The Dorset Wagon Co. Ltd.
- Builders of the Finest Bespoke Showman's Wagons
- Caravan and Wagon Restoration & Refurbishment
- Wagon, Caravan and Campervan Resprays and Repairs
- Campervan Conversions
Our Services
A complete range of specialist services for shepherd's wagons, from restoration and repairs to trusted brokerage.
Creation
At Dorset Wagon Co, we specialise in designing and building bespoke wagons entirely from scratch. Each project is handcrafted in our Dorset workshop, combining traditional craftsmanship with high-quality materials to create a unique wagon tailored to your individual requirements.
Wagon Brokerage
Through our brokerage service, we help connect buyers with quality pre-owned shepherd's wagons across the UK. Every wagon is carefully represented, and we work closely with both buyers and sellers to ensure a smooth, transparent process. While we don't always have wagons available for sale, we're always happy to discuss current availability or help market your wagon to the right audience.
Restoration
Whether your wagon requires structural repairs, timber restoration, exterior resprays or general refurbishment, we restore each wagon with the care and craftsmanship it deserves. Our experienced team is dedicated to preserving the character and quality of every project.
Resprays & Repairs
From complete exterior resprays to bespoke alterations and custom upgrades, we help transform wagons while maintaining their traditional charm. Every finish is completed using high-quality materials for a durable, long-lasting result.
Favourite Features
Traditionally crafted hand-built wagons from our Wareham workshop in the heart of Dorset at the gateway to the Jurassic Coast of the Purbecks.
Quality Materials
We choose each and every piece of timber from local independent suppliers, picking only the best pieces from the larger planks which we then cut to size on our own sheet and band saws allowing us to make our own windows, doors and furniture to the highest standards.
We strive to use only sustainable timber and sheet materials. Hardwoods are, wherever possible, from windfall British trees through our local sawmill.
We keep stocks of vintage fixtures and fittings to allow our clients authentic finishing touches to the final build through our extensive supply chain - including marine salvage.
Craftsmanship
Our team of highly skilled cabinet makers and carpenters have decades of experience in all aspects of fine joinery.
We have also taken on an apprentice cabinet maker whose enthusiasm and natural ability is a welcome addition to the team. As we grow in the future we hope to train up more local talent and share the skills that our senior guys have learnt over a lifetime of experience. If we don't there is a real chance that these valuable skills will be lost forever.
Right from the very start we knew that design engineering was the key to getting it right. The classic lines, iconic Mollycroft windows and especially the curves that set a Showman's Wagon apart from all other living vans.
We were lucky to be able to take on a graduate from the local university who was every bit as passionate about building authentic wagons as we were. As every wagon is bespoke, no two will ever be identical, his skills are just as much in demand now as they were at the beginning.
It doesn't just have to look right - it must also be a practical and useful living van that can be towed on a road and across a field. We designed an elegant and strong structure that also has that little bit of flexibility that allows it to be every bit as useful as its predecessors.
Using state of the art software we can draw in 3D and test every component before manufacture on engineering models.
Vintage Tools
Nothing beats the quality of vintage hand tools for fine finishing, robust build quality, sheer pleasure of use and the comfort that many decades of use bestows upon a well-made plane or saw.
Traditional skills call for traditional hand tools.
