[UPBEAT MUSIC] NARRATOR: It's the nation's favorite antiques expert.

Yeah.

Super cool.

How about that.

NARRATOR: Behind the wheel of a classic car.

And a goal to scour Britain for antiques.

The aim?

To make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

There'll be worthy winners.

Yes.

NARRATOR: And valiant losers.

Blast it.

NARRATOR: Will it be the high road to glory?

Or the slow road to disaster?

Oh no, something's wrong with the car.

NARRATOR: This is the "Antiques Road Trip."

Giddy up.

[MUSIC - THE MIRACLES, "I SECOND THAT EMOTION"] Well, hello there, and welcome to Hampshire.

Look, ponies.

We must be in the New Forest.

Back in the saddle one last time are antique whisperers Margie Cooper and Raj Bisram.

Ha.

I have never been in the New Forest.

Beautiful and there's ponies everywhere.

Ah.

We're going to see them?

Yeah.

I hope so.

We're on a pony search.

RAJ BISRAM: Oh, look.

Look.

Look.

MARGIE COOPER: Just roaming free.

Gigi.

[INAUDIBLE] Gigi.

Here boy.

Here boy.

Sugar lump.

Sugar lump.

Do they just wander around like that?

Yeah.

They just wander around everywhere.

NARRATOR: Enough of the ponies, let's look at the piggies.

After setting off with unbridled enthusiasm and 200 pounds, Raj has doubled his money.

He has just over 403 pounds.

Whilst Margie is saddled with the less financially stable 248 pounds.

Time to quit horsing around and rein in the puns.

RAJ BISRAM: This is the last part of our road trip.

But I have had a fantastic time.

It's been absolutely brilliant.

MARGIE COOPER: We've had a lot of fun.

We've had ups and downs.

We have.

We certainly have.

And I'm on my down at the moment.

Don't worry, it won't last for long.

I know you.

You're a fighter.

Yeah.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: That's the spirit.

After starting out in East Sussex, Raj and Margie have trotted their way around the home counties in their little Citroen before their final gallop west, an auction in Exeter.

But before the auction, we kick off shopping in Lyndhurst.

What fun.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Margie's dropped off Raj in the center of town for the first shop of the leg, Lyndhurst Antiques.

With two floors packed with stock, there's lots to browse.

And remember, he has over 400 pounds burning a hole in his pocket.

RAJ BISRAM: This is unusual.

I've never seen anything like this.

But I know that Chinese is in vogue at the moment, but this is a tea caddy.

Tea was a really expensive item.

I mean, it was almost worth its weight in gold.

NARRATOR: Malay "kati" was a unit of weight by which tea was sold.

The British used the term inevitably mispronounced it and started using the word "caddy" to mean a container for tea.

RAJ BISRAM: I like the look of this.

MAN: Yeah.

Can you show me exactly how it works?

So what we've got here is a vacuum inside.

So what you need to do to release the vacuum is just pull the-- the little lid up there and then it will release the main lid.

Like this.

And then inside is where the tea is kept in there.

RAJ BISRAM: Now you've got quite a bit on the ticket.

You got 198.

What could you do it for?

90 pounds.

Well, I am halving, halving the ticket price for you, Raj.

You are.

You are.

I'm going to have to shake your hands on this one at 90.

That's brilliant.

That's brilliant, Raj.

Go for it.

- OK.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Raj is off to a flying start with a great deal on the Victorian tea caddy.

Well done.

And whilst he keeps looking, we'll catch up with Margie, who's headed west across the New Forest to the village of Burley.

[MUSIC PLAYING] First stop for Margie is the Magpie's Nest.

Strange looking dog.

Hello.

How are you?

I expect to see ponies in the New Forest.

Yeah.

Well, this is Burley.

- What's his name?

- Yeah.

Siegfried Hi, Siegfried He's gorgeous.

Thank you.

Yeah.

NARRATOR: Siegfried, sit.

MARGIE COOPER: Sit.

NARRATOR: Good boy.

There's something you don't see every day.

Now Margie has 248 pounds to spend and a penchant for shiny things.

So no guesses what she's looking for.

Uh-huh, didn't take her long.

Your silver cabinet.

Yes.

Is there anything in there you'd like to have a look at?

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

I like that.

Is that Dutch?

Yeah, that's quite nice.

With no bottom?

No bottom, I'm afraid.

These are so pretty.

Dutch silver, really intricately made.

Even the little windmill spins round the top.

NARRATOR: This tea strainer is 20 pounds.

This one's got a bottom.

Oh, has it got a bottom?

But it is a bit boring that one, isn't it?

And I don't think it's silver, is it?

VANESSA: There's no marks on it.

MARGIE COOPER: [INAUDIBLE] bash.

NARRATOR: And this one is 15.

Oh, hang on.

What's that?

That's lovely.

MARGIE COOPER: What is that?

Oh, that's a pretty-- VANESSA: Butter knife.

Oh, isn't that lovely?

Lovely little brass bright cut engraving that's done by a steel tool.

That-- they used to do that in the 18th century.

I mean, this isn't that age.

But that is-- that is gorgeous decoration.

And that finial is an Albany finial.

And what a shame.

Oh.

It's not silver?

Plated.

Now, you would not believe that was plated.

All the trouble they've gone through to make that.

It's the nicest plated butter knife I have seen.

NARRATOR: Only 20 pounds.

MARGIE COOPER: Well, I think there might be a parcel here.

So what is your best then?

18 for the lot.

Oh.

Put it there.

Put it there.

That's fantastic.

Well, I bought something.

So I'm going to carry on looking.

That's marvelous.

Thank you, Vanessa.

You've been very kind.

NARRATOR: She certainly has.

A generous 37 pound discount.

Now then, how's Raj getting on in Lyndhurst?

RAJ BISRAM: I'm always looking for unusual things, and I found something I've-- really unusual.

Old pegs.

Now I don't know a lot about hanging, washing out at all, to be honest.

But I have to say, these appeal to me, these old pegs.

I should think some of these date back to the 19th century.

And there's a nice collection of five.

I mean, this is a real risky one because I don't know a lot of close peg collectors.

But it's such an unusual lot, and I love buying unusual things.

And they're all different shapes.

So maybe I could start off somebody collecting them.

NARRATOR: A possible buy.

Browse on, eh?

RAJ BISRAM: You normally see cigar cases made of silver from the 19th century and early 20th century.

But here, we've got a little cheroot case.

I mean, that is so sweet.

NARRATOR: A cheroot is similar to a cigar, but both ends are open.

RAJ BISRAM: Birmingham hallmark.

It's really nice, really nice thing.

And it's in really good condition.

I mean, people don't actually smoke cheroots anymore, not really.

But this is a nice little collector's item, and I like it.

NARRATOR: Priced at 98 pounds.

Time to talk money with Jason.

RAJ BISRAM: I found some more things.

JASON: Oh, lovely, yeah.

So it's a good day to be buying pegs, Raj.

Is it?

Well, the sun's shining.

So.

RAJ BISRAM: So what can you do these for?

JASON: There's 39 pounds on the ticket, Raj.

I think if we said 20 pounds.

No problem at all.

And this one?

JASON: Right.

I can do that for 50, Raj.

And that would be the death on that one.

I'm going to shake your hand at 50 pounds.

70 pounds for the lot.

Brilliant.

Fantastic.

NARRATOR: So that's the Victorian tea caddy, the five pegs, and the silver cheroot case for 160 pounds.

Great work.

JASON: Perfect.

[MUSIC PLAYING] NARRATOR: Let's zip eight miles west to Burley and catch up with Margie.

Now these-- these look interesting.

Look at these.

It's a bit handy, wouldn't they?

If you-- you're trying to renovate a table or something.

Well, you've got your brass four feet and you've got your casters.

Probably early 20th century, I would have thought.

And you've got this verdigris, which is oxidization on the metal.

A bit like the Statue of Liberty.

She's green, isn't she?

NARRATOR: Ticket price on those is 30 pounds.

What can dealer Vanessa do?

I've gone and found this little dirty little lot.

Oh.

They're nice, aren't they?

They are.

Well, they could be.

I think you could do quite well with those.

It could do all right, yeah.

So, just tell me how much you want for them.

VANESSA: How about the magic 18?

Oh, that'll be marvelous.

Yeah, yeah.

That's marvelous.

Thank you very much for this.

Thank you, Margie.

I'm just going to put them there.

NARRATOR: A very easy pricing structure there.

That's the assorted silver for 18 and the brass toe casters for 18.

Total, 36 pounds.

Bye.

Bye.

Take care.

NARRATOR: Oink oink.

Bye, Siegfried.

Meanwhile, Raj has headed to Portsmouth.

He's here to learn about the history of the iconic outdoor swimming pool known as a Lido, originally an Italian word for beach or shore.

Lidos became a popular attraction across Britain during the interwar years when a new al fresco swimming trend gripped the nation.

Helen Downing-Emms knows the story.

Hello.

Hi, I'm Helen, yeah.

- I'm Raj.

- Hi.

Welcome to Hilsea Lido.

- Thank you.

Well, I've got my swimming trunks with me.

No we're closed.

End of season.

No swimming today.

RAJ BISRAM: Oh, what a shame.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to learning all about it.

NARRATOR: Probably for the best.

Looks a bit nippy.

Well, us Brits have been enjoying brisk swims for centuries.

But in the 1920s, moods changed.

People wanted to swim together, and the Lido was the perfect answer.

HELEN: In the 1920s and 1930s, open-air swimming pools were seen to be the place to go.

It was a place to see and be seen.

It was considered to be very glamorous.

You would promenade around your Lido.

You would meet new people, you would come along with your family or with your friends.

NARRATOR: As Al fresco swimming became trendy, councils around the country started investing in Lidos.

Over 130 were built in the '30s alone, including this one constructed in 1935.

HELEN: It was designed by the city engineer Joseph Parkin, who had a vision of a way of promoting the city, basically.

It's an international modernist style, which is part of the art deco style.

And all very simple straight lines.

You can tell it's built by an engineer because it's very, very robust and very logically designed.

NARRATOR: Originally, Hilsea Lido was filled with seawater pumped from the neighboring creek via filters cleverly disguised as fountains.

Although the fountains remain, today, it's filled with mains water.

The history of Hilsea Lido through the years continues inside.

RAJ BISRAM: One of the things that I've noticed throughout all the photographs is the people that are in it, big smiley faces.

Absolutely.

Haven't they?

They all got smiley faces.

HELEN: That's what Lidos are all about.

RAJ BISRAM: I've also just noticed here, in 1936, the great British Olympic diving team.

That's right.

Prior to the Berlin Olympics of 1936, Team GB were here to train.

And then again in 1952, a similar thing happened.

RAJ BISRAM: It's got very interesting history.

It's got a fascinating history.

I spotted another notice which said that Sean Connery has been here.

HELEN: Yeah.

Apparently, during his period of national service, he was based down in the area and was a regular visitor at Hilsea Lido.

NARRATOR: Oh, look at that.

Strapping.

The friend that took the photo tells us that they always knew he was destined for bigger and better things.

Because as he got out of the pool, he had little pockets in its trunks.

And as he got out, he'd take his comb out and work on his coif.

Mm-hmm Bit like me.

NARRATOR: You're more Blofeld than Bond, I'm afraid, Raj.

I mean as we move on to the '60s and '70s, all these photographs, I mean, it's packed, isn't it here?

Absolutely.

Very, very busy, very popular.

But it was the start of the decline of Lidos.

Foreign holidays had become a thing, and so the popularity started to drop off.

And also, maintenance was required.

They'd been around for a while by now.

And so they needed more investment and local authorities weren't keen to invest in what they thought was something that was declining in popularity.

NARRATOR: By 2016, around 100 Leidos had closed or were on the brink of shutting for good.

However, a recent resurgence in outdoor swimming has breathed new life into the 30 or so that remain offering Lidos, like this one at Hilsea, a bit of a renaissance.

Being here, Helen, has really brought back memories for me.

Because one thing I haven't mentioned is that, you know, where I was brought up in London, we had a Lido as well.

And my only regret, Helen, is that I haven't been able to get in there and have a few lengths.

Next time, you must come again and you must go in.

RAJ BISRAM: I will.

Thank you so much, Helen.

You're very welcome.

NARRATOR: Now, where's Margie got to?

Into her bathers perhaps?

MARGIE COOPER: Loot at the sea.

It's a beautiful day.

I just hope the shop is going to be good and I can buy two items, and then I'll be happy.

NARRATOR: Let's get to it then.

Margie's motored her way west, towards the coastal village of Milford on Sea.

Just across the waters of the Solent from the Isle of Wight, the village is home to her second shop, Noah Valentine Antiques and Collectibles.

- Ah.

- Hello.

- Peter.

- How are you doing?

All right?

- Very well indeed.

Nice to meet you.

Well, this looks really nice and interesting.

PETER: Thank you.

MARGIE COOPER: So I'm going to have a route.

PETER: Yeah, do.

If you need a hand with anything, just give us a shout.

Thank you very much, Peter.

NARRATOR: Margie has just under 212 pounds.

In her purse.

There's an eclectic mix on offer in here for sure.

What can she find?

So what's this?

A carved stick.

With brass at the top.

Obviously, this unscrews.

It's not a sword stick, is it?

Ooh.

Oh, it's not a sword stick.

Ah.

A snooker cue.

So it's supposed to double up as a walking stick.

Peter?

PETER: Yeah?

MARGIE COOPER: What's the purpose of this and how does it work?

It's for someone that's got a very bad leg that likes to play snooker.

Like you say, walking stick.

Yeah.

And then when you want to go for a game of pool or billiards.

- Yeah.

- Take that off.

- Yeah.

- This unscrews.

Oh, right.

That unscrews.

- And then that.

- Yeah.

It goes in there.

Screws on in there.

That's it.

American, I think, in origin.

Not massive age.

I would have thought probably '50s, maybe '60s.

Isn't that novel?

Yeah.

So you put that on the end again?

I think you probably can do, because that probably weights it.

So that can go back on there.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

I quite like that.

And off you go.

Oh, that's about fun, isn't it?

Yeah.

So what's the price on that for me?

25 quid.

20 - Deal.

- Done it.

I'll have that.

Good luck with it.

20 quid.

NARRATOR: Hopefully, at pounds, the walking stick cum collapsible queue won't snooker you at auction.

But whilst you have Peter's attention, does anything else catch your eye?

Peter, I've seen these.

I absolutely love them.

PETER: Yeah, they're beautiful.

MARGIE COOPER: Oh, gosh.

Tell me about those.

PETER: French in origin.

MARGIE COOPER: And those lovely little torches.

Yeah.

Original shades, which are so hard to get a hold of.

MARGIE COOPER: How much would they be?

I'd have to get around 150 pounds for the pair.

Would it be a lot of trouble to take one off?

PETER: No.

It's fine.

I'll get them down have a look.

- Yeah.

- I'll go and get the drill.

- Yeah.

Oh, I love them.

NARRATOR: They're a pair of wall lights or flambeauxs, you might call them.

MARGIE COOPER: Oh.

Gah, that a clever drill, isn't it?

Yeah.

MARGIE COOPER: Are they pretty secure then?

I was gonna say, just check because they're on screws right there.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

They seem to be all right.

Oh, they're lovely, aren't they?

So elegant.

PETER: Very elegant and very of the time.

MARGIE COOPER: And these are so beautiful.

PETER: Yeah.

They're nice and their original ones.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

Isn't it amazing that they stay intact?

I know.

MARGIE COOPER: Can you ease them a bit more so that we can shake on a deal?

Can do 120 for the pair.

That's lovely.

I think they're absolutely lovely.

And thank you very much, Peter.

PETER: Good luck with them.

They're things.

Great stuff.

PETER: I'll get the other one off.

Let's get the other one off the wall.

NARRATOR: So that's the collapsible cue and pair of wall lights for 140 pounds.

Nice work.

MARGIE COOPER: All set, Peter.

Thank you very much.

PETER: Lovely.

Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: Time to leave Milford on Sea, Margie.

That's shopping all wrapped up for today.

And we're going to reunite you with Raj in that little French motor.

So sweet.

MARGIE COOPER: So we're off to Dorset tomorrow.

Yes, the Jurassic Coast.

Ah.

Yeah.

Who's turn is it to pay?

RAJ BISRAM: It's my turn.

I'm definitely buying dinner tonight.

That means I'll have a pudding as well then.

OK. You have a pudding as well.

NARRATOR: Well, it is hungry work.

Nighty night you two.

[MUSIC PLAYING] Morning.

After a good sleep, we're up with the larks for a final day of shopping.

All good things must come to an end, eh?

RAJ BISRAM: I have actually written you a little poem.

You've not.

I have.

There was a lovely lady called Margie, who went on a road trip with Raji.

Oh.

Around the country they went, till all their money was spent.

In the rain, sleet, snow, or sun, they both were having so much fun.

So thank you, Margie for such a great time.

This road trip with you has been sublime.

Oh.

How lovely.

Oh, that is very touching.

Oh, I come over [INAUDIBLE] I'm gonna have to pull over, she's crying.

NARRATOR: Oh, you stop it.

You set me off too.

Raji's such a big softie.

Yesterday, our very own wordsworth had a busy morning bagging the Victorian tea caddy, the collection of antique pegs, and a silver cheroot case.

I mean, that is so sweet.

NARRATOR: Which means he has a smidge over 243 pounds.

RAJ BISRAM: Thank you.

NARRATOR: Margie also had a productive day, snapping up the assorted silverware, the brass toe casters, the walking stick cum collapsible cue, and pair of beautiful wall lights.

Oh, I love them.

Leaving her just over 72 pounds.

RAJ BISRAM: The last day's buying and we're going to shop together.

Should we have some fun?

We will.

NARRATOR: That sounds just the ticket.

With fun in mind, Raj and Margie are heading west and to the Dorset village of Longham.

Lovely river.

They're starting today at The Bridge House Antiques Market.

Here we are.

MARGIE COOPER: Way, whoa.

RAJ BISRAM: Here we go.

MARGIE COOPER: Here we go.

The last joint shop.

I'm going this way.

I don't need to run.

Oh.

You got to go to the ramp.

You're gonna go up the ramp.

Got in first.

NARRATOR: Play nice, Margie.

There's plenty of shop for both of you.

And there are 70 or so dealers selling all sorts of goodies.

There's certainly plenty to choose from.

And you've still got around 70 pounds to spend too.

I always wonder how these things get in these places.

That's a French riot helmet.

This is quite an [INAUDIBLE].

This is like 1950s, I should think.

How would they wear it?

Yeah.

Because you'd have those-- you'd have the-- you want the protection there, don't you?

Yeah.

I'm ready.

Fit for action here.

Looks like someone Darth Vader would wear, isn't it?

NARRATOR: Right.

Back to work, please.

MARGIE COOPER: Oh, gosh.

Look here.

Oh, look, a lovely little 19th century Tunbridge ware box.

And what makes it nice is the fact that it's actually saying something.

Those little square blocks are saying "PINS."

It's brilliantly done.

I mean, Raj loves Tunbridge ware.

And on two occasions, over the last week, he failed with his Tunbridge ware.

Shouldn't laugh.

It's a bit dear.

I don't know whether I'm going to get a profit on it.

But wouldn't it be great if I did?

So that could prove him wrong in how to buy Tunbridge ware.

NARRATOR: Wouldn't it just?

Let's speak to the dealer.

MARGIE COOPER: Carrie.

Oh, Hi.

Hiya.

I've seen this lovely little box.

OK. She's absolutely gorgeous.

CARRIE: Yes.

MARGIE COOPER: Tunbridge ware.

It's a little bit top heavy for me.

Could 35, possibly?

[SIGHS] CARRIE: I'm going to say, go on then, 35.

- That's very kind.

- You're very well.

It's lovely.

NARRATOR: The Tunbridge ware box is Margie's final purchase of this trip.

Will she have better luck than Raj?

Time will tell and fingers crossed.

And speaking of whom, has Raj found anything yet?

Don't forget, he still has 243 pounds to play with.

Oh, wow.

Look at this.

What a piece of television memorabilia.

An old BBC on air sign.

NARRATOR: We've been looking for that.

RAJ BISRAM: It's got 95 pounds on the ticket.

I'm not exactly sure where this would date back to.

So I'm going to try and call the owner in and see if he knows a bit more about it.

Jim?

I really like this.

I mean, for obvious reasons.

Do you know when it dates back to, roughly?

JIM: I would imagine the '50s.

RAJ BISRAM: The '50s.

Up to the '50s.

It's a real piece of TV memorabilia.

Well, you've got 95 pounds on the ticket.

I mean, what is the best that you could do on it?

50 pounds.

- 50 pounds?

- Yeah.

RAJ BISRAM: I'm not going to haggle.

I'm going to shake your hand.

- Thank you.

RAJ BISRAM: 50 pounds, Jim?

I think that's a great deal.

Thank you.

And 50.

JIM: Thank you very much.

NARRATOR: That's another great item to load on the back seat of the 2CV to take that Exeter auction.

Jolly good.

Meanwhile, Margie's made her way back towards the coast, onto Bournemouth.

She's visiting the Russell-Cotes Museum to learn about a local couple's rather incredible collection.

And to meet museum curator Sarah Newman.

- Hello, Margie.

- Hello.

Yeah.

Welcome to the Russell-Cotes.

Do you come inside.

Thank you very much.

[MUSIC PLAYING] MARGIE COOPER: Wonderful.

Opulence.

Yes, it's quite an entrance.

My word.

Talk about impressive.

SARAH NEWMAN: It certainly is.

Quite an entrance, isn't it?

MARGIE COOPER: Certainly is.

Now tell me all about this Merton Russell-Cotes gentlemen.

Right.

Well, Meton Russell-Cotes was born in 1835 in Wolverhampton.

And he was the son of a sort of manufacturer.

He worked in insurance.

And when he married his wife Annie, they moved to different places, different cities in the North and in Ireland.

And then one year, he came down to Bournemouth for his health, because he had suffered poor health, because of the wonderful sea air.

And he spotted an opportunity.

The Bath Hotel, which is just next door to here, was up for sale.

And so he and his wife bought it.

They did it up, and they created one of the most sort of prestigious and most extraordinary hotels in the UK and in Europe.

This hotel was the sort of first word in luxury.

NARRATOR: The great, the good, and the famous of Victorian Britain came to stay.

And they all left their mark in the visitor's book.

It's amazing because it shows us the sort of people that came to stay.

Members of the royal family, duchess and some dowagers.

We've even got Oscar Wilde.

MARGIE COOPER: And here he is.

SARAH NEWMAN: That's right.

1892.

And he's signed in his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas.

MARGIE COOPER: Which was very scandalous at the time.

SARAH NEWMAN: Absolutely.

And they have put here, "All charmed with the beauty and comfort of the Italian."

SARAH NEWMAN: That's right.

Fantastic, isn't it?

Would you go around the corner?

Yeah.

OK. NARRATOR: With such illustrious guests, the hotel prospered.

The profits allowed Merton to indulge his lifelong passion for art.

He collected-- started to be collecting paintings at really quite a young age.

And then as he gradually collected more and more, and that was the sort of USP of the hotel.

So he collected them for his own.

Obviously, he loved art and paintings.

But then he displayed them in the hotel.

And so the reviews of the time describe it as like going to a sort of Royal Academy exhibition.

You'd have all sort of famous contemporary artists of the era on display in the hotel.

And he bought and sold all the time.

He was always, as I say, a wheeler dealer.

He was always buying and selling.

But he knew what he's doing as a very canny operator.

- Wow.

- Yes.

Go and have a look at the next.

NARRATOR: Merton and Annie also embarked on lavish holidays to help bolster their collection.

SARAH NEWMAN: They traveled to more than 50 countries in-- in numerous trips.

One of the most amazing trips said, it was in 1885, and they took a steamer and they went to Australia, to New Zealand, to Fiji, to Hawaii, to America.

And then on the way back, they stopped in Japan.

And they were absolutely overwhelmed [INAUDIBLE].. Japan had only just opened up to the Western world a few decades before.

And they bought madly.

They sent 100 packing cases of articles from Japan alone.

Everything from sort of beautiful shrines that probably should never have left the country to sculptures, lacquerware, netscape, all sorts of things.

Even down to disposable chopsticks.

They were fascinated by the culture.

And when they came back to Bournemouth, they actually created the Japanese drawing room in the hotel.

And favored guests would be invited to meet them there and to see this amazing collection.

And obviously, this is the period of Japanism where everybody's fascinated by this new kind of culture and art.

And so they're very much in the vanguard of that and one of the founding members of the Japan Society.

NARRATOR: In 1901, after living in the hotel for many years, Merton built a grand and lavish house in the hotel grounds as a birthday present for Annie.

It was here they displayed much of their artwork.

Despite being in their 60s, the pair continued to buy art and objects from around the world.

A collection that would eventually become their greatest legacy.

SARAH NEWMAN: Annie died in 1920.

And it was her dying wish that they set this room up as a Japanese museum.

Merton died in 1921 and was buried on what would have been their 61st wedding anniversary.

And they had declared their spouse and their collection would become a museum, and they donated it to the people of Bournemouth.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

NARRATOR: Almost 100 years later, Merton and Annie's collection is still on show in their house for the public to enjoy.

MARGIE COOPER: Brilliant chap.

Brilliant wife.

- Yes, absolutely.

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

SARAH NEWMAN: What a legacy to leave to the people of Bournemouth.

MARGIE COOPER: Thanks a lot, Sarah.

I really enjoyed it.

It's a pleasure.

Splendid house.

Thank you.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Raj has heard a rumor.

Margie is being really, really naughty.

She's seen me bomb on my Tunbridge ware and she's gone and bought a piece.

So she's going to try and teach me a lesson.

She's a naughty minx.

NARRATOR: She certainly is.

Raj has scooted the 2CV along the coast to the market town of Wareham.

His last chance to shop today is Yesterdays.

Despite already baggin for items, Raj still has 193 pounds left to spend.

Old money bags.

RAJ BISRAM: What's so lovely in this shop is that there's lots of lovely glass.

There's all sorts of bits and pieces all over.

There's some drinking glasses.

But there's also these.

They're not that early, but they're really good make.

Their Swedish.

Orrefors.

I hope I pronounced that correctly, Orrefors glass.

NARRATOR: That's it, Orrerfors.

And what's really nice about these, that they're in the shape of the Olympic torch.

And not only that, they've also got the Olympic rings on them as well.

NARRATOR: Orrefors produced these candlesticks for the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean skated to gold, remember?

Ticket price is 45.

And the only reason I'm not buying them is because they're not really old, but they are really, really top quality.

And I really like them.

NARRATOR: Yeah.

They are lovely.

Let's keep searching though.

RAJ BISRAM: Joyce.

I've had a look at these-- these brooches here.

I presume they're all nine karat.

Yeah.

They're all gold.

RAJ BISRAM: And there's some nice semi-precious stones.

I mean, that one's got little sea pearls in it, hasn't it?

And an Amethyst as well.

And there's a collection of five.

And I think they'd make a really nice lot.

So what sort of money could you do the five for?

I think I've got about 30 on each one, so five, a hundred?

RAJ BISRAM: That's 20 pounds each.

And I think that that's absolutely fair.

So, do you know?

I'm going to shake your hand.

- That's brilliant.

OK. NARRATOR: The five lovely little brooches for 100 pounds concludes shopping for the trip.

RAJ BISRAM: 60, 80, 100.

That's lovely.

NARRATOR: And now, it's time to collect Margie.

Next stop, Exeter.

The final auction.

MARGIE COOPER: Which routes are you taking me to Exeter?

It's a long way, isn't it?

It's a long way, but I thought we should use the coast road.

It's going to take ages.

It's going to take a while, but we've got lots to talk about.

We have.

NARRATOR: Well, enjoy your natter and make sure you get some shut eye.

What's more, into the breach, dear friends.

It's auction day.

Welcome to the historic Exeter.

My parents were married there.

And the final showdown of the trip.

Here at Bearnes Hampton RAJ BISRAM: It's like the World Cup Final, isn't it?

Two each.

- Yeah.

One to go.

Are you going to wish me good luck?

Of course I'm going to wish you good luck.

I wish you good luck.

And not meaning it.

RAJ BISRAM: Very funny.

Very funny.

NARRATOR: After starting out in the New Forest, Raj and Margie have motored their way along the South Coast through Dorset before their final auction here in Exeter.

Raj started this leg way out in front.

But Margie has a track record of making exciting finds that can turn a big profit.

On this hijink, Margie spent 211 pounds on five lots.

These are flaming beautiful.

And so in vogue at the moment.

These are very, very decorative.

They are in great condition and the interior designers will be all over them.

I'm starting to get very worried.

Maybe Margie's left it all to the last minute.

Oh, dear.

NARRATOR: Raj also picked up five lots.

Splashing out 310 pounds, not forgetting those pegs.

Well, I'm not often lost for words.

What?

Tell me about these, young man.

Do you know what?

When I saw these, I-- I thought of you.

OK?

Have you ever seen 19th century pegs before?

I haven't.

I suppose I haven't.

Do they have some royal provenance?

They do, yeah.

Queen Victoria's pantaloons?

How did you know?

MARGIE COOPER: Well, I wish you well.

But I am speechless.

Well, you know, it's been the first time on this trip that you have been.

So, thank God.

I'm not making any more comment.

Oh, I don't believe you.

I'm going.

NARRATOR: Good idea.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 10 pounds?

Five pounds for it?

Five is bid, thank you.

Five, six?

NARRATOR: Let's see what auctioneer Chris Hampton thinks.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 60?

[INAUDIBLE] now at 60 pounds.

[INAUDIBLE] The BBC on air sign is a great piece of interior design.

I suppose a few years back, you wouldn't necessarily have thought that.

But great to put into a kitchen or a lounge in a contemporary setting.

I think that'll do well.

My favorite item is the Tunbridge ware pin box.

I think they're are collectors out there that will appreciate that very much.

So that should sell pretty well.

NARRATOR: Let's see, shall we?

30 pounds, 40 pounds.

NARRATOR: Chris will be selling to bidders in the room and on the phone.

Right.

Take a seat.

It's about to begin.

RAJ BISRAM: Exciting.

Exciting.

I can't wait.

The final auction.

Do you know what?

I'm excited, but I'm sad at the same time.

I know.

We've had such a blast, haven't we?

NARRATOR: Let's see how you feel after this.

Raj is up first.

Fingers crossed.

Yeah.

It would be nice to get off to a good start and see a Raji smile.

Commissions here at 30 pounds.

And set.

35, 40, 45, 50.

At 50 pounds, 55, 60.

Can't profit.

Turning now at 60 pounds.

NARRATOR: Good start.

Very well done.

MARGIE COOPER: Profit, profit, profit.

A little profit.

I tell you what, I'm really grateful.

A little profit.

Just a little profit, OK?

NARRATOR: Can Margie make a little profit of her own?

I bought a little package of silver.

Because I think tea strainers are back in fashion.

People are using loose leaf tea again.

Are they?

Yes.

In Cheshire, of course.

Ladies at lunch.

And we will start at 30 pounds.

Oh.

CHRIS HAMPTON: At 30 pounds, at 32, 35, 38, 40.

They're all right, there.

42, 45.

Oh, that's the Dutch one.

50, 52, 55, 58, 60.

Oh, it's getting silly now.

Bid 60 pounds.

Selling at 60.

NARRATOR: You were right, Margie.

Great result.

Tea strainers forever.

NARRATOR: Next, Raji's antique pegs.

Raji wasn't sure about these.

Have you still got a washing line in your garden?

Oh, I know where this is going.

Would you mind me taking your clothes pegs home?

And 20 pounds to the pegs?

10 for them?

10 bid.

At 10 pounds.

At 10.

Got 10 pounds.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 10 pounds, at 10.

Oh, no.

All done then at 10 pounds.

NARRATOR: Well, they were a bit unusual.

I've gone right off pegs.

I'm not surprised.

How you can take so much joy in another man's pain.

I don't understand.

Oh, gosh.

That's funny.

That was wonderful.

That was wonderful.

NARRATOR: Yeah.

They were a fun buy.

Worth a gamble.

Margie's brass toe casters are next under the hammer.

I need somebody with a footless table.

You do.

10 pounds?

10 is bid.

Where's 12?

At 10 pounds.

Oh MARGIE COOPER: No.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 12 now.

Selling in at 10 pounds.

NARRATOR: Oh dear, that's a shame.

That was cheap.

Darn it.

NARRATOR: Next, Raji's BBC on air sign.

The auctioneer liked this.

I like this.

It's such a fun item.

You could light it up and have fun with it, can you.

You could put it aside the loo.

Every time somebody went in the loo, it-- it just lit up.

And I have commissioned at 50 pounds.

There you go.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 50 pounds, at 55, 60.

[INAUDIBLE] At 65, 70.

All done selling at 70.

NARRATOR: Another solid profit for Raj.

- I loved it.

- I know.

It was fun.

And somebody will wire it up and have a lot of fun with that.

NARRATOR: Time for Margie's walking stick cum pool cue.

There's a lot of snooker halls in Exeter.

- Are there?

- Yeah.

Seriously?

Oh, it's packed with snooker halls.

You never know when you're being serious.

10 is bid.

At 10 here.

- Oh, no.

- 10 pounds.

Oh, no.

And 12, will you?

At 10 pounds in.

Selling then the made [INAUDIBLE] 12, 15.

Selling at 15.

NARRATOR: Only a small bump.

Chin up.

Five, I lost.

Nothing.

What's a fiver between friends?

NARRATOR: Exactly.

Raj spent 100 pounds on these brooches, so stand by.

- Yeah.

- They've got [INAUDIBLE].

They're the little scarf pins, aren't they?

Yeah.

No.

No.

They're proper brooches.

They're proper brooches.

I call those brooches, don't laugh, blow off the table brooches.

They're so light.

50 pounds?

55.

At 65.

75.

It's 75.

All done then at 75 pounds.

NARRATOR: Ouch.

Some lucky bidder has a bargain there.

Oh God.

Blown right out of the water, haven't they?

NARRATOR: Now can Margie embarrass Raj and make Tunbridge ware profitable.

Well, this is the lot that you wanted to teach me a lesson, isn't it?

MARGIE COOPER: Yeah.

But I just wish-- RAJ BISRAM: Supposed to be one of my things, Tunbridge ware.

- That's why I bought it.

- Yeah.

I know.

I know.

I know why you bought it.

I know why you bought it.

20 pounds is bid.

At 20 pounds.

At 22, 25, 28, 30.

Oh.

Oh no.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 32 now.

32 back in.

Come on, make a profit.

Yours now at 32 pounds.

Oh.

NARRATOR: Well, that backfired.

I've lost.

Sorry.

You didn't teach me a lesson.

I'm sorry, I can't help myself.

I can't hold back.

I can't hold back.

Again.

We have both lost money in Tunbridge ware.

And you didn't teach me a lesson.

NARRATOR: Don't get too cocky, Raj.

Your Victorian tea caddy is up next.

This was a really risky item.

But it's unusual.

And you like it.

30 pounds?

30 is bid.

- There you go, 30.

- Thank you.

35?

Got bids on it.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 40?

40?

45.

50, [INAUDIBLE] Oh.

Selling at 50.

NARRATOR: That's a real shame.

I'm only laughing out of sympathy.

In fact, I'm not laughing at all.

I'm very sad for you.

NARRATOR: Last go at Margie's beautiful wall lights.

These must make a profit.

Oh, can't look.

I'm going to hold on to you just in case you decide to run away or commit something terrible.

Here we go.

And we'll start here at 100 pounds.

Oh, your perfect.

Perfect.

At 110, 120.

There's somebody online.

She's online.

She's on the phone.

130, 140.

She's on the phone.

Oh good, yeah.

CHRIS HAMPTON: 150, 160.

Oh, great.

Well done.

160 pounds.

[INTERPOSING VOICES] Hey, come back.

CHRIS HAMPTON: At 160 pounds.

Come back with your phone.

CHRIS HAMPTON: Selling then with me at 160.

A minute ago, you'll settle for that.

I don't know whether to be pleased or disappointed.

Be pleased.

You just made money.

Yeah, but I wanted more.

Oh.

NARRATOR: It's a great way to end the trip, Margie.

But have you done enough?

Well, that was a bit of ups and downs, isn't it?

It was a switch back ride.

RAJ BISRAM: Come on.

Let's get out of here.

NARRATOR: Time for the moment of truth, everybody.

Margie started the leg behind with 248 pounds.

And after all sale room fees, she made today a 16 pound profit.

That means her final total is 264 pounds and 38 pence.

So well done.

Raj started well out in front, today with over 403 pounds.

But he didn't have much luck.

And after fees have been deducted, made a 92 pounds loss.

However, he finishes the trip with a winning total of 310 pounds and 72 pee.

And all profits go to children in need.

Ah.

Margie.

You got the spring in your step.

I have to say.

Well done.

It has been tremendous and close.

I think it's been close.

I think we've both been winners.

But you clinched it.

Oh, forget that.

We've had a great time.

What a lovely road trip.

It's been super.

You've been an angel.

NARRATOR: And you have been a jet.

What a fun romp it's been.

[LAUGHING] OK?

Yeah.

How about that?

That is amazing.

RAJ BISRAM: And I've not been stung.

There's a switch here.

I wonder if this is a new ejector seat.

Cheers, Raj.

Cheers.

[HOWLING] I feel as if I'm going to go off the rails.

And you see a profit.

Fingers crossed.

Please, let me beat Margie.

Tea cosy these days.

OK. Checkmate.

Something's definitely wrong with this car.

Ah.

I'll stick to the day job.

What's not to like?

NARRATOR: It's been a great road trip.

Goodbye you two.

[MUSIC PLAYING]