: For the vintage stool.

I will sell it at 55 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Well, that's Paul off on a flyer.

Oh.

That's a good profit.

That's justice, actually.

Because it's a nice thing.

I'm with you.

ANDREW POTTER: And lot-- NARRATOR: Next, we've got Kate's Art Deco mahogany screen.

I've got 5 on the net.

I've got 6.

I've got 6 in the room.

Have we got 8?

- He's got 6 pounds.

- [INAUDIBLE].

ANDREW POTTER: I've got 6 in the room.

I've got 8.

I've got 8 in-- on the net.

Looking for 10.

I've got 10 on the net.

NARRATOR: Lordy.

ANDREW POTTER: I've got 12 in the room.

Looking for 14.

KATE BLISS: You've got a long way to go.

I've got 12 in the room.

I've got 14.

Do you want 16?

Do you want 18?

20.

Now I've got 20 pounds there.

Do you want 22?

I've got 22 here.

I can't bear it.

ANDREW POTTER: I've got 24.

I've got 24 now.

Looking for 26.

I've got 26.

Do you want 28?

I've got 28.

Do you want 30?

Is there 32 anywhere?

All done at 30 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Blimey, that's enough to make you scream.

Well, I think-- ANDREW POTTER: I got 155 is the glaze [INAUDIBLE].. --it wasn't the right day for full, full screens.

NARRATOR: Now, will Paul be toasting his wine glass?

I've got 26.

28.

30 now.

I've got 32.

- Oh my goodness.

We're close.

ANDREW POTTER: 34.

36.

38.

40.

42.

Got 44.

Got 46.

48.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] You're out of trouble.

ANDREW POTTER: 50.

55.

- Thank goodness for that.

Got 60.

Got 65.

Got 70.

Got 75.

Do you want 80 now?

I've got 75 on the net.

PAUL LAIDLAW: I'll take that.

ANDREW POTTER: Looking for 80 now.

Got 75 on the net.

Keep-- keep looking.

Keep looking [INAUDIBLE].

ANDREW POTTER: We've got 80 pounds now.

I've got 80 now.

Look-- got 85.

Got 90.

Got 95.

Got 100 there.

Looking for 110.

I've got 100 pounds in the room.

Is there 110 anywhere?

It's done well.

I will sell it at 100 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: I'd say that glass was positively brimming, Paul.

ANDREW POTTER: 100 pounds.

That's a great price.

I will toast that.

Yeah, that was-- that was a good price.

That deserves a drink.

ANDREW POTTER: And lot 1-9-1.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Next up, Kate's compact.

I've got 14 on the net.

Looking for 16.

I've got 16.

Looking for 18.

I've got 16 in the room.

Is there 18 anywhere?

I've got 18.

20.

Do you want 22?

24.

Do you want 26?

28.

30.

Do you want 32?

Do you want 34?

And I've got 32 with the lady.

Is there 34 anywhere?

One more.

Come on.

I will sell it at 32 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Wiped your face with that one, Kate.

- You've got good taste, Madam.

- I know.

ANDREW POTTER: Yes.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Can Paul's compact fare any better?

We've got 10, 12 on the net for the compact.

Looking for 14.

Got 14 in the room.

Looking for 16 now.

Got 16.

Do you want 18?

20.

Do you want 22?

24 now.

I've got 22 at back of the room.

Got 24.

Do you want 26?

Do you want 28?

Do you want 30?

32.

Do you want 34?

Now I got 32 with the lady.

- I can't believe this.

I know.

ANDREW POTTER: I've got 34.

Do you want 36?

38.

40.

42.

No?

I've got 40 pounds with the lady.

Is there 42 anywhere?

I will sell it at 40 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: That's another great profit.

ANDREW POTTER: 40 pounds.

40 pounds for the average copper.

It's a skulking price.

I'm going to go powder my nose.

ANDREW POTTER: And lot 228.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Kate's corkscrew is next.

I can start this at 30.

32.

34.

I've got 36 pounds on me.

Looking for 38.

I've got 38.

I've got 40.

Got 42.

And I'm out on 44.

46.

From 48.

Do you want 50?

I've got 50 pounds in the room.

Got 55.

Do you want 60?

- [INAUDIBLE] ANDREW POTTER: Do you want 65?

Do you want 70?

Do you want 75?

Do you want 80?

Do you want 85?

Do you want 90 now?

I've got 85 pounds on my left.

And looking for 90. now.

Hold on.

And 85 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Bravo, Kate.

That's a corker No-- notice the smiles there.

Hey, come on.

ANDREW POTTER: [INAUDIBLE] Yeah, good.

Good there.

Yeah, justice.

Somebody's got a nice thing there.

I hope they use it.

NARRATOR: Time for Paul's candlestick.

Start this at 16.

18.

- Whoa.

ANDREW POTTER: We've got 20 now on the net.

Looking for 30.

PAUL LAIDLAW: Surely, that's just a start.

ANDREW POTTER: 20.

I thought he said 60, not 16.

[INAUDIBLE].

ANDREW POTTER: We're looking for 22 now.

I've got 20 pounds on the net.

Is there 22 anywhere?

I've got 22 in the room.

I've got 24.

26.

Thank you.

Looking for 28.

I've got 26 pounds in the room.

Is there 28 anywhere?

I will sell it at 26 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Every bit helps, Paul.

Yeah, well no flyer.

I thought it might have made a little bit more than that.

It just got away.

But it-- it is-- perhaps, it's the fact that it's plated.

ANDREW POTTER: [INAUDIBLE].

NARRATOR: Maybe.

But your last lot is silver, the Victorian picture frame.

I've got 36.

Do you want 38?

40.

42.

44.

46.

48.

50.

55.

That's nice and steady, that, isn't it?

ANDREW POTTER: 60.

65.

70.

75.

Now I've got 70 pounds right at back of the room.

Is there 75 anywhere?

I've got 70 pounds in the room.

Oh, come on.

That sounded cheap to me.

ANDREW POTTER: [INAUDIBLE] 75 now.

All done at 70 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Oh, well, at least somebody's going to enjoy it.

ANDREW POTTER: [INAUDIBLE].

You were not lucky with that, ah.

ANDREW POTTER: 30 now.

32.

34.

- Que sera sera.

ANDREW POTTER: 36.

Looking for 38.

Yeah, I mean, bonus.

ANDREW POTTER: You want 36 on the net.

I mean, no, I mean, that's-- ANDREW POTTER: Is there 38 anywhere?

NARRATOR: Last up, we've got Paul's miniature medals.

I've got 50 pounds on the net.

Is there 55 anywhere?

I got 55.

Looking for 60 now.

I've got 55 in the room.

Got 60 now.

Do you want 65?

Do you want 70?

Do you want 75?

Do you want 80?

85.

Do you want 90?

95.

Do you want 100?

110.

No sign of slowing.

Miniatures market.

ANDREW POTTER: 120.

130.

140.

150.

160.

Do you want 170?

180.

Now I've got 170 with a gentleman.

Looking for 180 now.

Lucky.

ANDREW POTTER: Got 170 in the room.

I genuinely don't know why.

ANDREW POTTER: While the internet's quiet-- I'll be honest.

--I will sell it at 180 at backend.

Do you want 190?

Do you want 200?

Now I've got 190 in the room.

I will sell it at 190 pounds.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] NARRATOR: Blimey.

Paul's gone out with a bang.

ANDREW POTTER: We've got 24.

It was the allocation of luck today.

ANDREW POTTER: 24 on the net.

And there isn't better luck in this game.

ANDREW POTTER: 26 now.

We've got 28 anywhere?

I think I've got your share as well as mine.

ANDREW POTTER: Got 28 in the room.

[INAUDIBLE] Well, you're buying the tea then.

Come on.

- Come on.

ANDREW POTTER: All done at 32.

[LAUGHTER] NARRATOR: Right.

Where's that leave us then?

Kate started this leg with 333 pounds and 86 pence.

After auction costs, she made a loss, sadly, of 77 pounds and 82 pence, leaving her with 256 pounds and 4 pence to spend on the final leg of the road trip.

Today has not been kind to her.

[GAVEL SLAMMING] Paul started this leg, though, with 350 pounds and 68 pence.

And after his auction costs, he made a handsome profit of 207 pounds and 2 pence, which he carries forward to spend next time.

And that puts him firmly in the lead with just one leg to go.

How exciting.

That had some surprises, didn't it?

Yeah, ups and downs, some good, some bad.

Thank goodness there's one more to go.

NARRATOR: Absolutely [INAUDIBLE].. [MUSIC PLAYING]