Adrian Higham Partner: The Story of Love, Business, and Shared Passion

When viewers first fell in love with Adrian “Adi” Higham on the BBC’s antiques show The Bidding Room, many were charmed by his easy‑going nature, his eye for vintage treasures, and his genuine passion for French brocante. Yet for all his on‑screen charisma, what truly defines Adrian’s personal life and professional journey is not just his antiques expertise — it’s the partnership he shares with his partner and wife, Tara Franklin.

Whether you’re an antiques enthusiast, a fan of British daytime television, or someone curious about how creative partnerships shape personal and professional life, the story of Adrian Higham partner Tara offers a rich portrait of resilience, collaboration, and mutual support.

Understanding the Phrase “Adrian Higham Partner”

At first glance, the keyword “Adrian Higham partner” might seem straightforward — a simple query about who stands beside the beloved antiques dealer. But the reality is deeper and more layered than a name alone. The phrase points to:

• A life partner and spouse
• A professional collaborator
• A creative influence on his work
• A support system during personal challenges

In other words, when people search for information about Adrian Higham’s partner, they are ultimately trying to understand the person who has been central to both his personal happiness and his public success. And that person is Tara Franklin — a woman who is far more than a “plus‑one” in his story.

Who Is Adrian Higham? A Brief Background

Before we explore the partnership itself, it helps to understand the context of Adrian Higham’s life and career. Higham — often called Adi — is a British antique dealer and television personality known for his appearances on BBC One’s The Bidding Room. He built his expertise over decades of sourcing, restoring, and selling unique antiques and collectibles, particularly French brocante pieces such as vintage toys, decorative items, and rustic furniture.

Born in 1969, Adrian’s journey in the antiques world began almost by accident at the age of 21, when he bought a mountain bike for £10 at a village auction and later sold it for £90 — a formative experience that revealed his instinct for value and sparked his lifelong pursuit.

Over time, he developed a thriving business called Hoof Brocante, based in Romney Marsh on the East Sussex–Kent border, which became known for its eclectic mix of French decorative antiques and vintage treasures. His television exposure on The Bidding Room introduced his expertise and personality to a nationwide audience.

But behind every story of professional success — especially one that spans personal hardship and public visibility — is often a private life shaped by close relationships. For Adrian, that relationship is with Tara Franklin.

The Core Answer: Who Is Adrian Higham’s Partner?

When people search for “Adrian Higham partner,” the answer they are looking for is:

Tara Franklin — Adrian Higham’s long‑time partner, wife, and business collaborator.

Tara is not simply someone who occasionally appears beside him in photos or on television. She is deeply embedded in his professional world, helping to co‑run their antiques business, organize events, shape buying choices, and present the welcoming environment that Hoof Brocante has become known for.

For many outside observers, the partnership between Adrian and Tara offers a rare example of a blended personal and professional relationship that thrives on shared passion and mutual respect. From sourcing trips in France to hosting customers at vintage fairs, their collaboration is both a creative and emotional union.

Who Is Tara Franklin? Person, Dealer, Partner

Although more private than her husband, Tara Franklin is an antiques dealer in her own right, with a particular eye for vintage French textiles, linens, and stylish brocante pieces. Her expertise complements Adrian’s strengths in unique decorative objects and collectibles.

Her Role in Hoof Brocante

Tara plays a significant role at Hoof Brocante, the antiques business central to both her and Adrian’s lives. Based in historic buildings on a former RAF base in Romney Marsh, Hoof Brocante offers a curated selection of French and other European decorative antiques, vintage clothing, textiles, and curiosities.

While Adrian is often out sourcing and negotiating the purchase of striking items, Tara’s presence helps shape how those pieces are styled, presented, and sold to visitors. Her influence extends to interior display decisions, event coordination, and the creation of a welcoming customer experience that reflects the couple’s shared aesthetic.

Her Event and Public Engagement Work

Beyond the shop itself, Tara has been involved in organizing and contributing to antiques fairs and events, such as the Penshurst Vintage & Antiques Fair, which brings together a community of dealers and collectors. Her organizational skills and eye for presentation help elevate these events from simple markets into immersive vintage experiences.

A Private Person in a Public World

Although she participates in public events related to antiques and occasionally appears in media connected to Hoof Brocante and antiques fairs, Tara generally keeps a lower personal profile compared with Adrian’s television persona. This balance allows her to focus on the areas she loves — decorating, sourcing vintage textiles, and engaging with customers — without becoming a public figure in the conventional sense.

How Their Partnership Began: Love After Loss

Tara did not enter Adrian’s life until after a significant chapter in his personal story. Adrian’s first wife died in 2003, a loss that profoundly affected him and shaped his life for many years afterward. This period was marked by grief, emotional struggle, and challenges that played out both privately and publicly over time.

In the years that followed, Adrian faced health difficulties that were connected both to his emotional state and broader personal habits, including weight gain that eventually led to health scares and hospitalisation.

In this context, Tara’s presence in his life became transformative. Their relationship evolved from friendship to partnership, and eventually to marriage — offering not only personal happiness but also professional collaboration. Their shared interests and mutual understanding helped both of them navigate life’s upheavals together.

This journey — from grief to renewal, loss to shared purpose — adds emotional depth to the simple keyword “Adrian Higham partner.” It is not merely a label, but a story of second chances, resilience, and the power of connection.

A Relationship Built on Shared Passion for Antiques

Unlike celebrity partnerships that are purely personal, Adrian and Tara’s relationship is deeply intertwined with their professional lives.

Shared Aesthetic and Business Vision

From sourcing trips in France to styling vintage textiles and decorative pieces, both Adrian and Tara contribute their own tastes and instincts to the business. This shared creative vision means Hoof Brocante is not only a collection of objects, but a reflection of their joint aesthetic and personality.

Visitors to Hoof Brocante — whether in person on the Romney Marsh or through social media — often note that the feel of the space and the curation of items seem personal and lived‑in, rather than purely commercial. This ambiance is a direct result of Tara and Adrian’s collaboration.

Complementary Skills

Adrian’s longstanding experience and passionate eye for unusual pieces is complemented by Tara’s sense of presentation and organisation. Together they bring antiques to life in a way that resonates with customers, collectors, and casual browsers alike.

This complementary partnership — where each person contributes distinct strengths — is a model for how creative relationships can enhance both life and business. It’s a reminder that successful ventures often need both vision and care, inspiration and execution.

Private Life, Public Appreciation

Despite their professional collaboration and occasional public appearances at fairs and markets, Adrian and Tara maintain a relatively low public profile when it comes to their private life.

No Widely Reported Children Together

While Adrian has children from his first marriage, there are no publicly confirmed reports that he and Tara have children together. This part of their life remains largely private, and like many aspects of their personal story, it reflects a deliberate choice to focus public attention on their work and shared passions rather than familial details.

Residence and Lifestyle

The couple is based in East Sussex, where they run Hoof Brocante and often host visitors, collectors, and antiques enthusiasts. Their lifestyle also includes frequent trips to France, especially to regions like Pays de la Loire, where many of their inventory pieces are sourced.

This bi‑national lifestyle — sourcing treasures in France and selling them in the UK — reflects both practicality and passion. It is a way of life built around shared interests, aesthetic exploration, and entrepreneurial adventure.

Partnership Through Challenges

Adrian’s life has not been without hardship, and Tara’s role as his partner takes on additional significance when viewed through the lens of those challenges.

Health Struggles and Emotional Support

Adrian’s weight gain following the death of his first wife led to serious health issues that affected his daily life and public activity. Collapsing on a ferry due to excess weight became a public story and a wake‑up call for him, prompting efforts toward healthier habits.

Although specific private details are not widely shared, it is clear from interviews and public narratives that Tara has been a steadfast supporter during these times. Whether it’s encouraging healthy changes or offering emotional stability, her presence has been central to Adrian’s journey through health recovery.

Shared Resilience and Emotional Anchoring

Their partnership is not just business synergy — it is emotional anchoring. Building a life together after loss requires patience, resilience, and mutual understanding. The fact that Adrian and Tara have sustained both a romantic and professional partnership over many years speaks to the depth of their bond.

In interviews and features, this aspect of partnership — rooted in emotional mutual support — often underlies the public perception of them. Their shared resilience adds richness to what “Adrian Higham partner” really means.

How Their Partnership Influences Fans and Collectors

For viewers of The Bidding Room and visitors to Hoof Brocante, the couple’s dynamic provides a warm, human dimension to the often solitary world of antique collecting.

Fans Appreciate the Team Behind the Dealer

While Adrian’s personality and expertise attract fans, many viewers are equally intrigued by how his personal life and partnership inform his approach to antiques. Knowing that someone shares his vision and helps shape the business makes the narrative more relatable and complete.

A Model of Collaborative Success

Their story offers a model of how love and work can coexist without one overshadowing the other. For many people who value both personal fulfilment and professional creativity, Adrian and Tara’s partnership is an example of how collaborative effort can heighten both quality of life and business success.

Retreats, Travel, and Shared Inspiration

A key part of understanding the phrase “Adrian Higham partner” is recognizing how travel and mutual inspiration shape their work.

French Buying Trips

A cornerstone of Hoof Brocante’s inventory is its French sourcing. Adrian and Tara frequently travel to France — especially regions known for antique markets and brocante — to find pieces that align with their aesthetic vision. These trips are not just logistical necessities; they are creative excursions where both partners hunt for treasures and tastes that reflect their shared style.

Blending Business With Pleasure

Their travels also serve as moments of personal reconnection, relaxation, and artistic discovery. Blending work with pleasure helps define the deeper meaning behind their partnership: it is not just about making sales, but about building a life rich with shared experiences and stories — a principle that underpins the emotional allure of antiques themselves.

Conclusion: What “Adrian Higham Partner” Truly Represents

So, who is Adrian Higham’s partner? The short answer is Tara Franklin — but defining her solely by a name doesn’t capture the richness of her role.

The phrase “Adrian Higham partner” encompasses:

• A life partner and spouse
• A creative collaborator in business
• An emotional support through challenges
• A co‑visionary in antiques collecting and curation
• A warm presence in events and customer experience
• A stabilizing force during periods of hardship

Together, Adrian and Tara have built more than an antiques business — they have crafted a life shaped by shared passion, mutual respect, and the enduring joy of discovering and presenting objects with history and meaning.

Their story shows that a partnership, when grounded in both personal connection and professional alignment, becomes much more than the sum of its parts. It becomes a source of strength, inspiration, and purpose.

So the next time someone searches “Adrian Higham partner,” they won’t just find a name — they’ll uncover a story of love, resilience, creative collaboration, and shared life’s work.