Thimbles represent a compelling slice of social history as well as miniature vehicles for artistic expression – it’s little wonder they hold such enduring appeal for today’s collectors

Collected by royals and rock stars alike, and with prices to suit all budgets, these quirky floral ceramics have an eye-catching appeal that shows no sign of waning

Under-celebrated and misunderstood, this appealing speckled pottery, which was once mass-produced, is surprisingly elusive today

Visiting art galleries and their acclaimed masterpieces is one thing, but the real satisfaction of being an art lover lies in building a collection of your own. Here are some expert tips on how to do just that

Bucolic scenes of courting couples and peasants harvesting hay typify toile de Jouy, but there’s more to this cloth, which graced the wardrobes and interiors of 18th and 19th-century France

Martin Millard, director of Cheffins auction house, shares his expertise on collecting Martinware grotesques, from their beginnings to current auction value

Usually seen in pairs, antique Staffordshire dogs are charming additions to a mantelpiece. Discover why they're so collectable

Whether stationary or moving at a gentle rumble, vintage trains and trams are a wonderful way to step back in time and embrace your spirit of adventure

Champagne picnics, alliums in bloom and stiletto heels sinking into the lawn can only mean one thing: Glyndebourne’s opera season has begun. Established in 1934, Glyndebourne Festival turns 90 this year, with five operas performed from May to August, and an autumn season in October. Just six kilometres away lies the historic market town of Lewes, on the edge of the South Downs National Park

Once you’ve ambled around Brno’s cobbled squares and admired its castle, cathedral and terracotta-tiled homes, you may be left wondering why so many tourists overlook the Czech Republic’s second-largest city

This fiercely independent, bohemian town keeps on improving and is a place to shop and saunter before heading down the Devon lanes to explore the hamlets and creeks of the River Dart, says Rosanna Morris

Driven by a passion for chocolate, these artisan makers are top of the chocs when it comes to flavour and design, and well worth stopping by for a truffle or two, says Rhiannon Batten