A pre-war Hornby Dublo set in honest condition, a magnum of sparkling perry, a Regency library table and a stack of unsold country-mart china — four online-only sales over the next fortnight, each with its own crowd. All four let you bid from your sofa, so here’s what’s worth registering for.
What’s in the Ulverston Auction Mart timed sale?
This is a timed auction of lots that went unsold on 24 June, which usually means sensible estimates and dealers picking up household ceramics and glass at trade money. Classic country-mart fare, and a good place to furnish a dresser cheaply.
The porcelain leads, with an assortment in the style of KPM Berlin in floral and gilt, a set of eight floral plates with gilded rims, and a trio of Japanese export eggshell porcelain — that translucent, almost weightless body fine-tableware collectors prize. For the décor crowd there’s a large footed cut crystal centrepiece in the American Brilliant Period style, deep mitre-cut hobstars that scatter light across a room.
- Antique copper chestnut roaster — a proper fireside conversation piece
- Collection of Torquay Pottery motto ware souvenir jugs
- Art Deco dish in the Orange Tree pattern
- Two mid-century musical decanters with figurines inside
- Pair of George II style beehive brass candlesticks
When and where: online only on Friday 26 June 2026 from 5:00 pm (BST), from North Lonsdale Terrace, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 9AU. How to bid: register on the live Bidspirit catalogue and bid online. Browse the lots on the Ulverston timed auction listing, or see what’s next from Ulverston Auction Mart.
What’s in the Darwen Auctioneers vintage toy auction?
For my money the most fun catalogue of the four. Darwen’s Vintage & Retro Toy Auction reads like a layout builder’s wishlist — railway, Subbuteo, diecast and consoles together.
The railway headline is a Hornby Dublo pre-war three-rail electric Sir Nigel Gresley passenger set; genuinely early, and honest pre-war Dublo always draws a crowd. Around it runs a strong line of modern Hornby Sentinel diesels and a wagon collector’s haul of liveried tank wagons from Bachmann and Lima. On the green baize, the heavyweight Subbuteo teams are the real chase.
- Hornby Sentinel diesels: Manchester Ship Canal No. 3001 and Hitachi ‘Chiaki Ueda’
- Bachmann and Lima tank wagons — Ronuk, United Molasses, Pratts Spirit, CWS milk service
- Class 142 Pacer in GMPTE livery
- Subbuteo heavyweight teams: Ajax (ref. 56), Newcastle United (ref. 8), West Ham (ref. 7), Brazil (ref. 50)
Terms: specialist-auction commission of 20% + VAT on the hammer price per lot, £1 + VAT minimum on lots under £6, postage from £10 + VAT. When and where: online only on Monday 29 June 2026 from 5:00 pm (BST), at The Old Co-Op Bakehouse, Borough Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2FT. See the vintage toy auction catalogue or follow Darwen Auctioneers.
When is the Darwen Auctioneers spirits and wines sale?
The day after the toys, Darwen runs an Alcohol Auction of Spirits & Wines — one for miniature collectors, label hunters and anyone after an unusual digestif. The continental flavour is strong.
There’s a magnum of Charlemagne Reserve sparkling perry, a 1981 bottle of Nocino Toschi walnut liqueur, and Stock 84 brandy in both V.S.O.P. and the six-year Gran Riserva. Cognac drinkers get a litre of Hine Fine Champagne V.S.O.P., and the whisky end stays honest and affordable.
- Two bottles of Bénédictine D.O.M. herbal liqueur
- Litres of Bell’s, The Famous Grouse and a Jameson Irish whiskey
- Wade porcelain Bell’s miniature decanter — ornament as much as dram
- Several Italian and Greek miniatures for shelf collectors
Terms: general-auction commission of 20% + VAT on each hammer price, £1 + VAT minimum under £6. When and where: online only on Tuesday 30 June 2026 from 5:00 pm (BST), from Darwen, Lancashire. Have a look at the spirits and wines auction listing, or follow Darwen Auctioneers.
What’s in the Country Auctions & Antiques Royal Doulton sale?
The biggest spread comes a little later, from Country Auctions & Antiques in Winchcombe — Royal Doulton, modern pictures, furniture and Victorian ceramics with real depth.
Furniture buyers will go straight for the Regency mahogany leather-top library writing table, a proper period piece for a study. Picture collectors are spoilt by a strong run of signed limited-edition Jolomo (John Lowrie Morrison) prints, including a moonlit coastal scene and ‘Evening Gloaming, Easdale Island’. Underpinning it all is a serious quantity of Victorian relief-moulded stoneware jugs by named makers — a quietly collectable, often undervalued category.
- Alexander Millar giclées: ‘Norries Bar’ and ‘Dominoes Nite’
- Several Paul Horton limited editions, including ‘When We Were Kings’
- Constance Spry for Fulham Pottery acanthus-leaf mantle vase
- Scale model 1919 Garrett showman’s traction engine ‘Pendle Princess’
- Two volumes of the 1936 Berlin Olympics cigarette-card albums
- Relief-moulded jugs by Ridgway, Minton, Copeland, T. & R. Boote and Edward Walley
When and where: online only on Friday 10 July 2026 from 6:00 pm (BST), at 8 High Street, Winchcombe, near Cheltenham. How to bid: despite the in-room address, all bidding is online — register on the live catalogue first. View the Royal Doulton and antiques catalogue or follow Country Auctions & Antiques.
How do I bid on these UK auctions?
All four are online only via the live Bidspirit catalogues linked on each listing. Register and get approved before the start time, then bid live or leave an absentee maximum. Browse more upcoming UK auctions while you’re here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which UK auctions are coming up over the next fortnight?
Four online-only sales: Ulverston Auction Mart's timed ceramics sale (26 June 2026), Darwen Auctioneers' vintage toy auction (29 June) and spirits & wines auction (30 June), and Country Auctions & Antiques' Royal Doulton sale in Winchcombe (10 July).
When and where is the Darwen Auctioneers vintage toy auction?
It is online only, starting Monday 29 June 2026 at 5:00 pm (BST), held by Darwen Auctioneers at The Old Co-Op Bakehouse, Borough Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 2FT.
How do I bid at these auctions?
All four are online only via live Bidspirit catalogues linked on each Auction Eagle listing. Register and get approved before the start time, then bid live or leave an absentee maximum.
Is there a buyer's premium or commission?
Darwen Auctioneers charge 20% + VAT commission on each lot's hammer price, with a £1 + VAT minimum on lots under £6. Check each house's terms on its listing, as charges vary by auctioneer.
What are the standout lots across the four sales?
A pre-war Hornby Dublo Sir Nigel Gresley set, signed Jolomo and Alexander Millar prints, a Regency mahogany library writing table, a Hine V.S.O.P. Cognac, and American Brilliant Period cut crystal.
When is the Country Auctions & Antiques Royal Doulton sale?
Online only on Friday 10 July 2026 from 6:00 pm (BST). Despite the Winchcombe address at 8 High Street, near Cheltenham, all bidding is conducted online, not in the room.
