The Antiques Trail is designed to help buyers make the most of their time on the road. Antique shops are not always easily found on high street locations some are hidden away on farms in remote areas. Some areas are widespread so you might need to find a hotel for the night – The Antiques Trail is here to help and we have chosen the city of Bath and the surrounding Somerset countryside in the heart of the West of England, as the first location. Rich in antique shops, galleries and heritage sites, there is a wealth of specialist antique shops to delight the visitor.

Future Antiques Trail Features will include East and West Sussex, Devon, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire. If you would like your antique shop or centre to be included in any of these features, or if you would like your area to be included in a future Antiques Trail Feature, please Email Antiques News or contact the office on +44 ( 0) 1225 742240

For Antiques Trail readers from overseas who might like a virtual road trip and see inventory from any of the following shops via email, Satellite Antique Sales would be able to help you.
Email Satellite Antiques or telephone +44(0)1225 743647 for more information about the service. Satellite Sales can be your virtual shopper in the West of England and you can receive regular emailed images of new stock as it arrives from this roving photographer or you can use the service to locate a particular piece on request. The service is open to trade and private clients and shipping advice is also available on request. See Trade Index for details of UK shipping companies including Robinsons International based in Bristol in the West of England and Anglo Pacific based in London.

Entering Somerset from the Wiltshire village of Box, the first place not to be missed is the village of Batheaston which is home to Piccadilly Antiques, 280 High Street, Batheaston BA1 7RA with decorative and formal antiques and accessories. Ask for Robin Coleman who will offer a warm welcome to both trade and private buyers. Telephone 01225 851494 for more information.

Travelling into Bath the next important stop is Old Bank Antiques Centre 14-17 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD. Telephone Alex or David to hear more about the other occupants of this rambling antiques centre, there are more than 18 of them dealing in a wide variety of country and formal, furniture and accessories. Contact Old Bank Antiques Centre via Trade Index.

A very unusual and possibly unique antique shop lies just a few steps up the road at 3 Walcot Buildings, London Road, Bath BA1 6AD. Michael Saffell has dealt in British tins for the collector or decorator for 25 years from this shop. He also carries some decorative furniture and a visit to his charming bijou shop is a must.

A few hundred yards away along this busy road you will find a trio of seasoned antique traders with shops three in a row next to each other, James Townshend, Owen Hirst and Tim Snell. This is the place where the stock spills out on to the pavement and vans are unloaded and loaded throughout the day, you need to be quick to catch the bargains here at Cleveland Terrace, London Street, Bath BA1 1DF.

Walking into the city, half way down Walcot Street Anthony Reed’s shop, Looking Glass of Bath, 94-96 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BG where you will find antique and reproduction mirrors. Anthony also supplies reproduction antique style mirror glass useful if you need to replace a broken mirror or want to mount a frame.

If you are looking for a piece of Georgian mahogany - a perfect example of a linen press or wardrobe, across the road is Waterfall Antiques, 57 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BN. Richard and Carol also stock 18 – 20th century furniture and collectibles with an interesting array of decorators’ pieces.

A short walk away at 5 Broad Street, Bath BA1 5LJ, Mary Cruz Antiques is another well established Bath antiques shop, selling exquisite paintings, watercolours and sculpture from the 18th century to the present day together with decorative objects and period furniture. Mary is able to offer advice and is a recognised expert on Latin and Central American art and the sourcing of paintings from these areas.

If you are looking for a beautiful chandelier or textiles from 18 – 19th century, climb Lansdown Hill to Antique Textiles and Lighting, 34 Belvedere, Lansdown, Bath BA1 5HR, where Joanna Proops will give you the benefit of many years experience in the antiques trade. The shop is festooned with quilts, tapestries, cushions and haberdashery for decorators and home makers and has won the "Best Antique Textile Shop in Britain" award.

Immediately next door is Frank Dux Antiques at 33 Belvedere, where you will find exceptional glass both for the collector and dealer. Margaret and Frank have been dealing in antique glass, particularly 18th century drinking glasses and Georgian decanters and anything eye catching, from Nailsea to Venetian for many years and can assist in finding that special piece to complete or add to a collection.

Bath offers many temptations for the visitor and you may want to stay overnight to enjoy the beauty of the city. Villa Magdala Hotel on Henrietta Road, Bath BA2 6LX has an essential Bath accessory – a spacious car park within a couple of minutes walking distance of Pulteney Bridge! Call Roy on +44(0)1225 466329 to make a reservation or see
Villa Magdala via Trade Index.

If you leave Bath and head south, you will find some enchanting towns and villages where some of the most interesting dealers in the country have their showrooms. One of these is Freshford Antiques, Freshford, Bath. Open by appointment only, 01225 722111, this is where you will find a fine collection of English period furniture, 18 -19th century.

You will need a map, and an appointment, but finding Wharton Antiques will be worthwhile! Buried deep in the Somerset hills, beyond Radstock, Simon Wharton stocks a vast array of English and Continental period fire surrounds in stone, marble and wood and garden pieces. Call Simon Wharton on 01761 420293 or 07974 579694.

Not too far by car is John Robbins Garden Antiques, just outside Frome, who specialises in obelisks, fountains, animals, sundials and all those rare and lovely pieces that complete a special landscape. John advises a phone call prior to travelling as he is often on the road finding these treasures. Call 07710 609043.

About 15 miles away in Chilcompton is an entirely different shop – Billiard Room Antiques, one of the few antique shops in the UK specialising in billiard room antiques. Paul McKeivor stocks all that is required for a bespoke billiard room. An appointment is advised so please call Paul on 01761 232839 to make arrangements.

Travel on south to the historic market town of Shepton Mallet where a very stylish new shop has recently opened - No21 Antiques is full of inspiration with decorative lighting a speciality. Owner Belinda writes one of the better blogs about antiques on the web - well researched and full of so many useful addresses not only antiques and decoration sources but travel tips and a great link for dog friendly hotels! No21 Antiques

Just past Shepton Mallet on the A37 and you will find Pennard House Antiques. A country house antiques centre set in the most wonderful countryside, it is home to Martin Dearden who has been dealing in French provincial country furniture for thirty years or more. A wide selection of French farmhouse dining tables is always in stock. LAPADA member Martin plays host to a number of other dealers at Pennard House, so you will find a variety of English Country House furniture and accessories including carpets and lighting. Packing and shipping of containers and on site restoration service are other services offered here. If you feel like spending a night in this enchanting location, bed and breakfast accommodation is available. Please call ahead to check availability on +44 (0)1749 860266. See Pennard Antiques via Trade Index
for more information.

A phone call will be required prior to a visit to Julian Rogers, who deals from a farmhouse off the beaten track about five miles from Pennard House at Babcary. Julian specialises in English furniture and accessories across wide range, from period 18th century mahogany to Victorian carved oak, all in unrestored condition. You never know what you will find here! Call 07774 281896.

If you feel like browsing through a large antiques centre, a short cross country detour to Somerton, the old County Town of Wessex, is your next stop. Market Cross Antiques Centre has recently combined with another antiques centre in this lovely old market town to play host to a large number of dealers selling furniture and collectibles. They are in West Street, and the phone number is 01458 274005.

Next stop is to the bustling Somerset town of Castle Cary, complete with original Corn Exchange, to find Primal on Fore Street, Castle Cary, BA7 7BG. Owner Tristram Latimer Sayer stocks eclectic sculptural objects for interiors and exteriors. Period and painted furniture and period garden items too. Call 07768 690056 to make sure he is there – another lone trade who needs to get on the road to buy!

Bruton is the next call! A clutch of shops here, varying from old established traditional antique dealers to vast export trade warehouses.

Quillon House Antiques is the sort of traditional antique shop that has a wonderful smell of old wax that assails you when you walk through the door – housed in fine 16th century Tudor building and displaying a large collection of arms and armour from the 15 – 19th century along with fine period oak and country furniture and an eclectic range of decorative antiques including Venetian Blackamoors, a warm welcome is assured from the knowledgeable owner Peter Magrath on 01749 812269. You will find Quillon House at 15 High Street, Bruton, BA10 0AA.

On the other side of the High Street is The Antique Shop, formerly in Bath for many years, a relocation to the country was decided upon by the owners who deal in oak and mahogany country house furniture with lighting, jewellery and silver, Georgian to Art Deco. Call 01749 813264.

For those people looking to fill a container bound for America or elsewhere, MGR Exports and Station Road Exports share a vast warehouse along the road past the famous 14th century St Mary’s church in Bruton at Station Road, Bruton BA10 0EH. Shipping goods through to period oak and mahogany are stocked here in vast quantities. Packing and shipping of containers is available here. New stock on daily basis. This the place to trade! Call 01749 812460for more information.

Right on the border with Dorset in the village of Templecombe, about 15 miles from Bruton, you will find Ottery Antiques and Restoration. Charles James, the owner, has been dealing in good quality mahogany, walnut, oak and elm furniture from the Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and early Victorian periods for more than twenty years and sells to the trade and public. The restoration service is open to the public and trade alike. Charles is a member of LAPADA See Ottery Antiques or Trade Index for more information.

If you take the A303 from Templecombe to the Ilchester turn off, just a few miles away, you will find another long established Somerset antique dealer who specialises in fine French and English country furniture. Gilbert and Dale Antiques are housed in a converted Methodist chapel on the High Street, Ilchester, BA22 8BA. Roy Gilbert has been travelling to France for many years to find large scale pieces for his showroom which has for many years sold to the USA trade market as well as local private and trade buyers. An on-site restoration service is available.

From Ilchester head down the the A37 and on to the A30 to Chard, a lovely old Somerset town home to Chard Antiques, 23 High Street, Chard, TA20 1QF. Lots of genuine antique pine, restored and unrestored, oak, mahogany and decorative accessories. Chard Antiques welcomes trade and public.

Back on the A303 to Crewkerne to find Crewkerne Antiques Centre, 16 Market Street, Crewkerne TA18 7LA, for a wide selection of furniture, pictures and collectibles, more than 50 dealers here!

Looking for some pretty and stylish? Lafleure, The Corner Shop, Langport, TA10 9PW, stocks antique and period French and English furniture with the accent on upholstery of the best quality, together with mirrors, lighting and decorative items. A charming shop with a second premises across the road dealing in larger architectural items and luxury bed linens.

The next section of the trail through Somerset includes the coastal region and you may consider staying overnight in the Wellington or Taunton area to allow plenty of time to explore what is quite a wide area. A splendid choice would be Bindon Country House at Langford Budville, Wellington, TA21 0RU. Telephone 01823 400070.

Refreshed and ready to start your Antiques Trail again, if you can plan your journey to be in the area on Monday, an early start is advised to be at the Taunton Antiques Market, 25/29 Silver Street, TA1 3DH. This popular weekly antiques market was founded in 1978 and is open from 9 am to 4 pm.

While in Taunton, why not browse the extensive stock at Selwoods, Queen Anne Cottage, Mary Street, TA1 3PE. Mostly furniture here, Victorian and Edwardian.

Leaving Taunton and crossing the M5, if you are looking for an oriental carpet there is a specialist dealer in Wellington, Michael and Amanda Lewis at 8 North Street, TA21 8LT, are only open on Monday and weekends, otherwise you will need to make an appointment on 01823 667430.

The next part of the Antiques Trail takes you across Exmoor National Park on the B3222 to Dulverton. This is such a spectacular part of the country you might feel inclined to stay overnight.

There is a very charming cottage Bed and Breakfast in a riverside location at Staghound Cottages,, Exebridge, Dulverton, TA22 9AZ, telephone 01398 324453 where prices are very reasonable and there is a sitting room for guests in the evening.

Acorn Antiques at 39 High Street, TA22 9DW in Dulverton stocks decorative antiques and fine art, with period upholstery.

If you are collector of antiquarian books on hunting, horses or military history, you could spend a happy hour or two browsing at Rothwell and Dunworth, 2 Bridge Street, TA22 9HJ.

Time to take the scenic route to the Somerset coast, stopping off at Washford. Courtyard Antiques specialises in vernacular furniture and country pine, most of which is restored on site. You may need to call for directions as they are tucked away at the end of long winding lane – Rock Cottage, Torre, Washford, TA23 0LA. Telephone 01984 641619.

Just a few miles away in the pretty coastal town of Watchet, Nick Cotton Fine Art has been dealing from these premises since 1970. Nick deals in superb period oak furniture and paintings 1850 - 2000. Find him at Beachstone House, 46/47 Swain Street, TA23 0AG.

For your final town on the Somerset Antiques Trail, you have a choice – you can take the scenic coast road up to Weston Super Mare or travel back to the M5 and follow the motorway to junction 21. David Hughes has been trading in Weston Super Mare for many years. He deals in an eclectic mix of furniture and often has named Arts and Crafts pieces in stock. He is a specialist exporter, in particular to Australia. You will find the shop at 37 Baker Street. The shop is open during the morning and weekends or by appointment.

Before you leave town at the end of your trip, your last call is to Winters Antiques. Richard Winters is a LAPADA member and has dealt for more than thirty years from this beautiful part of the UK. He specialises in architectural and garden ornaments, decorative items, 19th and 20th century furniture, paintings in oils and watercolours. This is an appointment only visit, so please call ahead on 01934 814610.

If you want to buy just a few items and don't think you will need to fill a whole container, Mark Chudley Shipping offer a very competitive groupage service into Atlanta with an on carriage service to other states. This is really inexpensive way to get your goods home to the States. For any other locations, call Chudleys on +44(0)1460 557700. Based in Somerset, they are ideally located to collect from this Antiques Trail!

We hope you enjoy your tour of Somerset and invite comments from readers Email Antiques News