Exclusive for Mail on Sunday readers: Tour Chatsworth with TV antiques star Paul Martin – discover the Peak District and grab a bargain at Chesterfield Flea Market
If you love hunting for antiques, then the beautiful Peak District, home to some of the UK’s finest country houses as well as one of its largest flea markets, is the perfect place to indulge your passion.
On this exclusive four-day tour, you’ll not only visit the magnificent Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and medieval Haddon Hall – both beautiful stately homes near the charming town of Bakewell – but you will also meet the brilliant and engaging TV antiques expert Paul Martin.
Originally an antiques dealer, Paul was discovered by the BBC when he was interviewed about his love of old oak furniture and signed as a presenter on the spot.
Centuries of history: The magnificent Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire
Paul will also give you some priceless hints and tips on shopping for antiques and accompany you for a rummage through the fascinating mix of items on sale at Chesterfield Flea Market
Since then, Paul has presented Flog It! for more than 20 years and appeared on BBC shows including Britain’s Hidden Heritage, Paul Martin’s Handmade Revolution and Make Me A Dealer.
You’ll enjoy a private talk from Paul about his life and career and be able to ask him your own questions. Paul will also give you some priceless hints and tips on shopping for antiques and accompany you for a rummage through the fascinating mix of items on sale at Chesterfield Flea Market.
With more than 150 stalls to browse, it’s a great place to bag a bargain of your own.
Paul says: ‘Join me as we discover the treasures of Chatsworth House, then head off to an antiques market to go bargain-hunting… and put that new-found knowledge to the test!’
REASONS TO BOOK
OUR SPECIAL GUEST
You will be joined by Paul Martin (above)
Paul Martin has presented more than 1,000 episodes of Flog It! as well as Britain’s Hidden Heritage, Paul Martin’s Handmade Revolution and Make Me A Dealer, plus Countryfile spin-offs Summer Diaries, Spring Diaries, Autumn Diaries and Winter Diaries. He has also worked as a jazz and blues drummer.
Meet TV’s Paul Martin
The Flog It! presenter will give a private talk to readers about his work as an antiques dealer and TV expert, and take part in a Q&A session.
Discover Chatsworth
Famous for its art and 105 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, Chatsworth House is also full of history, including the fact that it held Mary, Queen of Scots as a prisoner on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I.
You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the masterpieces of Chatsworth’s collection, which span more than 4,000 years of history, in the company of Paul. He knows Chatsworth well, having filmed here many times.
You’ll explore more than 30 rooms, such as the fascinating Sculpture Gallery and the awe-inspiring Painted Hall.
Bargain-hunting with Paul
You will spend an engrossing morning at Chesterfield Flea Market searching for antiques with Paul, who will give you his top tips on what to look out for, how to unearth a bargain and how to negotiate the best price.
Stay at a historic hotel
You’ll be based at the historic Old Hall Hotel in the spa town of Buxton for three nights. Back in 1727, Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe described it as ‘a very special place with its own special feeling’. The building itself dates from 1573 and is one of England’s oldest hotels.
Enjoy the Peak District
As well as visiting Chatsworth, you will spend time in this beautiful part of Derbyshire, touring Haddon Hall in the Wye Valley; Bolsover Castle, which dates from the 17th Century; Hardwick Hall, an impressive Elizabethan country house; and Tissington Hall, an early 17th Century Jacobean mansion.