The Great Antiques Trail   -  Buying trips with a difference!

"The Great Antiques Trail" is a real chance for all those interested in antiques, whether it be for trade, commercial or private reasons  and irrespective of whether they are  oversea buyers visiting the UK or home visitors,  to experience first hand the opportunities, delights and tremendous value that can be found amongst independent antique dealers dealing and plying their trade through a variety of antique outlets situated in the Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge and East Anglia regions of the UK.


Great Antiques TrailThose "enlisting"  for  "The Great Antiques Trail" will have a truly memorable and unforgettable day - its an Antiques Road Trip with a differance, during which they will visit at least 3 major Antique Centres, Shops and other outlets where they will have the opportunity to see over 100+ different Dealers' stock of fine Antique Furniture & Collectables , including Artwork, Lighting, Jewellery and other related items covering all periods from the 16th Century onwards and of course, have the opportunity to buy such, often at greatly discounted "trade" prices.

Those participating will be accompanied and have the services and advice throughout the day of a personal guide - a professional Antiques Dealer -  to assist and call on when needed. 

Each trip is personally planned so as to cater for the specific needs and interests of those attending. In this regard,you will be first met on the day at a pre-arranged time and collection/meeting point and returned to the same at the end of the day. Initially there will be coffee (or tea if preferred) at the premises and showrooms of Bumpstead Antiques and Interiors where there will be the opportunity to browse and view the wide variety of stock on display over a coffee or tea and light refreshments whilst also having an informal talk about antiques generally and discussing any particular preferences you have for the day.

Thereafter, you will be chauffeured to the first of as many other professional shops and outlets as your guide can sensibly take you too,  having regard to time and your preferences as stated.  At each venue you will be left to browse freely through the same. Should you wish to seek the help and advice of your Guide on any items that  you are interested in at any time,  he will be on hand to assist, even to the extent (should you so wish) of negotiating on your behalf the best "trade" price of any item(s) you wish to buy so as to ensure you always get the "best price" available. Such discounts alone can often cover the cost of the day!


During the day, in addition to visiting no less than 3 major Antique Centres and outlets as stated, you will also have the opportunity of lunching at a local hostelry, typically, a "local" English pub renowned for its good and traditional food, drink and value, should you so wish.  Time permitting,  in the afternoon you will also have the opportunity of partaking in a complimentary English "Cream Tea" or other refreshments depending on the locality at the time.

THE OPPORTUNITIES
  provided by "the Great Antiques Trail" to see and buy, often at "trade price",  a wide variety of Antiques and Collectables are immense, the choice and selection innumerable and the available advice and assistance, coupled with the potential savings, invaluable. This is a real opportunity to see and buy antiques on a pre-planned and fully accompanied antiques trail in one of the most comprehensive historic and popular picturesque areas renowned for its Antiques in the UK,  an area which is still often referred to as "Lovejoy Country" after the lovable rogue of the renowned 1980/90's TV programme of the same name and  an area that is often featured in many of the programmes on antiques that appear daily on prime time TV today.  Don't miss it!!
COST per person is  just £125  to include refreshments, a traditional afternoon cream tea or light lunch. 

The number of persons permitted for each day is limited to a maximum of 4 to ensure that a personal service is always given and maintained. Each participant needs to be fit and able as the day is, by its very nature, full in activity and sights.


Should you wish to extend your trip to explore further the historic, picturesque and beautiful  area of Suffolk, Cambridge  and Essex and the  towns and villages visited and through which you will travel,  then we can advise further and even arrange B&B or hotel accomodation for you at a separate cost to you if required. 


BOOKING  for "The Great Antiques Trail" is easy... 
To book your "Great Antiques Trail"  contact Bumpstead Antiques & Interiors - www.bumpsteadantiques.co.uk

EMAIL :-  graham@bumpsteadantiques.co.uk    or 
WRITE,  giving preferred dates for your "trip" to....
Bumpstead Antiques & Interiors   / 
"The Great Antiques Trail"
Melford Antiques, Interiors & Lifestyle Centre.
The Old Maltings,
Hall Street,
Long Melford,
Suffolk, CO10 9JA
 

A minimum, non-refundable deposit of £50.00 per person is payable at the time of booking and the balance is then payable 28 days prior to your Great Antiques Trail once you have decided on the date of your Trip. Please make cheque payments to Graham Hessell (reference "TAGT"). Bank details will be supplied on request if advance payment is to be by direct bank transfer/telegraphic transfer. Credit and debit cards are also acceptable as methods of payment on the day.  NB. Tickts remain vlid for 12 months from the date of booling.

The cost of £125. 00 (per person)  includes:

1. Meet and Greet at the starting point for your day vis a vis MELFORD ANTIQUES, INTERIORS & LIFESTYLE CENTRE, The Old Maltings, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9JA.  Alternatively we can arrange for you to be collected or met at  your hotel or other accomodation should you so wish  or perhaps be met at a local railway station such as Sudbury or Bury St Edmunds or  Cambridge  -although  such will be at additional cost to yourself.  Cambridge City Central BR  station is  approximately 50 mins  minutes journey time from London's Kings Cross/St. Pancreas main line station or Liverpool Street Station.  If travelling by car, Melford Antiques,Interiors & Lifestyle Centre  is approximately 85 miles from Central London and journey time is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes (traffic permitting). 

2. Tea or Coffee and light refreshments on arrival and an initial talk on Antiques incorporaating a question/answer discussion. (approx 30 mins)

3. Chauffeurred vehicle with introductions and accompaniment throughout the day to at least 3 professional Antique Centres, Shops and/or other  outlets.

4. The services, advice and negotiating skills (if required) of your guide - a professional Antiques Dealer.

5. A light Lunch or traditional English Cream Tea or other refreshments in the afternoon (time permitting) and a chance to "catch your breath".

6. Return to Melford Antiques, Interiors & Lifestyle Centre  where there will be a photo-session  torecord and  remember your day & a final chance to discuss your purchases and day and (if required) have a final look round this award winning Centre and say your farewells. Alternative and  pre-arranged drop off/collection points at the end of the day can be arranged if preferred or more convenient vis a vis train stations etc although thismay be subject to additional charge. 

7. N.B. Collection/delivery of  items purchased can be discussed and/or arranged seperately if neccessary on the day if required.. In this regard we have full access to delivery Couriers and World wide Shippers.

Some past testimonials....

"...we had a fabulous day, saw lots, bought lots and saved lots....!"
"..what amazing places we visited - alladins' caves of wonderful antiques..."
"...and a big thank you to our personal guide whose advice, knowledge and assistance was invaluable."
"...thank you for going that extra mile.."
"...simply fabulous, truly memorable and well worth the trip."
"....we'll definitely be back!"