Antiques Road Trip Season 27, Episode 6: Mark Hill and Izzie Balmer - Day 1

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Raj Bisram and Irita Marriott - Day 1

It’s been no time at all since antique experts Irita Marriott and Raj Bisram last road-tripped together, but they are back by popular demand! There is only one thing our riotous rivals love more than finding quality antiques, and that’s winding each other up. It’s hair-raising stuff, quite literally in this episode. Kicking off in north Wales, they have £1,500 each in spending money and a fabulous Vanden Plas Princess to travel around in. (First aired on iPlayer 13/11/23)

44 min

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Raj Bisram and Irita Marriott - Day 2

We’re only at round two in our cross-country jaunt with antique experts Irita Marriott and Raj Bisram, and already they’re winding each other up. They say ‘Hwyl’, or ta-ra, to Wales and hello to Shropshire, as they hit shops on both sides of the border. Things get a little tense in the Vanden Plas Princess as our pair give each other the silent treatment. But there’s no way that can last for long. (First aired on iPlayer 13/11/23)

44 min

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Raj Bisram and Irita Marriott - Day 3

This road trip’s halfway point sees experts Irita Marriott and Raj Bisram meandering through the Midlands in their 1967 Princess Vanden Plas classic car. They take a bow in Birmingham, where Raj learns about the crucial role the Hare and Hounds played in the UK’s reggae explosion of the 1980s. Basil Gabbidon, guitarist and vocalist in groundbreaking Brummie band Steel Pulse also helps Irita form an impromptu band so they can all enjoy a jam. (First aired on iPlayer 13/11/23)

44 min

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Raj Bisram and Irita Marriott - Day 3

It’s the penultimate promenade for our purchasing pair, Irita Marriott and Raj Bisram. Today, they hit The Fens in search of treasure, ticking off five counties in their trusty Vanden Plas Princess. As the competition gets down to the pointy end, they’ve got their business heads on, but they still can’t resist some shenanigans on the way. (First aired on iPlayer 13/11/23)

44 min

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Raj Bisram and Irita Marriott - Day 5

Slap on the sunscreen, break out the bucket and spade! Antiques experts Irita Marriott and Raj Bisram are off to the Lincolnshire seaside. It’s their last chance to hit the shops in search of saleable items before they head off to their final auction. They’re aided once again by their unflappable Vanden Plas Princess, taking the hilliest of Lincolnshire’s terrain in its stride. (First aired on iPlayer 13/11/23)

44 min

6

Mark Hill and Izzie Balmer - Day 1

It’s the start of a new adventure in Cymru/Wales with a fresh-faced pair on their first ever road trip together: jewellery expert Izzie Balmer and 20th-century design whizz Mark Hill. Behind the wheel of their chic 1987 Lotus Éclat, they head into the Pembrokeshire countryside, weighed down with £1,500 each to last the week. (First aired on iPlayer 20/11/23)

44 min

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Mark Hill and Izzie Balmer - Day 2

It’s the second leg of a road trip with new best friends, jewellery expert Izzie Balmer and 20th-century design whizz Mark Hill. They meander their way through the towns and villages of Carmarthenshire in their swanky 1987 Lotus Éclat, browsing and bantering in an assortment of gorgeous antiques shops before putting their wares into auction. Who will be crowned auction champ at the end of their latest adventure? (First aired on iPlayer 20/11/23)

44 min

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Mark Hill and Izzie Balmer - Day 3

It’s the third leg of this high-energy road trip with brand new besties, doyenne of the jewellery world Izzie Balmer and 20th-century design guru Mark Hill. Behind the wheel of their 1987 Lotus Éclat, Mark and Izzie are motoring to the Midlands via the Cotswolds. Starting in Royal Wootton Bassett and making their way to Cirencester, they collect treasures and trinkets in Stroud and Ashchurch too, before heading off to sell their finds in Market Harborough. (First aired on iPlayer 20/11/23)

44 min

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Mark Hill and Izzie Balmer - Day 4

Jewellery afficionado Izzie Balmer and 20th-century design and glassware connoisseur Mark Hill are back on the road and honking the horn of their classy 1987 Lotus Éclat. Today, Oxfordshire and the Midlands are yielding their treasures for our twosome to take to auction. Mark sweeps past a 1930s model of Davy Crockett and splashes his cash instead on a Betjeman lockable decanter. Izzie meanwhile turns her nose up at a rubbery steak but invests eclectically in a Minton majolica plate for serving strawberries. But whose investments will pay off most handsomely at auction?

44 min

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Mark Hill and Izzie Balmer - Day 5

Doyenne of the jewellery world Izzie Balmer and 20th-century design maestro Mark Hill are loath to say goodbye as their final auction beckons. Starting out in Haversham, Buckinghamshire, Mark gets his paws on a mid-century teddy bear, while Izzie is hypnotised by early 20th-century glass commemorating Glasgow’s International Exhibition of 1901. But only one of these two can reign victorious after their final auction. (First aired on iPlayer 20/11/23)

44 min

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David Harper and Hettie Jago - Day 1

Auctioneer, dealer and Road Trip greenhorn Hettie Jago goes up against David Harper, the old hand still rocking those multi-coloured trews. Hettie, Somerset born and currently residing in Nottingham, and Barnard Castle’s David have a 1980s Mercedes 280 SL for their shopping extravaganza. Our pair begin with £1,500 each, and the winner will be the expert who wins the most auctions from their five trips to the sale room. The rummaging starts north of the border in the fair city of Perth, where Hettie gurgles for joy at a pair of fish jugs and David competes on the animal front with a beaded tapestry of man’s best friend. He also flings himself into a visit to the historic castle of Scone, where many Kings of Scotland were crowned. But who will rule the road trip this time around?

44 min

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David Harper and Hettie Jago - Day 2

The second leg of our contest between David Harper and Hettie Jago includes a visit to the city of Glasgow, followed by the road south through the Scottish Borders. Dealer David, from Northumbria, is a classic car fan who’s thrilled to be behind the wheel of their Mercedes 280 SL convertible. Hettie scoops up an enamel necklace, vintage pens and a Japanese censor, while David trusts his instincts, buying a dusty pair of Victorian portraits and repairing an already much-damaged majolica wine holder. Hettie also has a close encounter with a cow as she investigates the role of John Boyd Orr in the development of the science of nutrition. They started out with £1,500 and have to make it last all week. But who will win the second of their best-of-five auction contest?

44 min

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David Harper and Hettie Jago - Day 3

We’re approaching the halfway mark with Hettie Jago, David Harper and their delightful 1980s Mercedes 280 SL. This time, they begin in Brampton, Cumbria - 133 miles from their starting point in Perth. Hettie, an auctioneer and dealer from Nottingham, is on her very first Road Trip. She sticks to her first love, jewellery, buying two stunning brooches made centuries apart. Old hand David from Barnard Castle has scoured the entire UK over the years, and today roots out a First World War campaign chest, a stunning copper charger and a Bakelite heart-shaped box. Our pair also attend match day in Workington and discover the brutal delights of a traditional, mass football game called Uppies and Downies before concluding at an auction in Wrexham.

44 min

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David Harper and Hettie Jago - Day 4

Auctioneer Hettie Jago and dealer David Harper's fourth outing is all about the lakes, and the pair will be hoping that their 1980s Mercedes SL 280 convertible will cope with the challenging roads of the district. These mountains of north west England were once chock-a-block with Romantic poets. But Hettie and David are here for the antiques, not to mention the delicious cumberland sausages. Between motoring and munching, Hettie hunts for animal-themed antiques and finds equine vesta cases and Japanese netsukes in the form of crabs. But will she claw back a profit? David also tracks down a bear and an art deco figurine while making a famille rose bowl sing. Coincidentally, Hettie learns the score in the village of Sedgewick, where she explores the legacy of Victorian musical pioneer Mary Augusta Wakefield.

44 min

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David Harper and Hettie Jago - Day 5

It’s the end of the tour for seasoned road tripper David Harper and his debutante rival Hettie Jago as they steer the 1980s Mercedes 280 SL towards their final auction. With money to spend and one last chance in the saleroom, they hit the antiques shops and emporia of Lancashire. Hettie invests in varied lots from inkwells to hatstands, then blows the remainder of her budget on one spectacular big-ticket item in a bid to outwit David. And isn’t it typical? David waited all day for an urn stand, then two came along at once. There’s also time for a pit stop. David visits a Chorley-based, traditional soap maker with a complex history involving not just a flight from the Russian revolution of 1917, but escape from persecution under the Nazis too. Then it’s on to their last showdown. Will Hettie, the student, become the master? Or will David hold on to win?

44 min

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Ishy Khan and Natasha Raskin Sharp - Day 1

We blast off in sunny Northumberland with dream team Natasha Raskin Sharp and Ishy Khan. Armed with £1,500 each to last them the entire week, they are limbering up for a battle for auction wins. Whoever clinches the most auction victories will be the ultimate road trip champ. Our intrepid explorers stop off in the Toon to find out about the origins of the word geordie, and Ishy takes to the stage with a band of local folk singers. Who will be the first victor of this rip-roaring adventure?

43 min

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Ishy Khan and Natasha Raskin Sharp - Day 2

The adventure continues in North Yorkshire with Road Trippers Natasha Raskin Sharp and Ishy Khan. Now on their second leg, they’re trying to nab as many auction victories as they can with what remains of their original £1,500. Along the way, Natasha explores the first motor that gave disabled drivers a taste of freedom and independence by taking a 1970s ice-blue invacar for a spin. Finally, we find out who will be victor at auction number two.

43 min

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Ishy Khan and Natasha Raskin Sharp - Day 3

We’re in East Yorkshire with gavel-wielder Natasha Raskin Sharp and jewellery aficionado Ishy Khan. The young guns started with £1,500 each and need to make it last the entire week. On the third leg of their adventure, they scour east Yorkshire for more antique delights. Ishy nips off to Spurn Point, one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe, where he learns how important it is to preserve one of Britain’s newest islands. And if all that wasn’t enough, we’re off to auction number three. Who will come out on top this time?

43 min

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Ishy Khan and Natasha Raskin Sharp - Day 4

Watch out West Yorkshire, we’re on the penultimate leg of this road trip with hotshot auctioneer Natasha Raskin Sharp and jewellery connoisseur Ishy Khan. Natasha trips the light fantastic in Huddersfield. Not only does she learn about the history of Bhangra, she also gets a masterclass in one of the world’s oldest folk dances. They then sashay to Bristol for their fourth auction.

43 min

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Ishy Khan and Natasha Raskin Sharp - Day 5

We’re in the east Midlands for a sparkling road trip finale with young guns Natasha Raskin Sharp and Ishy Khan. They kick this final leg off in Heanor in Derbyshire, and conclude with a spectacular auction finale in beautiful Bristol. We also tag along with Ishy as he explores the origins of model aeroplane-making before channeling his inner Tom Cruise to take to the skies in his very first aviation lesson. But what will fly at auction in the final leg of this road trip?

43 min

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Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell - Day 1

It’s been seven years since Road Trip stalwarts and best friends Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell last hit the road together, but by popular demand – they’re back. If there’s one thing this odd couple love more than antiques, it’s pranking each other. It’s going to be fun. This time, they’re cosying up in a little red Morgan Roadster clutching their £1,500 spending money. And once the browsing, buying and bantering are done, there’s always the thrill of the first of five auctions. Who will come out on top in this initial leg?

44 min

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Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell - Day 2

Worcester antiques wizard Phil Serrell and queen of Kentish salerooms Catherine Southon are on the second instalment of their treasure-hunting trek. Taking them through Dorset, via Salisbury and into Hampshire, is a sporty red Morgan Roadster. The second of their five auctions is north of the border near Edinburgh. Who will have the last laugh this time?

44 min

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Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell - Day 3

Road Trip regulars Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell are revved up as they motor through sunny Surrey. They’re ready to do friendly battle at auction. Whoever clinches the most saleroom victories wins this road trip. But first, they need to buy the lots that will go under the gavel. With the scores finely balanced, which expert will pull ahead?

44 min

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Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell - Day 4

We rejoin Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell as they embark on the fourth leg of their trip. A classic Morgan Roadster carries them onwards through the Home Counties of Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire as they head towards their penultimate auction. It’s still all to play for, so will Phil’s gamble pay off or will Catherine romp home to victory?

44 min

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Catherine Southon and Phil Serrell - Day 5

It’s our last road trip with Catherine Southon and Philip Serrell as their sojourn from Bristol to the far east concludes - the far east of England that is! This time, they’re travelling from Great Baddow to Manningtree on the Essex coast in a 1965 Mercedes 220 SE. There’s plenty of top-down fun on this trip! Then it’s the final round in their best-of-five auction battles. There can only be one winner...

44 min