13
Dealers Compared
4
LBMA Members
3
BNTA Members
8
Free Delivery
| Dealer | Founded | Trustpilot | LBMA | BNTA | Free Del. | Walk-in | Storage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BullionByPost | 2008 | 5.0 | — | — | — | Best overall choice for most UK gold buyers | ||
| The Royal Mint | 886 AD | 2.5 | — | — | Best for provenance and long-term vault storage | |||
| Chards | 1964 | 4.9 | — | Best for sovereign collectors and numismatics | ||||
| Atkinsons Bullion | 1990 | 4.9 | — | — | — | Best reviewed dealer — huge Trustpilot track record | ||
| Sharps Pixley | 1796 | 4.8 | — | — | Best walk-in experience in London | |||
| Hatton Garden Metals | 2007 | 4.9 | — | — | — | — | Best for in-person buying in central London | |
| Baird & Co. | 1967 | 4.0 | — | — | — | Best for own-brand bars direct from the refinery | ||
| Gold.co.uk | 2012 | 4.7 | — | — | — | Best for VAT-free silver storage | ||
| BullionVault | 2005 | 4.7 | — | — | — | — | Best for low-cost digital gold ownership | |
| The Gold Bullion Company | 1993 | 5.0 | — | — | — | Best Trustpilot-rated dealer (5.0/5) | ||
| Physical Gold | 2008 | 4.9 | — | — | Best for tax-efficient investment advice | |||
| Bleyer Bullion | 2009 | 4.4 | — | — | — | Best buyback guarantee | ||
| ATS Bullion | 2002 | 4.9 | — | — | — | Best for walk-in on the Strand + beginners |
Detailed Dealer Reviews
17,850+ reviews
UK's largest online bullion dealer by volume. Gold and silver bars and coins with massive product range.
Free fully insured delivery on all orders. Next-day tracked over £400.
Pros
- UK's No.1 online bullion dealer — massive range and competitive pricing
- Free insured next-day delivery on all orders, no minimum
- Allocated storage with Brink's of London available
Cons
- Online/phone only — no walk-in retail showroom
- Less personalised service on complex orders
Best overall choice for most UK gold buyers
Visit BullionByPost550+ reviews
UK's official mint. Produces Britannias, Sovereigns, and all UK legal tender gold coins. The Vault storage and DigiGold.
Free over £250, £5 below. Dispatched within 5 working days.
Pros
- Government-backed — ultimate provenance and authenticity guarantee
- The Vault storage facility (Federal Standard 832 Class A) with instant buyback
- Buy CGT-exempt Britannias and Sovereigns direct from source
Cons
- Higher premiums than secondary-market dealers
- 5 working day dispatch — slower than competitors offering next-day
Best for provenance and long-term vault storage
Visit The Royal Mint1,000+ reviews
British gold sovereigns specialist with 5,000+ dated and graded in collection. Numismatic coins and bullion. LBMA full member.
Fully insured delivery via Lloyd's of London. Collection from Blackpool or Hatton Garden showrooms.
Pros
- 60+ years in business — one of the UK's longest-established dealers
- LBMA full member since 2024 — rare for a retail dealer
- Two physical showrooms for walk-in purchases
Cons
- Blackpool HQ less accessible for most UK buyers
- Website less polished than modern competitors
Best for sovereign collectors and numismatics
Visit Chards20,500+ reviews
Gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Authorised distributor for Royal Mint, Perth Mint, PAMP, Metalor, Scottsdale Mint and Umicore.
Free fully insured delivery on all UK orders.
Pros
- Outstanding 4.9 Trustpilot with 20,500+ reviews — strongest social proof in the market
- Free insured delivery on all orders, no minimum
- Authorised distributor for 6 major mints and refiners
Cons
- No walk-in showroom
- Less brand recognition than BullionByPost despite excellent reviews
Best reviewed dealer — huge Trustpilot track record
Visit Atkinsons Bullion2,200+ reviews
Full-service precious metal brokerage. Part of Degussa Group, one of Europe's largest retail physical gold sellers.
Free fully insured delivery. Under £500 via Royal Mail 48; over £500 Special Delivery next day.
Pros
- Walk-in showroom in St James's — premium London buying experience
- LBMA full member — highest industry standards
- Backed by Degussa Group (pan-European gold powerhouse)
Cons
- Walk-in is London only; others rely on postal delivery
- Premiums may be slightly higher given premium positioning
Best walk-in experience in London
Visit Sharps Pixley1,000+ reviews
Family-run dealer in London's historic jewellery quarter. Gold and silver coins and bars with competitive pricing.
£6.50 (up to £1,000), £9.00 (over £1,000). Free walk-in collection from Hatton Garden.
Pros
- Walk-in Hatton Garden counter — buy in person and avoid delivery costs
- Very competitive pricing with low premiums
- 7-day gold price guarantee / price-lock feature
Cons
- Delivery is not free (£6.50–£9) unlike many competitors
- Smaller operation compared to BullionByPost or Atkinsons
Best for in-person buying in central London
Visit Hatton Garden Metals270+ reviews
UK's largest gold refinery. Produces own-brand bars in-house. LBMA full member since 2000.
Fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery. ~£11 delivery fee. ~20 business day dispatch.
Pros
- UK's largest refinery — manufactures their own bars in-house
- LBMA full member since 2000
- Hatton Garden showroom with over-the-counter cash trade
Cons
- 20 business day dispatch — significantly slower than competitors
- Delivery charges apply (not free)
Best for own-brand bars direct from the refinery
Visit Baird & Co.1,600+ reviews
Large-scale gold investment and vaulting. Sister site to BullionByPost (same parent company). Positioned for serious investors.
Free fully insured home delivery. Storage withdrawal: 0.35% + £25 handling.
Pros
- Same team and infrastructure as BullionByPost
- VAT-free silver storage — save 20% on silver investments
- Competitive storage fees: 0.65% + VAT p.a.
Cons
- Can be confusing to distinguish from BullionByPost
- Storage withdrawal incurs fees
Best for VAT-free silver storage
Visit Gold.co.uk3,000+ reviews
Online peer-to-peer precious metals marketplace. Not a traditional dealer — buy fractional shares of LBMA Good Delivery bars stored in professional vaults.
No physical delivery — bullion stays in professional vaults (London, Zurich, New York, Toronto, Singapore).
Pros
- Lowest-cost way to own gold — commissions from 0.05%, storage 0.12% p.a.
- Peer-to-peer marketplace means tight buy/sell spreads
- Vaults in 5 countries for geographic diversification
Cons
- No physical delivery — you never hold the gold yourself
- Not for those who want specific coins or collectibles
Best for low-cost digital gold ownership
Visit BullionVault460+ reviews
Gold bullion coins and bars. Official Royal Mint Partner. Authorised distributor for Perth Mint, PAMP and Umicore.
Fully insured delivery. Many customers report next-day. Secure collection from Wolverhampton.
Pros
- Perfect 5.0 Trustpilot score — 100,000+ orders fulfilled
- Official Royal Mint Partner and authorised distributor for 3 major mints
- 30+ years in business with secure collection facility
Cons
- Wolverhampton location less known than London/Birmingham dealers
- Smaller online profile than BullionByPost
Best Trustpilot-rated dealer (5.0/5)
Visit The Gold Bullion Company500+ reviews
CGT-exempt gold coins and tax-efficient investment advice. Led by Daniel Fisher with 25+ years in finance.
Free fully insured tracked delivery anywhere in the UK, or insured segregated storage.
Pros
- BNTA member — strict Code of Ethics for buyer protection
- Strong focus on tax-efficient gold investment advice
- Led by Daniel Fisher with 25 years of financial expertise
Cons
- More consultative approach — not for quick click-and-buy
- Less brand recognition for pure retail buying
Best for tax-efficient investment advice
Visit Physical Gold200+ reviews
Gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium. Personal boutique service with strong buyback guarantee.
Free fully insured UK delivery.
Pros
- Guaranteed buyback at ~98% of spot price
- One of few UK dealers offering rhodium
- Personal boutique service with emphasis on customer relationships
Cons
- Lower Trustpilot score (4.4) than some competitors
- Rural Devon location — purely online/phone for most
Best buyback guarantee
Visit Bleyer Bullion420+ (eKomi) reviews
Investment-grade gold and silver with heritage rooted in Spink (est. 1666). LBMA Good Delivery refiner products.
Royal Mail Special Delivery, fully insured.
Pros
- BNTA member with heritage tracing back to Spink (1666)
- No minimum order — accessible to absolute beginners
- Walk-in at Savoy Court, metres from the Strand
Cons
- Limited Trustpilot reviews (21) — most reviews on eKomi
- Delivery charges not included in price
Best for walk-in on the Strand + beginners
Visit ATS BullionTypical Gold Premiums Over Spot Price
All UK gold dealers charge a premium above the spot price. Here are typical premiums for the most popular products:
| Product | Typical Premium | CGT Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1oz Gold Britannia | 3–6% | CGT Free | New coins carry slightly higher premiums than secondary market |
| Gold Sovereign | 3–10% | CGT Free | Efficient online dealers ~3–5%; high street 8–10% |
| 1oz Gold Bar (LBMA) | 1–5% | Subject to CGT | Lowest premium; larger bars (100g–1kg) at 1–3% |
| 1oz Krugerrand | 3–7% | Subject to CGT | World's most traded gold coin; not UK legal tender |
How to Choose a Gold Dealer in the UK
1. Trust Signals
- LBMA membership: The London Bullion Market Association is the gold standard (4 dealers in our list hold this)
- BNTA membership: The British Numismatic Trade Association enforces a strict Code of Ethics (3 dealers hold this)
- Trustpilot score: Look for 4.5+ with hundreds of reviews — volume matters more than a perfect score
- Companies House registration: Verify the company is a registered UK business
2. Pricing and Premiums
- Compare the total cost including delivery, not just the listed price
- Premiums of 3–6% for coins and 1–5% for bars are normal
- Be wary of premiums significantly below the market norm — if it looks too good to be true, it usually is
3. Delivery and Insurance
- 8 of 13 dealers in our comparison offer free fully insured delivery
- Next-day tracked and signed delivery is industry standard for orders over £500
- If you're buying in London, dealers like Sharps Pixley and Hatton Garden Metals offer walk-in collection
4. Storage Options
- The Royal Mint's Vault is fully allocated and independently audited
- BullionVault offers the cheapest storage at 0.12% p.a. for gold
- Gold.co.uk offers VAT-free silver storage, saving you 20%
VAT
- Gold: Investment gold is VAT-free (bars 99.5%+ pure, coins 90%+ pure)
- Silver: Subject to 20% VAT on all forms unless stored in a bonded vault
Capital Gains Tax
- UK Legal Tender Coins: Britannias and Sovereigns are CGT-exempt — you keep 100% of profits
- Everything else: Gold bars, Krugerrands, silver — subject to CGT on profits above your annual allowance
About This Guide
Independent Research: This comparison is based on publicly available information including dealer websites, Trustpilot reviews, LBMA and BNTA membership directories, and Companies House records. We update this guide regularly.
How We Make Money: Some links may be affiliate links in future. Currently this guide earns no commission. This doesn't affect our ratings or recommendations.
Important: Prices, delivery terms, and stock availability change frequently. Always verify current details directly with the dealer before making a purchase. Gold can go down as well as up in value. This guide is for informational purposes and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best gold dealer in the UK?
It depends on your priorities. BullionByPost is the largest by volume with free delivery and a perfect 5.0 Trustpilot score. The Royal Mint offers ultimate provenance as the official UK mint with vault storage. Atkinsons has 20,500+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.9/5. If you want to buy in person, Sharps Pixley and Hatton Garden Metals have walk-in showrooms in London.
Is it safe to buy gold online in the UK?
Yes, buying from established UK dealers is safe. Look for BNTA membership (Atkinsons, ATS Bullion, Physical Gold), LBMA membership (Royal Mint, Chards, Baird & Co, Sharps Pixley), Companies House registration, and strong Trustpilot reviews with high volume. All 13 dealers in our guide have physical UK presence. Never buy from unverified social media sellers.
What are typical gold premiums over spot price?
Gold Britannias typically carry 3–6% over spot, Sovereigns 3–10% (commonly 5–6%), and 1oz gold bars 1–5%. Premiums are higher during strong demand periods. CGT-exempt coins like Britannias often provide better after-tax returns despite their higher premiums, especially for 5+ year holding periods.
Which UK gold dealers offer free delivery?
BullionByPost, Atkinsons, Sharps Pixley, Bleyer Bullion, Physical Gold, Gold.co.uk, and The Gold Bullion Company all offer free fully insured delivery on all orders. The Royal Mint offers free delivery over £250. Chards includes insured delivery on all orders. Hatton Garden Metals charges £6.50–£9 but offers free walk-in collection.
What does BNTA membership mean?
The British Numismatic Trade Association (founded 1973) requires members to follow a strict Code of Ethics covering authenticity, transparency and fair dealing. BNTA actively combats forgery and theft, and provides dispute resolution for customers. It's an important trust signal — current members in our guide are Atkinsons, ATS Bullion, and Physical Gold.
Should I buy gold coins or gold bars?
UK legal tender gold coins (Britannias and Sovereigns) are CGT-exempt, so you pay no Capital Gains Tax on profits. Gold bars have lower premiums (1–5% vs 3–6%) but are subject to CGT. For most UK investors, CGT-free coins provide better after-tax returns over 5+ year holding periods, despite their higher upfront premium.
What's the cheapest way to buy gold in the UK?
For physical gold, look for dealers offering free delivery and competitive premiums. BullionByPost and Atkinsons both offer free insured delivery with no minimum order. For the absolute lowest cost per gram, BullionVault's peer-to-peer marketplace charges commissions from 0.05% with storage at 0.12% p.a. — but you won't hold the physical gold yourself.
How do I store physical gold safely?
Options include home safes (ensure adequate home insurance), bank safety deposit boxes (£200–500/year), or allocated storage with dealers. The Royal Mint's Vault (1–2% p.a.) is government-backed and independently audited. BullionVault offers the cheapest vaulting at 0.12% p.a. Gold.co.uk provides VAT-free silver storage with Brink's.
About the Author
Founder & Market Researcher
Taro has been actively investing in precious metals and financial markets for over 15 years. Frustrated by the lack of transparent, accurate gold pricing information in the UK, he built London Gold Exchange as a data-driven resource for fellow investors. The site combines real-time market data, verified dealer information from 242+ UK businesses, and insights drawn from years of hands-on experience in the gold market.
- ✓15+ years investing in precious metals & equities
- ✓Built verified database of 242+ UK gold dealers
- ✓Daily market data analysis and price tracking