NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques experts.

Yes, a good weight.

And it smells.

NARRATOR: Steady.

Behind the wheel of a classic car.

Good morning, my lady.

Good morning, partner.

NARRATOR: And a girl to scour Britain for antiques.

Whoopsie.

Come on.

NARRATOR: The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Will be the high road to glory?

It's about winning.

NARRATOR: Or the low road to disaster?

This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

[MUSIC PLAYING] Beep beep.

Buckle up, road trippers.

It's the start of a brand-new week of motoring around Great Britain's B roads in pursuit of the finest antiques in the land.

In the driving seat today is dealer Stephanie Connell, who's up against road trip old-timer and auctioneer, Mr. Philip Serrell.

Phil, first road trip together.

How cool is that, Steph?

I've been looking forward to this.

Me too.

NARRATOR: Our two pros are battling it out in the Lake District, a place close to Steph's heart.

I'm from here.

What do you mean you're from here?

I grew up in this very area about a mile away from where we're driving now.

So you know all the antique dealers?

I know a few.

Maybe I might have a little bit of an advantage.

They're not related to you, are they/ NARRATOR: Their trusty carriage is a stunning 1966 Jaguar Mk.2.

I love this car.

It's more like your glamour driving around being a James Bond in the city.

Well, yeah, but this was the real-- If you were a London gang, and you went to rob a bank, this was the getaway car.

NARRATOR: Hang on.

What's he suggesting?

Let's keep on the right side of the law, eh?

Bonnie and Clyde-- I mean, Steph and Phil will sally forth from Cockermouth in Cumbria, mosey up to Scotland, and then motor south for a fifth and final auction in Darlington in County Durham.

We both got 200 pounds.

What's your plan gonna be other than to whip my bottom?

I'll be lucky if I do a thing.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that.

NARRATOR: Today, they're journeying between Cumbria in northwest England, starting in Cockermouth, and weaving their way through the Lake District to reach an auction in Crooklands.

Oh, Steph isn't the only star to hail from Cockermouth.

Oh, no.

It's also the birthplace of romantic poet, William Wordsworth.

Time for Phil to wander lonely as a cloud into Castle Antiques and Curios.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Bye.

- Good luck.

Have a lovely day.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Thanks so much.

You too.

NARRATOR: To begin, begin.

The man in charge in here is Matt.

Hi, Matt.

How are you, my friend?

Very good.

Now Steph, who I'm with, she comes from Cockermouth.

Oh, all right.

She's been teaching me Cumbrian.

Oh, right.

PHILIP SERRELL: Yeah.

[SPEAKING CUMBRIAN] Needs a bit of work.

Really?

I don't actually know what I've just said.

What have I just said?

Sounded very Scottish.

Yeah, well-- Are you all right, mate?

Anything for a pound?

Yeah, that sounds good to me.

The answer is no.

No.

NARRATOR: I'm not sure you've ingratiated yourself, Philip.

Move swiftly on.

PHILIP SERRELL: I do like that.

That's trying to be art deco, isn't it?

Can we get it out?

Can I have a look at the back?

Yeah, sure.

That's a really-- NARRATOR: Oh, things are hotting up.

PHILIP SERRELL: Those electrics are not good, are they?

Not good.

OK, so it's gonna have to be PAT tested.

NARRATOR: Electrical items need to be tested for safety before they go up for sale at auction, but is it worth the added cost?

How much is that?

95.

I love you, Matt, 'cause you just always keep a straight face.

Can you do 65?

MATT: I can bring it down to 70.

PHILIP SERRELL: OK. NARRATOR: It's one to think about.

In the meanwhile, how's our lady of the lakes getting on?

She's taking a jaunt in the Jag to Maryport.

The town's famously hosted a Blues Festival that's featured Chuck Berry, Elkie Brooks, and Van Morrison.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Can Steph visit to Maryport Antiques, hit the high notes?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: A sweet shop.

I always wanted one of these when I was a kid.

That's aging me now it's in an antique shop.

It's only 18 pounds.

I think I only wanted it 'cause it had sweets in it.

I wonder if it holds the same sweets in now?

NARRATOR: What other goodies has owner Ben got up his sleeve?

We do have this screen here.

Yeah.

What do you know about the screen?

'Cause it's looking like it's trying to be Victorian, but I think it looks to me like it's '50s or '60s.

BEN: It is.

I think somebody added little pieces in.

It looks very Monty Python-esque in some bits.

Some of the scenes are just-- They don't match.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: They're quite comical.

BEN: Yeah.

So what's the price on it?

Well, I've got 125 pounds on it at the moment, but I could bring that down.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Could you bring it right, right, right, right, right, down?

I think the lowest I could do on it would be 50.

50?

OK. All right.

Can I think about it?

We'll carry on-- BEN: Certainly.

Yes.

Yeah?

OK. Great.

NARRATOR: She's driving a hard bargain.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Now, back to Cockermouth.

How's Phil getting on?

Do you know what?

That's an interesting little thing.

So this is a little napkin or serviette holder, and it's made out of silver 'cause it's hallmark.

We've got the anchor for Birmingham.

What you do is you slide that little clip up there.

Then you feed your napkin or serviette in there, pull that down, which grips it, and then you just fit it in your collar.

And then you can drop egg, tomato sauce, porridge, and anything else you want.

You can just chuck it down your front, and no one will be any the wiser.

I think that's a cool thing.

I'm gonna put that on my wish list.

NARRATOR: Good grief.

Remind me never to invite you to supper.

What's this thing here, Matt?

It looks like a baby's potty.

Yeah.

I believe it's a hat stretcher for making hats.

Felt hats.

You put it over the top.

Steam would be passed through it.

PHILIP SERRELL: And what's your ticket price on that?

MATT: 25.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: You're not supposed to put it on your head.

Quite a good fit.

Oh, it's crushing-- Hold on.

I've got it stuck on me head, Matt.

NARRATOR: It's another possible.

These, a lot of these or these spindle bags, were made not far from Malvern where I come from by a man called Philip [INAUDIBLE] But normally, these have got solid-- Solid seat.

All right.

PHILIP SERRELL: And how much is that?

30-- 38 pounds?

38 pounds we've got on that one.

And what's the very best you can do on that?

Well, 25.

PHILIP SERRELL: Do you know?

I might have to add that to my pile.

OK, let's go back.

Sure.

PHILIP SERRELL: Do you know, I'm in an hour in about this five for two reasons.

To make it safe and compliant, they've got to spend five pound PAT testing it.

They might have to do something with the grill.

I've got to pay commission, which means it's gotta make 100 quid.

I'm just not sure I'm gonna do that.

I quite like the chair.

The chair was-- MATT: Well, we can do it for 25.

Can I make you a one-off spirited offer for the chair?

For that?

And for that?

MATT: OK. PHILIP SERRELL: 50 quid.

I'll tell you what.

55.

PHILIP SERRELL: OK, fine.

MATT: OK. 55.

PHILIP SERRELL: Now then, I'm gonna use some money of mine.

NARRATOR: That's a good haul with 25 pounds for the rocking chair, 10 for the serviette clip, and 20 pounds for the hat stretcher, leaving Phil with 145 to spend.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Back in Maryport, and Steph's taking a closer look at that screen.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: It's even more random than I thought it would be.

You've got Winston Churchill, the dog, a fox.

You've got gentlemen.

Then you've got a plane, elephants.

It's really cool, though.

It doesn't make any sense, and I know why it reminds Ben of Monty Python because it is so random.

I really like it, though.

It's super fun.

NARRATOR: It's certainly quirky.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Interesting.

[MUSIC PLAYING] So Wedgwood jasperware.

Something that you see absolutely everywhere.

You see in lots and lots of antique shops, lots and lots of people's homes.

But I think what most people don't realize is the sheer work that it took Josiah Wedgwood to develop jasperware.

It was cutting-edge technology.

He was almost like the James Dyson or the Elon Musk of his day.

Very entrepreneurial.

At the moment, the market for this sort of Wedgwood, because it is everywhere, tends to go up and down, and at the minute, it's a little bit depressed.

So the price is 12 pounds.

And that is a cheap price, but I'm still probably gonna leave it just because typically, sometimes they can struggle.

NARRATOR: It's a no to the Wedgwood, but what else does this treasure trove have in store?

That's nice.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I like this chair.

We are in Cumbria, which is a very good place, in my opinion, for the arts and crafts, and it's an arts and crafts chair.

You might first look at it and think it's missing its seat, but that doesn't matter.

You can easily have that replaced.

This kind of period of chair might have been brushwork seat or canework, that kind of thing originally.

But it really is nice.

I don't know who it's made by.

I wonder if Ben would know?

Ben, could you tell me if you know anything more about this chair?

Yeah.

We've had it a while.

When we first got it, when it first came in, we did research different makers, and we think that it might be a William Birch chair.

OK. NARRATOR: William Birch was an arts and crafts designer who supplied posh furnishings store liberties in the late 19th and early 20th-century.

What's the damage then, Ben?

I think I could probably do it for 50 pounds?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: 50?

OK. Now, here's a question for you.

If I took the screen and the chair, what's your best price for the two?

Well, I'll say 50 for that and 50 for the chair, so that's 100.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: And I'm pushing my luck.

I think I could probably do 90.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: 90?

It's a deal.

I'll take both.

BEN: Fantastic.

Thanks very much.

That's brilliant.

Thanks, Ben.

I'm really happy with those.

I really like them.

Oh, I hope they do well.

NARRATOR: It's a good start for Steph with the tri-folding screen and dining chair at 45 pounds a pop, leaving her with 110 pounds in her purse.

Meanwhile, Phil's traversed hill and valley and made a detour to England's last working slate mine.

To reach the entrance, he's taking a vertiginous ride with local historian, Aleister Cameron.

I got to tell you, Aleister, I'm not too fond of heights, and I don't much like mines.

And I've got a horrible feeling that this is gonna just encompass both those, innit?

ALEISTER CAMERON: It does, but don't worry about it.

PHILIP SERRELL: That's what they all say.

So when did they start mining slate around here?

We don't know.

We don't know the exact date.

It could have been in prehistoric times.

We do know that when records first exist, which is from the Roman period, the slate was being worked here, And.

It was used on some of the local buildings.

So it's like at least a couple of thousand years?

Yes.

At least?

Yes, that's right.

NARRATOR: In the 1840s, Honister Mine employed well over 100, many of whom walked many miles to reach the site.

Generations of the same family worked here, even children as young as six.

A lot of them were for some distance away, so they actually came here and worked for a week.

When'd they stop?

Well, they stayed in buildings like this.

This is an old body, which was once an accommodation.

Eight or nine people would live in there.

PHILIP SERRELL: And in and around Cumbria then, how many slate mines would there have been in the 1800s roughly?

ALEISTER CAMERON: That's a good question.

I would say 30 or 40.

PHILIP SERRELL: And how many are there now?

Well, there's one.

PHILIP SERRELL: And that's it?

And that's this one.

You'd better go and show me around it.

Come on.

- Yeah.

OK. [MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Honister's distinctive green slate is known for its strength and durability.

For over three centuries, it's been mined for rooves, floors, and walls.

It was famously used by Sir Christopher Wren at St Paul's Cathedral.

It can still be seen on the roof of Buckingham Palace.

But extracting the slate demanded a strong constitution.

We're now in the mine.

Yes.

And these guys used to work 10 hour shifts.

You'd almost be nocturnal, wouldn't you?

Yes.

Yeah.

PHILIP SERRELL: 'Cause you know, in the winter, could you imagine working down here?

ALEISTER CAMERON: That's right.

PHILIP SERRELL: You'd come down in the dark and go out in the dark.

So these working conditions, they must have just been pretty awful, really.

Yes.

They weren't good.

They were used to it, though.

Here's something interesting.

What's that then?

This is a drill hold, and you'll see it's triangular in shape.

And that would be a drill hold driven by hand.

But what for?

Well, put your charges in.

PHILIP SERRELL: So basically, you drill a hole, pack it with explosives, and that's how you blew it apart?

Blew it apart and get the rock out?

You'd put a fuse in, and you'd light the fuse, and you'd get yourself out.

I'm all for that bit.

The explosion took place.

You'd wait a few minutes.

You'd come back in.

But there's gotta be a real skill in that, hasn't it?

Oh, yeah.

You don't want it to blow to smithereens.

That was extremely skillful.

NARRATOR: The growth of industrial towns in the north of England in the 18th and 19th centuries saw a surge in demand for slate roofing.

To meet that demand, the workers at Honister blasted out an incredible 11 miles of tunnels.

ALEISTER CAMERON: We are coming into a large chamber here.

This was worked out over probably a couple hundred years.

PHILIP SERRELL: This would have been just one solid lump of slate?

And this has all been quarried out?

ALEISTER CAMERON: That's correct.

So this wasn't like an underground cave?

No.

It wasn't a natural cave, no.

PHILIP SERRELL: Where did we get the expertise from to be miners?

ALEISTER CAMERON: The expertise came over from skilled miners from southern Germany and northern Austria who Queen Elizabeth I brought over quite early on in her reign.

And because she was really worried that we weren't very good in this country at producing our own copper-- Our own little European economic community?

ALEISTER CAMERON: That's right.

Way in advance.

ALEISTER CAMERON: Absolutely.

NARRATOR: At the height of production, Honister needed an effective way to move the 20 tons of slate it produced every day.

This track here, that's the old Indiana-- That's not Indiana Jones, is it?

ALEISTER CAMERON: It's a two-foot gauge rail track.

PHILIP SERRELL: And that must have made a massive difference there working?

- It did.

There were quite a few miles of it laid, three or four miles laid in the Honister area.

PHILIP SERRELL: Those engines were driven-- I mean-- - No, no.

They were pushed.

The trucks were pushed.

- You pushed the truck?

- Yes.

So they weren't locomotive?

No.

Not until the very, very late on.

All underground chambers had rail lines taken into them, and also on the surface of the crag, there was a long incline railway.

So you'd have a truck in here with perhaps a ton of slate in it?

- Yes.

Several.

And then you got to push it out?

- Yes.

- Do you know what?

This has been very informative, but I can't wait to get out of here.

- OK.

Right.

Let's go.

Yeah, let's go.

NARRATOR: Today, Honister slate is still in demand.

PHILIP SERRELL: Hi, I'm Phil.

Hey, Paul.

Good to see you, matey.

I'll tell you what?

That looks easier.

Then what you do is bashing the slate with a hammer.

How long have you been doing this?

PAUL: About 20 years.

Paul, is this this difficult?

Well, do you want a go?

Of course I do.

So, I get meself togged up like that?

Yeah.

I've watched, I've looked, and I've learned.

Paul, this is going better than you thought, innit?

I'll just be-- PAUL: No, not really.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Back to the day job for you, Phil.

Naughty.

The last remaining slate mine in England, Honister tells the story of Cumbria's important role in Britain's industrial heritage thanks in no small part to the dedication and skill of generations of miners.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Steph, meanwhile, is heading 15 miles west of Honister Pass and finds herself safely near a sea level in Egremont.

So we're off to Egremont, which is home of the world curling championships.

So for Egremont, we'll see how we get on.

NARRATOR: Turn that frown upside down, Steph.

A second stop of the day is Egremont Antiques.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is a small bit of kit, and I know straightaway I can't afford it.

It's 600 pounds.

Urbanized style bracket clock, probably late Victorian.

It's got a Wolverhampton maker's name, which is W. Corke But I just think it's a smart bit of kit, very high Victorian, this classical design.

I just really like this clock.

NARRATOR: It's a stylish find, Steph, but your pockets aren't that deep, I'm afraid.

Time to move on.

Now these are a bit conch of character.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Some sort of Islamic art type ewer.

Looks like it has got age to it.

And he's cool.

It could be any age.

You could have a great deal of age to it, or it could be relatively modern.

It's really difficult to judge.

A primitive African Benin-style bronze elephant sculpture.

I quite like that.

I don't know why I like these two, but I do.

NARRATOR: Time to call in dealer David methinks.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: David, do you know anything more about these?

I don't know much about them at all.

We're in the same boat, then.

Yep.

They've just been put to one side for further investigation, but-- Do you have any idea then even with regard to price for either of them?

Or actually as a pair?

DAVID: I could do 35 pounds on the two.

I will have a think.

I'm gonna carry on looking around, and then I'll come back to you.

DAVID: Yep.

Great.

NARRATOR: Think hard then, Steph.

Without any markings to show their provenance, they're a bit of a gamble.

[MUSIC PLAYING] This is quite a smart mirror.

This'll be an oak mirror.

Now on style, I'm guessing that it's early 20th-century.

I think it's nice.

I could see it on a dressing table.

It's a usable thing.

It's something that's actually practical for your home.

It's in good condition, looks to be.

Let's have a look, look at the back.

Yep.

Looks to be pretty good condition to be fair, but it doesn't have any price on it or any more information.

So I shall have to ask David how much it is.

NARRATOR: David?

You're needed again.

Stand hardly.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: David, can you tell me anything about this mirror?

Hasn't got a price on it, or any details, or anything.

I think it's about 1920s, '30s?

Yep.

I've got 20 pounds on it.

20 pounds on it?

DAVID: Didn't cost me a lot, so-- Great.

For 20, I'll take it.

- Yep.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Thanks very much.

I'll take it.

Yeah, I'll take it.

I'll not say no at 20.

That's great.

NARRATOR: How about the ewer and the [INAUDIBLE] lamp?

You said 35.

Is there any room on the 35?

I could do 30 for yous.

You could do 30?

You wouldn't do any less than that?

I can't do any less than that.

30?

Then I'll take them.

That's a deal.

Thanks very much.

All right, well that's great.

I hope they do well at the auction.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Yeah, me too.

NARRATOR: It's another successful shot for Steph with the mirror coming in at a very reasonable 20 pounds and the ewer and elephant sculpture 30 combined.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's the end of the day and time for our two antiquers to reunite.

Well, you were right.

It rains up here.

It does.

PHILIP SERRELL: It does rain up here, and I should have brought some thermals.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Yep.

- Yeah.

You'll know for next time.

Absolutely right.

NARRATOR: Well, I hope you've got a thick pair of pajamas then.

Nighty night.

Good morning.

Surprise surprise, it's overcast in Cumbria, but there's a ray of sunshine behind the wheel.

You're in charge of navigation.

Where on Earth are we going?

Well, once you get to a lake, stop.

OK. STEPHANIE CONNELL: Yeah?

I think I'm going up a mountain now.

NARRATOR: We're exploring the Lake District in a Jaguar Mk.2, just like in "Withanil and I."

Let's hope our duo get on a little better, eh?

PHILIP SERRELL: Where on Earth are you taking me?

Into a cloud.

I think we've basically just traveled-- Is this on the-- Is this on-- on a map?

Oh, well.

Because look.

It's a public bridleway.

This is a public bridleway.

This isn't a road.

I think this isn't going to work.

NARRATOR: No, It doesn't bode well, does it?

Dear, oh, dear.

Anyway, yesterday, Steph spent 140 pounds on a screen, a chair, a mirror, a ewer, and an elephant.

Oh, I hope they do well.

NARRATOR: Yeah.

Phil meanwhile spent a mere 55 pounds on three lot, including a hat stretcher, a rocking chair, and that napkin holder.

What's the verdict then, Steph?

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's a little serviette holder clip thingy.

PHILIP SERRELL: Now then, I've got a question for you.

Do posh people say serviette or napkin?

Napkin probably, do they.

- Do they?

- I don't know.

You'd have to ask a posh person.

PHILIP SERRELL: But I know what-- yeah.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: You're asking the wrong person.

Steph, you are posh.

So what's it worth?

It's about 20, 30 pounds.

Done.

Sold to the lady in the maroon top.

NARRATOR: They're not the rules, and you know it.

It's a mint cake.

Do you like mint cake?

Not really.

NARRATOR: There's no time for snacking.

With Steph dropped off, Phil's pootled solo through the picturesque Lake District to reach Windermere, home to the largest natural lake in England.

It's attracted millions of tourists over the years, but today, this antiquer is looking for an unlikely bargain.

And what might that be?

It's all boats here.

But I can't buy a boat, but I might want to buy something off a boat.

NARRATOR: Time to find a local.

I'm Philip.

How are you doing, mate?

All right.

Good, thanks.

Yeah.

So the "Antiques Road Trip" works is I have to drive around in an old car, and then we come to somewhere.

I have to buy things, and it's normally antique.

So I thought if you're gonna come to Windermere, you've got to buy something to do with a boat, haven't you?

NARRATOR: Well, you don't have to, but I think you might.

And would you be willing to sell a couple of those?

Well, yeah.

I can sell you an old pair for 35.

You have an old pair for 35 quid?

NARRATOR: Will this float his boat?

PHILIP SERRELL: This was Queen of the Lake cruiser.

What's the best price you can do it for?

15 pound.

Drawn and done.

OK. Yeah.

And presumably, you're a company, so I've got to put that on that, haven't they?

Yeah.

So 15 pound is actually 18.

I've got to pay you 18 pounds for it, haven't I/ That's fine.

Yeah.

OK. That will do.

Lovely job.

I'm happy with that, and you'll drop this off at this auction room for me?

MARK: Yeah.

By boat.

- No problem.

- Good man.

Cheers, Mark.

- Cheers.

NARRATOR: Right.

Late detour done.

Now into town for more conventional shopping.

Let's see what Courtyard Cottage Antiques has to offer.

Hello, hello.

How are you?

Hello.

Good to see you, love?

How you doing?

Good to see you.

PHILIP SERRELL: You've got lots and lots of clocks?

JEAN: Yes, plenty of clocks.

Funny come in to see what the time is.

NARRATOR: Hey, he's here all week, folks.

PHILIP SERRELL: I want something I can make a profit in, but I also wouldn't mind buying something daft if you've got anything daft.

Ever think about something daft?

JEAN: Daft?

Daft.

You know me.

Daft.

JEAN: How daft?

Well, pretty daft.

Can I have a look around?

JEAN: Yes, please.

I'll follow you and see if you see anything.

Well, you've got lots of lovely things going on, haven't you?

NARRATOR: You old charmer.

PHILIP SERRELL: This is a little Worcester porcelain plate, and this is painted by Harriet around about 1932.

Condition is all important with porcelain, and you can see here there's some slight grazing.

And I think that might be a thing to go for, but it's all down to price.

NARRATOR: Oh yes, our man from Worcester knows his Worcester porcelain.

This plate sports a 165 pound ticket price.

PHILIP SERRELL: What have you got that's daft?

Daft.

Daft as a brush.

[MUSIC PLAYING] It's-- What time is it?

What time you say?

What?

NARRATOR: Yes, yes.

I think we've heard that joke before.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?

That's something a bit odd, isn't it?

I think so.

Yeah.

Yep.

NARRATOR: It's actually a scraper to remove sweat from horses to help cool them down.

Lovely.

Keep your gloves on.

One and a half offer for this, right?

I'll give you a tenner for it, but that would be me finished.

- OK. - You sure?

Yep.

You're a star, my love.

Thank you very much indeed.

I'll give you some money now.

JEAN: Thank you.

PHILIP SERRELL: There we are.

That's bonkers that, isn't it?

If I find a couple of other things, that could conceivably go with my hat block.

Jean, I'm pleased with that because it fits my wacky bill.

NARRATOR: Now, what about that 165 pound Worcester plate then?

I could allow you to have it for 80 pounds.

I'll just have one more quick look.

Are you sure about that?

Because I want you to be happy.

We all gotta be happy.

JEAN: Yes.

Positive.

PHILIP SERRELL: Go on.

I'm gonna go before I change my mind, and you change yours.

NARRATOR: The old Serrell charm strikes again, eh?

That's a very kind discount from the lovely Jean, less than half of the original ticket price.

Windermere's proved a winner for Philip, who's now left with just 37 pounds for his final shop.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Meanwhile, Steph's made her way north to Penrith.

The Lowther family built this estate when King Edward granted them the land in 1283.

Steph's meeting Jim Lowther to discover how his great uncle almost cost the family its fortune but left an incredible legacy to the world of sport.

JIM LOWTHER: Hi there.

- Jim.

Hello.

Hello, Steph.

What an outstanding building.

I know.

Welcome to Lowther Castle.

Here it is, a great, big, derelict wreck in the middle of Cumbria.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: It's majestic.

NARRATOR: The grand Lowther Castle was built in 1802 at a cost of 77,000 pounds.

That's around 7.3 million in today's change.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Lord Lonsdale, who inherited the estate in 1882 at the tender age of 25, was an ostentatious character who lived a hedonistic life.

He had no care for the world other than for himself, and he didn't have any children.

So he just thought well, I'm the last of the Lowthers.

There's no more after me.

I'm just gonna spend it all.

So he just embarked on this just incredibly flamboyant life.

I mean, he had a fresh gardenia flower for his buttonhole brought up from Covent Garden on train every single day.

He had one whole railway carriage just for his Labrador dogs.

He had his own orchestra.

He was a great patron of the sports.

He just spent it.

He had a great time.

NARRATOR: Lord Lonsdale was known as the yellow Earl due to his fondness for the color.

So in here, we've got-- Wow.

--this incredible room that we've dedicated to the yellow Earl.

The family crest is yellow, and so he decided to use this color in all of his livery.

And all of his staff uniforms, servants, grooms, et cetera were decked out in yellow livery.

He used to spend 3000 pounds a year just on cigars alone.

So you're talking 1910.

So in today's money, that's about 167,000 pounds or equivalent to about 3,000 pounds in today's money per week.

NARRATOR: It was the Earl's taste for the high life that led Lowther Castle to rack and ruin.

JIM LOWTHER: So in 1935, the yellow Earl finally ran out of money.

So he-- In a huff, he threw the keys of this place back at his trustees and said right, well it's your problem.

NARRATOR: But despite leaving his family in debt, Lonsdale left a positive legacy on his favorite sport; boxing.

The 19th-century, it was illegal, underground, and unsavory.

Lord Lonsdale wanted to change that, and he had money and friends in high places.

JIM LOWTHER: He wanted to make it legal.

So he, together with a whole variety of others and his good friend, the Marquess of Queensbury, founded the National Sporting Club.

And they lobbied parliament to make it a legitimate sport with regulatory framework and with a title of its own.

And so after Hugh Lonsdale and the Marquess of Queensbury, his good friend, managed to get the sport of boxing legalized through parliament.

He put up a sum of 250 pounds, or 30,000 pounds in today's money, for a belt carrying his name, so that he could effectively lay claim to the sport.

NARRATOR: Over a century later, the Lonsdale belt remains a coveted prize in British boxing.

This is a very early example of a Lonsdale belt predating the modern equivalent.

JIM LOWTHER: Yes, and this is one that he set up as a prize in the Grasmere Sports, which is a sporting contest that still goes on today, and that is his lasting legacy.

So Lonsdale is now a well-recognized name because of its association to the Lonsdale belt of boxing.

NARRATOR: There's only one thing for it, Steph.

Costume change.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Hi, Steph.

I'm Charles Shepherd.

I'm the former British Commonwealth Intercontinental and IBF Super Featherweight Champion of the world.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Wow.

CHARLES SHEPHERD: And here's the belt that I won headlining the Royal Albert Hall.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: So the Lonsdale belt is the belt of all belts as far as boxing is concerned?

CHARLES SHEPHERD: Yeah, of course.

Yeah, definitely.

This is my pride and joy, you know.

This is what every boxer wants.

PHILIP SERRELL: Charles, you want to put me through my paces?

I'm a little bit scared.

No, there's nothing to be scared about.

I want a jab, cross.

OK?

Yeah, good.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Jab, cross.

Brilliant.

Big right hand.

Yay.

That was unbelievable.

Good body for.

We start with left.

NARRATOR: She means business.

CHARLES SHEPHERD: Go on, then.

Switch.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, back in Windermere, Phil's run into a spot of bother with the Jag.

You know, sometimes in life when things don't quite go according to plan-- And I was driving up the hill out of Windermere, and I could just feel the front end of the car starting to drift out a bit.

Now, I'm not an engineer, but in antique terms, that is AF, as found or with all faults.

NARRATOR: Sounds terminal.

What's the plan, chief?

But I've got to get to Kendal.

So I'm gonna leave the car here.

I'm gonna get up the road, flash a bit of leg, and see if I can hitch a lift to Kendal.

NARRATOR: You could always walk.

[MUSIC PLAYING] How far is it?

Better go and find out.

Steph, on the other hand, has made her own way to the final shop in Kendal, which is nicknamed the old gray town.

Both experts are destined for The Antiques Emporium, but Steph gets first dibs.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Hello, there.

You must be Diane?

I am.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, too.

And who is this?

This is Nellie.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Oh, little one.

Oh, Nellie.

I don't really want to leave her, but should I go and have a look around?

DIANE: You have a look around.

Just shout if you need anything.

All right.

Thanks so much.

See you in a bit.

DIANE: Thank you.

[MUSIC PLAYING] All the places we've been and home.

Very cool.

NARRATOR: Oh, look who it is.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Better late than never, eh, Phil?

See you later.

NARRATOR: In your own time, then, Phil.

Now, what's tempting Steph to spend her remaining 60 pounds?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: That's interesting.

Now, if I'm gonna beat Phil, which I hope to, I might have to play him at his own game.

It's not really my cup of tea, but I've seen Mr. Serrell playing the game before.

And he does sometimes buy bits of architectural salvage.

So it's an antique pulley wheel they've described it as.

I think at 43 pounds, if I could get it for about 30, I'd be happier.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, it seems the trials and tribulations of the day have proved too much for young Phil.

You comfy, mate?

Course I've got your biscuits.

I could do with a biscuit.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: There's no pleasing some people.

Now, what of that wheel, Steph?

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Diane, can I ask you about this wheel?

How much can it be?

I know I can do that for 38.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: OK.

I'm presuming you would like a little bit more.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Could you make it 33?

If you're not happy, I'll take it at 35.

Yes, love.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: You sure?

You sure?

- Yep.

I'll do that.

- You're a diamond.

Thank you very much.

Let me give you some money.

NARRATOR: And with that, our local girl is all shopped out.

[MUSIC PLAYING] I think you've missed a trick here, Philip.

What have you got there?

Trying to beat you at your own game.

I've got a giant wheel.

Do you really think that is gonna make a profit?

No, that was a joke.

NARRATOR: You just wait until she finds out you've broken the car.

Oh, we're hitchhiking?

You absolutely got it.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: What, even though I've got this?

We're hitchhiking with this wheel?

Come on.

Just take it steady.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: Take it steady?

Come on, get on with it.

Get on with it.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: You're probably the-- PHILIP SERRELL: You buy it, you push it.

Come on, get on with it.

Anyway, I'm off outside, so it's well done.

See you later.

NARRATOR: Well, that's not very gentlemanly, is it?

Time for these two to bid Kendal farewell.

Been a busy old day.

Best get some shut eye, eh?

Good morning.

The sun's finally made an appearance.

Let's hope it's shining on our experts as the auction is upon us.

STEPHANIE CONNELL: What a glorious day.

It is, but you're from Cambria, you know.

I think this is a top part of the world.

I'm just worried that you haven't got some home advantage here.

NARRATOR: Our duo started their journey in Steph's hometown of Cockermouth before wending their way through the Lake District to reach Crooklands, home of 1818 Auctioneers, who've been in the business since George III was on the throne.

But don't worry, they've moved with the times and now have internet bidding.

Fancy that.

Both our experts took a big bite out of their budgets.

Philip spent 163 pounds on five lots, but what does Steph think?

Now, Phil told me he bought this because he thought it said it's a traditional lunch, but I don't believe that for a second.

He got it for an absolute steal at 18 pounds.

It's an enormous sign from a boat on Windermere.

It's local related, being on scale.

Really cool.

I'll be amazed if he doesn't make a massive profit for each of us.

NARRATOR: Steph also bought five lots but for 173 pounds.

What of the competition then, Phil?

I think this is quite cheap at 40 or 50 pounds, you know, but what Steph didn't realize when she bought it.

This is a very rare "Antiques Road Trip" screen because we're all on there.

This is Steph.

This is James Braxton many years ago when he'd lost a bit of weight.

Can't think of who this is here.

And down here, look.

We've got Paul Laidlaw bit more clean shaven at home in the Lakes.

This is gonna make a lot of money.

NARRATOR: Today's gavel basher is auctioneer Kevin Campbell.

What does he make of our road tripper's lots?

This lot with the ewer and the elephant, the elephant really caught my eye.

They are hard to date, but with the amount of detail on it and the design, funky little thing, I think it'll do really well.

They've got the traditional rocking chair.

This is quite a nice design.

They are quite common, 19th-century rush seat.

The rush is in fairly good condition.

There is more demand for rocking chairs than there is for a traditional kitchen chair, say, so it should do OK. NARRATOR: And on that note, pull up a pew, folks.

It's about to begin.

Just in time.

Just in time.

NARRATOR: First up, Phil's quirky lot of the hat stretcher and horse sweat scraper.

Lovely.

Start me at 10.

I will take 10 for a starting lot.

10 pounds bid.

10 bid now.

10 bid.

10.

12.

12 bid.

12 bid.

15 somewhere.

15 online.

15 on the internet.

Join in here if you like.

I've got 15 on the internet.

15 pounds to be all done and selling at 15.

NARRATOR: Not the best start, but it was a niche lot.

Nobody likes horse sweat scrapers.

No.

Maybe it's too niche.

They don't have many sweaty asses around here.

NARRATOR: Seems not.

We've had better starts.

Now, can Steph's tri-folding screen do any better?

And I have got bids.

I'm gonna start at 25 and hopefully go upwards.

25 bid now.

25.

28.

28.

30 bid.

30 bid now.

30 bid.

32.

35.

35.

Anyone else now?

35.

I'm gonna sell it.

38.

Thank you.

38 bid.

Lady's bid now.

38.

38.

Have you all done?

38 pounds.

I'm selling.

Have you done at 38?

NARRATOR: It's a fun item, Steph, but maybe just not the day for it.

I'll swap you your loss for my loss.

NARRATOR: It doesn't work like that as you well know.

Now, any messy eaters in the room?

Phil's serviette clip is next.

Early 20th-century, and I've got 15, 18, 20 on the internet now.

20?

20 pounds bid.

20 bid.

22.

25.

28.

28 now.

I've got 28 standing at the back.

28.

30 now.

32.

32.

That helps, doesn't it?

That's got us back to breaking even, I think.

38.

It's going up.

38 pound to be all done.

40 online.

42 to the lady.

42.

42.

45 online.

45 on the internet we go then and selling at 45.

NARRATOR: Blimey, that's a bumper profit.

You've got some catching up to do here, Steph.

It's amazing.

- That's helped, hasn't it?

- It's brilliant.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Just have a look and see if they've got a messy shit.

KEVIN CAMPBELL: 42 is the royal belgrave.

Yeah.

I reckon.

NARRATOR: Let's see how Steph's dressing table mirror fares.

15 pounds.

Thank you, sir.

15 bid.

15.

18.

22.

Five?

25 now.

25.

25.

25.

25 pounds.

Have you all done at 25?

NARRATOR: It's a small win for Steph, but she can't rest on her laurels.

[INAUDIBLE] that or pleased at that?

I'm a little bit disappointed.

I thought it might make a little bit more.

NARRATOR: Phil's rocking chair is next.

We're going to start this at 15 pounds, which doesn't seem a lot, but it's a start.

15.

18.

22.

Five.

Eight.

30.

30 pounds now.

30 bid.

30 pounds only.

I'm selling at 30.

NARRATOR: Some lucky bidder is going home with a bargain.

Rotten luck, Phil.

That's a silly bonkers low price.

Not for that chair, but for a piece of furniture like that.

This stuff's no money, is it?

NARRATOR: Now for Steph's bundled lot of the ewer and elephant.

We've got started 18 online.

18 bid.

18.

22.

Five.

Eight.

28 in the room now.

30 in the room.

32 at the back.

35.

38.

40.

42.

45.

48.

50.

Five.

60.

Five.

65 pound.

The bid's at the back of the room.

The internet's out, and I'm gonna sell at 65.

NARRATOR: You go, girl.

Another profit for Steph.

Well done.

That's a good price, isn't it?

- It's a good profit.

- Yeah.

Yeah, it's good.

I'm happy with that.

NARRATOR: Phil's boatyard salvaged sign is next.

You'd think there'd be a lot of local interest in this.

50 pounds?

50's a heck of a price.

KEVIN CAMPBELL: Where are we gonna start today then?

30?

30 pounds bid.

30 pounds on the bid.

30 pounds only.

We'll sell it.

30 pounds.

Have you all done?

I'm selling at 30.

NARRATOR: Not great, but not bad.

I honestly thought it would make about 80 pounds.

NARRATOR: Victorian pulley wheels are more of a Serrell thing to sell.

Today, Steph's having a go.

Fingers crossed.

30.

Start me at 20 then.

[INAUDIBLE] - 20?

KEVIN CAMPBELL: 20 pound bid.

20 bid.

22.

22.

25?

25.

25.

25 pounds.

Have you all done?

At 25.

NARRATOR: I thought that would go for a lot more.

It's a very funny game, isn't it?

It is a funny game.

NARRATOR: That it is.

Up next, Phil's last lot and his biggest buy, the royal Worcester plate.

Will it bear fruit?

35.

45.

50 online.

50 online.

KEVIN CAMPBELL: 50 pounds on the internet now.

50 bid.

I'll take a five somewhere.

55.

55.

60.

60 bid.

60 bid.

Take a five somewhere.

65.

70.

70 bid.

70 pounds.

Have you all done?

We are here to sell.

I'm selling at 70.

NARRATOR: Uh oh.

The man from Worcester brought Worcester to Cumbria, and it didn't charm the locals.

Oh, I'm sorry about that Worcester.

KEVIN CAMPBELL: 10 pound bid.

10.

12.

Could you look a little bit more sincere, please?

Thank you.

I'm really sorry about the Worcester.

NARRATOR: Steph's last lot is next, the seatless dining chair.

30 pounds bid.

30 pounds bid.

30 bid.

32.

35.

35 now.

35.

38 now.

New bidder.

40.

40 bid.

40 pounds.

Sell this time then-- 42, sir?

No.

At 40 pounds and selling.

NARRATOR: Uh oh.

The bottom just fell out of that one.

You've got to remind me.

When we move on in our trip, don't let me buy anything to do with Worcester.

OK.

Nothing to do with Worcester.

Only things to do with where you are?

Yeah, absolutely.

That's the way forward.

- Local.

Right.

Off we go.

Keep it local, Phil.

NARRATOR: Well done, you two.

That's the first auction over and done with, so let's do the maths.

Steph started with 200 pounds.

After costs, she's made a loss of just under 15 pounds, leaving her with just over 185 pounds to play with.

But Phil is today's victor as he lost the least after costs of around seven pounds.

His piggy now contains 192 pounds and 80 pence for the next leg.

Right, Phil.

Off to bonnie Scotland.

Absolutely.

I'll take the high road.

That leaves me with the low road.

See you there.

[MUSIC PLAYING]