Our very popular magazine “The Antiques Tourist” is out early this year. Copies were available to pick up at Shepton Fleamarket on 2 March – over 400 copies went into the hands of eager buyers! The roll-out continues to every advertiser across Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire and Somerset. More copies available at over 150 locations run by our distribution contracts around the region. Happy antiquing!

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Dorset Road trip

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We start our antiques road-trip inland in Mere (just off A303) at Walton House Antiques - an elegant antiques shop in The Square. From here take the B3092 to Gillingham and Sandys Furniture Warehouse in Station Road. Continue to Shaftesbury, first turning north on A350 for a couple of miles to Semley, where you will find Kingsettle Antiques and Station Road Antiques. Retrace your steps to Shaftesbury.  In the town centre are Bell Street Antiques, Dairy House Vintage and Home, and Shaftesbury Antiques Centre, all close together, along with a choice of coffee-stops!

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Now the adventure begins as we continue our antiques road-trip south to Blandford! The choice is yours; take the A350 through Fontmell Magna and Iwerne Minster, or the B3081 via Melbury Abbass. They both meet on the roundabout at Blandford Heights. For the views I usually select Melbury Abbass. This starts as an ancient “holloway” with single file traffic through Dinah’s Hollow, then rises dramatically to spectacular views at Compton Abbass Airfield, before meandering through parts of Cranborne Chase onward to Blandford. Either route is circa 13 miles, and takes 25 minutes.

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Whichever route you choose, at Blandford Heights head along Shaftesbury Lane, and find The Old Grainstore Emporium on the right. Return to A350 and head south to Poole. Follow the A3049 through Parkstone to The Den at Francis Avenue. This is quite a large warehouse with an onsite café. Next you must navigate through Bournemouth to Pokesdown, a very traditional area for antiques. Heading east along Christchurch Road you will find in the following order -; Pokesdown Vintage House, Pokesdown Antiques Centre and Vintage Mirrors and Lighting. Continue eastwards to Christchurch, and The Christchurch Emporium. Here too is an onsite café.

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Then travel north to West Parley for Room 1553, situated in Basket & Blooms Garden Centre.

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It is now time to head west to Bere Regis, and Dorset Reclamation, situated on the A31/A35 roundabout junction. Then a short journey into Dorchester and the Dorchester Curiosity Centre at Grove Trading Estate. This is a large warehouse, with its own café.

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Next a trip to The Jurassic Coast at Weymouth. You will find Cornucopia situated in St Mary Street, Weymouth. This gives you a real opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of this Georgian seaside town.

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If you are now heading for Bridport, I really recommend the coastal route through Portesham, Abbotsbury and Burton Bradstock. You will not be disappointed with the stunning views of this part of The Jurassic Coast! It is worth considering the right days to visit Bridport. Wednesday and Saturday are Street Market days, and on the last Sunday from March to October is the Vintage Market at St Michaels. However, there is much more to Bridport! The Alleyways Centre, Pebble Vintage and Global Arts & Antiques are also on St Michaels, and are open up to 7 days a week! Global Arts also have a gallery in West Street, opposite Waitrose.

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A trip to Bridport would not be complete without visiting West Bay and The Customs House in an historic shore-side warehouse.

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Now another bit of  “cross country” for the next leg of our antiques road-trip! Take A35 east to Loders Cross, then turn left to Spyway and Eggardon - true Hardy Country! (You may choose to detour onto Eggardon Hillfort to take in the full Hardy experience). Next stop Wynford Eagle and then Maiden Newton.  From The Square take Station Road and Norden Lane up to A37. Turn left and Wardon Hill Trading Post is soon found on the righthand side. Complete with plant centre and café. This part of the “cross-country route” is 14.2 miles and will take just 30 minutes without stops.

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Our final town is Sherborne, a mere 12.7 miles and  23 minutes away. The route is quite simple. North on A37, right to Yetminster and on to Thornford. Entering Sherborne from the south, The Old Yarn Mills are immediately on your left, where you will find; Molecula; Reynolds Interiors; Holby & Co; and Mary Hassock Antiques. They all have varying trading hours, so please check their respective details carefully.

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Did we leave the best ‘til last? Sherborne Antiques Market is situated at the bottom of Cheap Street. A good, traditional centre with a mix of antiques and vintage, open 7 days a week; and all the usual town centre amenities nearby. 

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