Engine Room Shop

Selection of products from our Spring range — Gift ideas

Ever wondered why we are called the Engine Room Shop? It’s because we share our space with a special electric light engine. The engine dates back from around 1907 and it is thought to be the only one of its kind in the country remaining in its original location. Originally installed to supply electricity to Brownsea Castle, the engine sat derelict for decades but has now been beautifully restored to its original condition.

What’s new this Spring

Visit the shop and take a look at our range of outdoor gear perfect for island adventures, countryside strolls and everything in between. Our fruity jams, tasty curds, crunchy biscuits and delicious drinks are British made and completely moreish. The Riverlands collection celebrates the rivers in our care, and every purchase you make helps look after these precious habitats.The shop sometimes has tasting events and a small second hand bookshop.

A table decorated with ceramics, cushions and throws from our seasonal Riverlands collection — Brighten up your home this spring with our seasonal Riverlands homeware range.

We support local makers

We have a range of products which have been sourced within a 30 mile radius from the island. These locally-sourced Dorset goodies, include:

Piddle Brewery: Piddlehintonm, Dorset

'With a name like Piddle, you’d think we don’t take anything seriously but, we do – brewing', say the team at Piddle brewery. 'Our passion is blending hops, barley and malts to create ales that bring serious pleasure, from delicate thirst quenchers to thick, velvety stouts. A match made in heaven - or in this case Piddlehinton in deepest Dorset.'

Purbeck Candles: Purbeck, Dorset

Purbeck Candles was started in 2011 with the desire to share their love for beautiful fragrances. Created by blending essential oils and melting soy wax, Purbeck candles are made in a cottage on top of a hill, overlooking Corfe Castle.

Elm house studio: Blandford Forum, Dorset

Elm House Studio carefully creates handmade pottery including the rock pool pots, from Dorset and other ceramic products. Pottery artist Catherine Broadway only works with local Dorset pottery clay, fired to earthenware temperature. The thrown pots are covered with white liquid clay (slip) and later, the design is engraved to reveal the red clay beneath (scraffito). The pottery is then finally coloured using under glaze pigments and a clear glaze applied at the very end.

Engine Gift Shop — Going Local on Brownsea

Field Honey: Purbeck, Dorset

Field Honey Farms came about in the late 1970s in the Thames valley. Robert Field relocated to the Isle of Purbeck in 1993 and has hives located at various farms and estates between Swanage and Salisbury Plain.

‘The Isle of Purbeck is perfect for keeping bees due to the long summer season of the south coast, as well as the culture of farming small fields in the lowland heath surrounding Poole Harbour.’ Robert Field Master Beekeeper.

madebyharry: Brownsea Island, Dorset

Harry is a local illustrator and printmaker, mainly working from observational and on location drawings to create layered images for use in print, publishing, products and illustrative design projects.

Her work stems from her love of being outdoors and the beauty of the natural world. With a passion for the outside, choosing to spent time out amongst the elements as well as back in the studio, and using drawing and printmaking to document and describe people, the environment and narratives.

This collection available in the shop is inspired by the amazing birds, landscapes and seascapes found in and around Brownsea Island.