Walking into Dot.Teas Vintage Tea Boutique is like stepping back in time.

From the vintage linen and the bunting to the pretty glass sugar bowls and mismatched bone china crockery, the little tea room in Westbourne is a nostalgic treat.

Even the food is from a bygone era – one of the menu favourites is ‘dippy eggs and soldiers’.

The teashop also offers light lunches and specialises in old time favourites like cream teas, teacakes and crumpets and homemade savoury tarts.

Loose leaf tea is served in cups and saucers, coffee is ground and milkshakes are freshly made.

Summer coke floats have also just arrived on the menu in time for summer.

The tea room has been open almost a year and owner Claudine Harley is rushed off her feet. She is thrilled with the success of her venture, which grew from an idea into a reality when she gave up her corporate job in sales and found the perfect location for her business.

“We specifically wanted to open in Westbourne because it has such a wonderful village feel and community,” explains Claudine.

“It also has a very good traders’ association.”

“I had the concept of a vintage tea shop in my head. I could see an opportunity to offer really good quality teas and coffee. The bread we use is baked in Sherborne using locally grown grain.

“Everything ties in – even the music I play.

“The shop has to look a certain way and everything is carefully chosen, including the linens hanging up, the window boxes outside and the striped awning, it’s all in keeping.”

Putting the look together is an on-going process for Claudine and her mother who hand-paints the re-loved furniture and also sources the china and the linens.

Customers are able to buy almost anything in the tea rooms that takes their fancy – sometimes even the chair they are sitting on.

“I also sell original cards, nick-nacks and of course our loose leaf teas and homemade jams and chutneys which we use in the shop.

“I have even emptied a pretty glass sugar bowl that a lady wanted to buy! That's the whole philosophy behind it really.”

Claudine will also host hen parties, baby showers, and birthday parties and visits local vintage fairs and fetes with a pop-up shop, to promote her business.

Again, everything is in keeping with the vintage theme, and a friendly welcome is what Claudine believes to be the secret of her success.

“I don’t think there is anywhere as unique as Dot.Teas and I believe it is the attention to detail that has made it so successful.”