Inside Antiques Road Trip Star Bee Harford's Life and Career
Bee Harford has rapidly become a recognisable figure on BBC's Antiques Road Trip since joining the programme in late 2025. The 31-year-old auctioneer, whose real first name is Briony, serves as regional manager for Yorkshire and the North East at the prestigious auction house Bonhams. She now appears alongside established presenters like Natasha Raskin Sharp, Izzie Balmer, and Margie Cooper on the popular television series.
Early Life and Educational Background
Harford was raised in the Malvern Hills, where art played a central role in her childhood. Her parents operated a graphic design agency from their family home, fostering her early appreciation for creativity. She pursued art history at the University of Nottingham for her undergraduate degree, followed by a Master's in fine and decorative art. In an interview on the Bonhams website, she recalled, "From the very first auction we attended in class, I was hooked. I was - and still am - completely sold on the drama and excitement of it all."
Career Progression and Television Breakthrough
After completing her studies, Bee built her reputation as an auctioneer and valuer, ascending to the role of regional manager at Bonhams. Her television career began on The Travelling Auctioneers, where hosts journey across the country with a mobile auction house, before she transitioned to Antiques Road Trip. She announced her new role on Instagram last year, expressing, "It is an incredible honour to be part of this fantastic show and I cannot wait to get involved."
In her announcement video, she added, "I have been paired with the absolute legend that is Raj Bisram, so I know that it's going to be thoroughly enjoyable, a lot of fun and I will have some stiff competition I expect along the way." Harford also shared her specific interests, stating, "I have a real interest in paintings, silver and beautiful jewellery so I am hoping that along my road trip journey I find some little gems that will hopefully make me a good profit at auction."
Groundbreaking Achievements in Auctioneering
Bee Harford has established herself as a pioneer in the auction world. In 2021, she became the first female auctioneer in over four decades to take the rostrum at the Staffordshire Motorcycle Show, and she now presides over those motorcycle auctions twice annually. She further revealed on the Bonhams website, "In 2024, I became the first female auctioneer in Bonhams' history to wield my gavel for our esteemed and prolific car auctions. I was honoured to conduct the Audrain Concours Auction in Newport, Rhode Island, selling a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster for an outstanding $1,160,000."
Personal Life and Hobbies
Bee maintains a relatively private personal life, with her social media accounts primarily focusing on her professional endeavours. It is not publicly known whether she is married. She has, however, shared her passion for collecting, humorously describing herself in a Bonhams interview as "a bit of a magpie."
She elaborated, "I am attracted to anything shiny – I collect antique jewellery and antique silver personally. I am also known to buy bronzes. My favourite being a sweet little Japanese 19th Century crab that I bought from an antiques fair – no bigger than two inches squared but he sits on my sideboard and gets a lucky pat on the head most mornings!"
