Wherever you go, you’d be hard pressed to find a house without at least a little bit of clutter.

From the kids’ old teddies (well, they might want Ed the Ted for their own children, you see) to receipts from the 1980s (they might take it back after 40 years), attics and basements across the UK are full of what optimists might call ‘keepsakes’ and what others would probably call ‘junk’.

But is it always? If Flog It or Cash in the Attic are anything to go by, our houses are literal gold mines of undiscovered treasures, just waiting to be found amongst the everyday bric-a-brac.

What could your attic hold?
Over the years, some truly priceless artefacts have been uncovered in the homes of unwitting residents. Here’s a list of some of the oddest – and most valuable.

An ‘old box’ that was more than it seemed
A battered looking wooden box, used as a TV stand by an elderly gentleman, was discovered upon his death when his house was being cleared out. This unassuming item turned out to be an ancient Japanese Mazarin Chest, and is valued at a staggering £6.3m.

Rare rugby memorabilia
A treasure trove of extremely rare rugby kit and memorabilia from the turn of the 20th century (including an England shirt from the first ever game in Twickenham in 1910) was found languishing in a dusty box by the great grandson of rugby player and WWI hero Charlie Pritchard. The priceless items are currently on loan to the World Rugby Museum in Twickenham.

Priceless Indian artefacts
The ancestors of a British army officer were amazed to discover a cache of Indian arms taken from a Sultan’s palace at the turn of the 19th century. Wrapped in newspaper and discovered in a dusty Berkshire attic, the weapons, including an ornate, gold-encrusted sword and a gun believed to be the one fired by the ‘Tiger of Mysore’ himself in his final stand against the British in 1799, are expected to fetch millions at auction.

Time for a clear out?
If you’re feeling galvanised into a spring (or winter) clean, then be careful what you chuck out! You too could be sitting on a valuable treasure.

Don’t be underinsured
Have you reviewed your home contents insurance policy and make sure you’re covered for everything you own – including the contents of your attic and basement.

Get in touch with us and we can help find a contents insurance policy that suits your needs. In the meantime – we’re off to watch Antiques Roadshow!

Key takeaways

• You’d be hard pressed to find a UK household without a little clutter
• While you may think it’s junk, some people have found extremely valuable items languishing in attics and basements
• Recent finds include a £6.3m ancient Japanese chest that was being used as a TV stand, valuable rugby memorabilia from the turn of the 20th century and priceless weapons taken from an Indian sultan’s palace
• So, don’t be too eager to chuck away your knick-knacks – who knows how much they’re worth!
• With that in mind, make sure your home insurance policy is adequate and accounts for ALL your contents – including the stuff in your attic.