Dorchester Curiosity Centre opened its doors in October 2011 welcoming customers into the 12,000sq ft warehouse filled to the brim with antiques, collectables, vintage and retro fashions, shabby chic furniture, kitchenalia, textiles, jewellery, records and much more.
The centre is located in the Old Bus Depot on the Grove Trading Estate in the heart of Dorchester and houses nearly 100 individual traders. Since the opening, we have had an excellent response from customers and traders alike making us the must visit destination for vintage and antique enthusiasts in the South West.
With several appearances on BBC’s Antiques Road Trip and visitors from National Trust properties looking to stage period themed rooms we are becoming known nationally for the variety of our stock, the quality of our service and ability to source specific items.
Our warm and cosy café provides delicious breakfasts, lunches, cakes and hot drinks during our core opening hours. The hot food they serve is freshly made on site and you will be sure of a friendly welcome every time. The café has become a social hub for many groups and local businesses.
We strive to be the best in our field and our staff know how highly we value customer service, efficiency and quality of goods. Our in-house delivery service enables us to maintain these high standards from the start to the very end of each sale, ensuring that larger items reach their destinations in the same condition as when they were purchased and that the last contact our customers have at the end of each transaction is with us.
We also purchase furniture and other items that may be surplus to your requirements and are happy to view and collect these items from your home at a time that is convenient to you. We work closely with a local clearance company if this is a service you require. We have a strong belief in recycling whatever we can and we do our best to keep the environmental impact of what we do to a minimum. We feel that this is achieved by recycling and upcycling pre-loved items to give them new life. We do not use new packaging and wrapping materials.
Dorchester Curiosity Centre is located on Grove Trading Estate in Dorchester.
Housed in a 12,000sq ft warehouse it is worth bringing your coat as it can be chilly at times during the colder months. Despite this you are guaranteed a warm welcome whatever the weather.
We are dog friendly and welcome well behaved canines and their owners, provided they are kept on a lead at all times.
The centre is so vast and packed with hidden treasures that you might want to stop in our cafe where you will be served delicious home-cooked hot and cold food and cakes.
Free WiFi is available to our customers and there is ample car parking.
