Two leading TV antiques experts are hoping to make the county richer by millions of pounds.
With current estimates suggesting every household harbours an average of £7,200 worth of jewellery and £6,400 of antique furniture, Norfolk homeowners could be sitting on a fortune.
Next week sees Antiques Roadshow’s Adam Schoon host a day-long free valuation at Hansons Auctioneers’ Norfolk saleroom in Roughton on May 13.
A day before James Gooch from The Bidding Room will be on hand at Westacre Theatre near King’s Lynn to uncover hidden treasures.
Asian art specialist, Adam Schoon, said: “If you have ever wondered what that strange-looking vase passed down your family for generations really is – and what it’s worth – this is the ideal opportunity.”
In 2016 an 18th-century Chinese vase, which had been used as a doorstep for 36 years, wenton to sell for £650,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ Derby saleroom.
Buckinghamshire-based James Gooch regularly appears on the popular show, hosted by Nigel Havers, which sees dealers bid on items brought in by members of the public.
He said: “I’m hopeful in a county like Norfolk, where so much has remained quietly untouched for generations, will be exactly the place to discover pieces with real age, surface and story.
“I am hoping to uncover items that haven’t been over-restored or over-exposed to the market and objects that have quietly sat in homes for decades, unrecognised.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Norfolk, said: “With petrol prices spiralling and inflation set to soar, few of us would not welcome a financial windfall this summer. And yours could be just days away.
“With research suggesting Brits could be sitting on billions of pounds worth of unconsidered items, attics are one of the most overlooked sources of hidden value in the UK.”
In 2020 a tiny ‘teapot’ found during a lockdown clear-out in a Derbyshire garage, and almost given to a charity shop, sold for £390,000.
Hanson continued: “All types of antiques excel under the hammer but today demand is particularly strong for Chinese and Oriental ceramics and works of art. But they are notoriously hard to value.
“Complicated reign marks that can make the difference between a priceless piece and a worthless one. And correctly identifying them takes years of study and are the domain of all but the most skilled specialist, like Adam.”
Event Details
Valuations with The Bidding Room’s James Gooch
Date & Time: 12th May 2026 | 12noon – 2pm
Location: Westacre Theatre, River Road, West Acre, King’s Lynn, PE32 1UD
Valuations with Antiques Roadshow Expert Adam Schoon
Date & Time: 13th May 2026 | 10am – 4pm
Location: Hansons Norfolk Saleroom, The Old Bakery, Groveland, Thorpe Market Rd, NR11 8TB
