Nicholas Merchant

Nicholas Merchant is a freelance lecturer in the decorative and fine arts and has been a much-valued lecturer and group leader for Travel Editions tours in the UK and Europe for close to 15 years. His knowledge, wit and erudition illuminate every visit, making his tours informative, interesting and, above all, entertaining.

Nicholas developed his wide knowledge of the decorative arts while working for leading London auction houses, including Sotheby’s and Phillips, now Bonhams. During this period, he qualified as a valuer through the Chartered Institute of Valuers, now part of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He later ran his own specialist book business, focusing on reference works relating to the decorative and fine arts. This introduced him to many leading antique dealers in the UK and overseas and took him to major exhibitions and fairs in London, Paris, Frankfurt and New York.

In 2004, Nicholas joined the lecture panel of what was then the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies, now The Arts Society. He has since lectured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, as well as to audiences in the United States, South Africa and New Zealand. He has also lectured for several cruise lines and served as the West Yorkshire representative for the Art Fund, helping to support its work to preserve important works of art for the nation.

Nicholas leads several Travel Editions tours each year, from Britain’s great country houses and collections to the art, architecture and historic interiors of destinations including Berlin, Potsdam and Dublin. His particular interests include country houses, eighteenth-century furniture, book collecting and travel. By combining detailed knowledge with a warm and convivial style, Nicholas helps guests appreciate not only individual works of art and architecture, but also the collectors, craftsmen and families behind them..