Pilgrims Antiques Centre Dorking: Tour of the Shop.

Pilgrims Antiques Centre.

I hope that people who have found and visited this blog during the last months of 2010 have enjoyed seeing what sort of shop we have.

I am Paula and I rent space in the shop. There are 16 of us at the moment. We each look after our own area or cabinet, but on the days we are on duty we sell for everybody.

For this first visit of 2011 I shall take you on guided tour of the shop.


If you wander a little way along West Street from the High Street you will find us on the left hand side.

We are not the only antiques shop or centre in West Street. It is worth coming for the pleasure of a browse or to seek out items you yourself might like or as a place to find a gift for a loved one.

In Pilgrims we pride ourselves on offering things at very reasonable prices and customers are very welcome to ask for a better price and we will see what can be done. Many items are under £10 and we don't normally reduce those prices.

This is the view of the shop as you approach from the east.

One of our number, Sue, creates lovely window displays and I always have trouble photographing them because the window makes reflections of the opposite side of the road.

Sadly the building opposite is now empty and awaiting redevelopment.


On walking through the door you will find Stephen's telephones and gadgets on your left. There is also a cabinet there with items being sold by Mick - Clarice Cliffe, Poole Pottery etc.

On the right is Jill's area - one of our glass specialists.

Next to Jill you can find Bill's shelves and cabinet - full of boy's toys.

There are 2 steps up into room 2.

On the left of the steps are cabinets with Judy's cutlery and Hilary's jewellery.

Julie has a small area at the top of the steps.

Jonathan has shelves and cabinets on the right. This is the first of his areas. Jonathan has all sorts, but specialises in Victorian and early 20th century china and glass.

Sue and Brian are also in room 2.

They have a lot of brass - old brass, which they have painstakingly restored and polished.

Sue also has jewellery cabinets.

And so up more steps into room 3.

Jean and Ann have shelves on the left and also a cabinet.

Jonathan's second area is on the right, with lots more china and glass. When he has interesting furniture it can be found in this area.

Jo has the first of her areas in room 3.

She has a great love and knowledge of linen and lace.

Monika is also in room 3. Her greatest love is the arts and crafts movement and art nouveau design.

Like most of us, though, she likes to use opportunities to buy things to have and hold items that appeal, whatever era they come from.

Now I take you up a few more steps to room 4.

This is the home of both antiques and 20th century collectables of all kinds.

Kitchenware is very popular.

Jo has her second area in room 4.

Terry has the space on the left hand side of the room, which she fills with the help of her daughter, Emma.

They sell a wide variety of interesting and lovely things and specialise in vintage clothing. They actually sell the vintage clothing in another shop and at fairs - but always ask about things that you might want to know about.

The very last area you come to is mine.

I have divided my small area into sections - the gentleman's study, the children's nursery, 1950's and 60's china and glass, pretty feminine things and the kitchen.

As you walk back through the rooms, you are sure to see things not spotted before.

Here we stand in room 4 and look towards the front of the shop.

And now we are looking from the top of the couple of steps up to room 3.

Gill's cabinets of glass are on the right.

Bill and Monika are on duty at the desk.

So, that was a quick tour of the shop.

In future weeks I will look at each area in turn, picking out things that are special or particularly appeal to me.