Wheelwrights is a small traditional tearoom and gift shop
in historic and picturesque Abbotsbury, midway between Weymouth and Bridport.

For centuries it was a workshop for a family of wheelwrights, coopers (and undertakers!), until in 1981 Greg and Lesley Shepherd turned it into a glass engraving and enamelling studio with a national reputation ~ both crafts are symbolised by our glass doors, engraved with an image of Sam Mundy, the last Abbotsbury Wheelwright, placed there by Greg Shepherd in 1986.

In 1989 it became a baker’s shop and café, and we came here in 1996. Since then we have made our reputation on the strength of good quality tea and coffee, home baking, and a relaxing atmosphere.

Where to find us

Follow the B3157 from Weymouth or Bridport; or take the Martinstown turning off the "Monkey Jump" roundabout on the A35 Dorchester bypass and follow the road over the ridgeway by Hardy's Monument. Whichever way you come, the open views of sea and hills are worth the detour.

Weymouth, Bridport and Dorchester are all within 10 miles, while Bournemouth, Poole, Sherborne and Yeovil are about an hour’s drive away. Abbotsbury village, with the famous Swannery and the Sub-Tropical Gardens nearby, is home to several high-quality craft galleries, studios and gift shops. The village is now at the centre of the "Jurassic Coast" World Heritage site.

Wheelwrights is almost opposite the village car park. Parking is free during winter months, and is currently (spring 2008) charged at £1.50 per whole day during the tourist season. The X53 bus route between Exeter and Bournemouth passes our front door.

We've always had a special interest in stitchery ~ in 2000, Sue was asked to co-ordinate a project to celebrate the Millennium with banners hung in St Catherine's Chapel during the Dorset Art Weeks in May and June. No sooner were the banners hung than a new project began, to turn the designs into kneelers for the village church. In 2002, the same enthusiasts made a quilt to raise funds for the village hall, and in May 2003, we hosted an exhibition on our impressions of the Jurassic Coast. Finally, in 2006, those same ladies ~ and gentlemen ! ~ made an exotic and colourful stitched cover for the grand piano in Abbotsbury's parish church. You can read all about the banners, kneelers, quilt and piano cover here on our site.

Find out more about our tearooms

Or our gift shop

Read about Abbotsbury's colourful past and it's changing present ~ or how to get into crafts

Read all about the village's Millennium Banners ...

... the Millennium Kneelers in the parish church ...

... the 2002 Strangways Hall quilt project

... and the 2006 grand piano cover for the church

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For more information, e-mail us ! Click on the wheel.

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Click on the picture for more information on Abbotsbury