Ep 1. Bolton Abbey

It was a sunny day at Bolton Abbey as the Antiques Roadshow team gathered for the first episode of the 31st season. Located in North Yorkshire, the stunning ruins of this medieval monastery and estate was the perfect backdrop for the show.

Fiona Bruce, the host of Antiques Roadshow, welcomed the eager crowd to the new season and introduced the experts who were ready to appraise the attendees’ treasures. One of the first items to catch their eye was a beautiful Georgian tea caddy. The tea caddy, belonging to a family from the area, was made of burr walnut and stood out for its intricate inlaid design. The expert was excited about the item and stated that it was a great example of the Georgian era style and was appraised for a significant amount.

Next up was a unique piece of Whitby jet jewelry. The owner explained that she always believed it to be something special, but was unsure of its true value. The experts were intrigued and excited to learn more. They described the piece as a rare example of a pre-Victorian mourning brooch, and the value was much higher than the owner had anticipated.

One of the most impressive items of the day was a beautiful painting by the well-known artist and illustrator Arthur Rackham. The painting, of a woodland scene featuring fairies and other magical creatures, was one of the finest examples of his work. It was one of the most unique items ever brought to an Antiques Roadshow event and the value it received was beyond the owner's expectations.

Another standout item was a piece of Staffordshire pottery from the 19th century in the form of a lion. The expert described it as a rare piece and praised the owner for keeping in excellent condition, even noting a slight chip in the base that indicated the item had been used in the past. The lion was an impressive find and stood on a high pedestal, making it quite the conversation piece.

However, not all items were of significant value. A bronze statue of an eagle owl was brought in by its owner, who revealed it was purchased from a charity shop for a modest price. The expert was thrilled to see a unique item but could not assign particular value to it during the appraisal since they couldn't identify the artist or date back the item's origins.

The day ended on a high note with a unique and interesting item - a silver statue of a pig. The statue was small, but the intricate details on the pig and the level of craftsmanship were notable. The pig statue caught the eyes of the crowd, and many awaited the expert's appraisal. The appraisal was a pleasant surprise, as it turned out to be worth far more than the value anticipated by the owner.

The episode ended with Fiona Bruce thanking everyone for attending and the guests for speaking to the experts. The value of the items varied greatly, but it was the knowledge and history behind each item that made them all special. As the crowd dispersed, the experts enjoyed discussing some of their favorite finds, and the attendees left with not only the experience of being part of the show but also new insights into their special family treasures.