Ep 9. Episode 9

Two renowned antique experts embark on a road trip for the 9th episode of Antiques Road Trip's 23rd season. In this episode, we follow presenter Louise Gostelow and dealer David Harper as they travel around Kent and East Sussex in search of valuable antiques.

The episode begins with Harper taking a stroll through the streets of Tunbridge Wells, in Kent. Here, he visits 18th-century furniture dealer Samuel Johnson and admires his exquisite collection of Georgian-style furniture. Johnson shows Harper a set of chairs made out of yew wood, which he claims to be from the original spa resort of Tunbridge Wells. Harper is impressed by the history of the furniture and eagerly tries to negotiate a deal.

In Rye, East Sussex, Gostelow visits an antique shop called My Little Vintage. She comes across a fascinating collection of old-fashioned toys, such as wooden trains and steam engines, and strikes up a deal with the owner, who seems pleased to get rid of some of the stock. Gostelow is thrilled to have found such a rare collection and anticipates making a hefty profit.

In the nearby town of Battle, Harper meets with a collector of antique clocks and watches. The collector shows Harper a collection of vintage pocket watches, which Harper takes a keen interest in. He holds them up to the light and carefully examines each one. Harper haggles with the collector over the price, eventually closing the deal on a stunning gold fob watch from the 19th century.

Gostelow and Harper then head to a small shop in Tenterden, Kent, where they meet with a ceramics expert. The dealer takes them through the art of antique porcelain and shows them a range of items, from a delicate teacup and saucer to a porcelain clock. Gostelow is fascinated by the intricate designs on the porcelain, while Harper tries to gauge the price of the items. They both end up leaving the shop happy with their purchases.

The pair then head to the Kentish town of Cranbrook, where Harper meets with a specialist of antique silverware. The expert shows Harper a range of items, from an ornate silver teapot to a rare collection of silver spoons. Harper struggles to make a decision on what to buy, and ultimately spends most of his time trying to drive down the price. He eventually leaves the shop with some silver cutlery and a small dish.

Meanwhile, Gostelow visits a vintage clothing store in the town. Here, she finds a range of unique pieces, from a 1920s-style flapper dress to a pair of vintage suede boots. Gostelow spends some time chatting with the shop owner, who offers some valuable insight into the world of vintage fashion. Gostelow buys some items for a bargain price, excited to add them to her collection.

In the last section of the episode, the two experts meet up in the town of Lewes, where they take a break from antique-hunting to explore the town's historic castle. Here, they take a tour of the castle's dungeons and learn about the gruesome history of the site.

The episode ends with Gostelow and Harper meeting up for a final valuation of their purchases. They each try to guess the value of each other's items before revealing the true worth. It's another exciting episode full of great finds and intriguing historical insights.