BullionByPost
Best dealerUK's #1 gold dealer — best for physical coins and bars
- Free insured next-day delivery on all orders
- Widest UK gold selection
- CGT-free Britannias and Sovereigns
- Price match guarantee
Coins & Bars
Free next day
£40
at bullionbypost.co.uk
Why #1?
BullionByPost is the best way to buy physical gold in the UK. Free next-day delivery, the widest selection, and 42,000+ reviews make them unbeatable for coins and bars. CGT-free options (Britannias, Sovereigns) are a key UK advantage.
BullionVault
Best vault storageProfessional vault storage at just 0.12%/year across 5 locations
- Ultra-low 0.12% annual storage
- 5 global vault locations
- 24/7 online trading
- Daily independent audits
Storage
0.12%/year
5 global vaults
at bullionvault.com
Why #2?
BullionVault bridges the gap between physical ownership and securities — you own real allocated gold bars in professional vaults, but trade online. The 0.12% storage fee is unmatched among allocated vault providers.
The Royal Mint
Best for trustGovernment-backed dealer with vault storage and DigiGold
- Official UK government mint
- DigiGold from £25
- The Vault™ storage option
- CGT-free Britannias
Dealer + Storage
Free
£25
at royalmint.com
Why #3?
The Royal Mint uniquely offers physical sales, fractional DigiGold, AND vault storage. If trust and authenticity are your top priorities, no one can compete with the official UK government mint.
The Royal Mint Vault
Most secure vaultGovernment-backed vault security for your gold
- Government facility security
- DigiGold fractional access
- Physical delivery option
- Full insurance
Storage
1%/year + VAT
Wales, UK
at royalmint.com
Why #4?
For investors who want vault storage with the ultimate security guarantee, the Royal Mint Vault is stored in a government facility. Higher fees than BullionVault but unmatched institutional trust.
Atkinsons Bullion
Best for valueHighest-rated dealer with excellent pre-owned gold
- Pre-owned gold at lower premiums
- Highest Trustpilot rating (4.9)
- 30+ years family-run
- Competitive buy-back prices
Coins & Bars
Free over £500
£100
at atkinsonsbullion.com
Why #5?
Atkinsons has the highest customer rating in the entire UK market (4.9 stars). Their pre-owned gold offers 5–10% savings, making them the value pick for physical gold buyers.
Brinks
Best securityWorld-class vault security used by central banks
- LBMA-approved London vaults
- World-leading security infrastructure
- Used by central banks
- Full Lloyd's insurance
Storage
London
Via partner
at brinks.com
Why #6?
Brinks provides the highest level of physical security available — the same vaults used by central banks and LBMA members. Access through BullionVault and other dealer partnerships.
GoldCore
Best allocatedFully allocated gold in multiple global jurisdictions
- Fully allocated and segregated
- London, Zurich, Singapore vaults
- Independent audits
- Delivery option
Storage
London, Zurich, Singapore
0.50%/year
at goldcore.com
Why #7?
GoldCore specialises in allocated gold where specific bars are assigned to you. Multiple jurisdiction options add diversification that no ETF can match. Best for those wanting allocated physical gold in professional vaults.
Also available: UK-listed ETCs
These products are exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are controlled investments, so we list them as a factual reference only — without scores, recommendations, or affiliate links. Each row links to the provider's own factsheet.
| Product | Ticker | TER | Structure | Vault | Listing | Factsheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Physical Gold ETC Physically-backed by allocated gold bars held in London vaults. | IGLN | 0.12% | Physically-backed ETC | London | LSE | Factsheet |
| Invesco Physical Gold ETC Physically-backed by LBMA Good Delivery bars held in JP Morgan's London vaults. | SGLD | 0.12% | Physically-backed ETC | London (JP Morgan) | LSE | Factsheet |
| WisdomTree Core Physical Gold Physically-backed by responsibly-sourced gold held in HSBC's London vaults. | WGLD | 0.12% | Physically-backed ETC | London (HSBC) | LSE | Factsheet |
Factual product reference. Order does not imply a ranking or recommendation. All products listed are physically-backed exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) listed on the London Stock Exchange. Capital is at risk; consult each provider's factsheet and KIID before investing. This information is not personal advice or a financial promotion under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Quick answer
UK investors typically reach gold through three routes: physical coins and bars from a UK dealer, allocated storage through a professional vault provider, or shares in a UK-listed gold ETC. Our dealer and vault rankings reflect direct testing and customer experience; the ETC section is a factual product reference — controlled investments are not ranked or recommended.
How we test & rank
Physical dealers and vault providers are scored on pricing, delivery, security, service and transparency, based on real test orders and customer reviews. UK-listed ETCs are recorded factually with their TER, ticker, fund structure and vault arrangement — no score is applied and no order implies a ranking.
Summary
Physical dealers, vault storage and ETCs serve different needs. CGT-free Britannias and Sovereigns from a UK dealer suit long-term holders who want to take delivery; vault storage from BullionVault or the Royal Mint Vault suits larger allocations; ETCs suit investors who want price exposure inside an ISA or SIPP. The ETC section below is a factual reference only — it is not advice or a financial promotion.
Frequently asked questions
How do UK investors typically buy gold?
Three common routes: physical coins and bars from a UK dealer (with CGT-free options like Britannias and Sovereigns), allocated storage with a professional vault provider, or shares in a UK-listed gold ETC held inside an ISA or SIPP. Each route has different costs, tax treatment and counterparty profile.
Which UK gold options are tax-free?
Investment gold (coins and bars meeting HMRC criteria) is VAT-free. Gold Britannias and Sovereigns are also CGT-free because they are UK legal tender. Vault-stored gold and gold ETCs are NOT CGT-free, but ETC gains inside a Stocks & Shares ISA or SIPP are sheltered from CGT and dividend tax.
Is this page a recommendation to buy any ETC?
No. The ETC section is a factual product reference. It does not rank, score or recommend any UK-listed ETC, and it is not a financial promotion under section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. If you want a personal recommendation, speak to a regulated financial adviser.
Quick comparison
| # | Option | Score | Rating | Delivery | Min order | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BullionByPost Best dealer | 9.8 | 4.8 | Free next day | £40 | Coins & Bars | Visit |
| 2 | BullionVault Best vault storage | 9.5 | 4.6 | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 3 | The Royal Mint Best for trust | 9.4 | 4.7 | Free | £25 | Dealer + Storage | Visit |
| 4 | The Royal Mint Vault Most secure vault | 9.2 | 4.7 | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 5 | Atkinsons Bullion Best for value | 9.1 | 4.9 | Free over £500 | £100 | Coins & Bars | Visit |
| 6 | Brinks Best security | 8.9 | 4.5 | — | — | Storage | Visit |
| 7 | GoldCore Best allocated | 8.8 | 4.4 | — | — | Storage | Visit |
Scores out of 10 based on our testing. Ratings reflect verified customer reviews.