A rural setting gives Record Vault much of its character: this is a destination record shop at Redlands Yard in Broadwindsor, near Beaminster, set among Dorset countryside rather than a busy high street. The shop presents itself as one of the UK’s most rural record shops, with free onsite parking and a wider creative-yard setting that makes it feel like a deliberate trip rather than a passing browse.
Background / History
Record Vault is run by Ian and Emma, who live locally in Drimpton. The business began as an online store before moving into a physical shop at Redlands Yard, opening there in November 2024 after around ten years of trading online. Ian’s love of records goes back to working in a Hampshire record shop as a teenager, while the move into a bricks-and-mortar space gave the pair a way to build a proper meeting place for music lovers as well as a retail store.
What You’ll Find
The racks cover thousands of LPs, 12-inch singles and 7-inch singles, with both pre-loved and new vinyl represented. The selection ranges widely across eras and genres, from rock, punk, prog, pop, soul, funk, blues, reggae and ska through to jazz, classical and metal. Collectors will find plenty to investigate too, with rare, collectable, sought-after titles, first pressings and special editions forming part of the appeal.
Beyond vinyl, Record Vault stocks CDs, cassettes, books, posters, accessories, merchandise, turntables, speakers and cleaning products. The shop also offers useful services including record cleaning, dinking for jukebox use, want-list finding, personalised vinyl gifts, gift boxes and worldwide shipping.
Experience / Atmosphere
Record Vault feels built around conversation as much as collecting. It is the kind of shop where browsing can lead to a chat about first gigs, favourite albums, forgotten B-sides or the one record that has always proved elusive. The owners’ enthusiasm comes through in the breadth of the stock and the practical services around it, from helping people sell collections to tracking down want-list items.
Its Record Club adds to that community role, offering informal music-focused evenings where visitors can discuss an album or artist of the month, listen in, share thoughts and continue the conversation with other music lovers.
Why Visit
- One of Dorset’s most distinctive rural record-shopping destinations.
- Strong mix of new vinyl, pre-loved stock and collectable editions.
- Broad genre coverage, from classics to niche and hard-to-find titles.
- Useful extras including cleaning, dinking, want-list help and personalised gifts.
- Friendly, knowledgeable owners with a genuine community-minded approach.
- Onsite parking at Redlands Yard, making it easy to plan a proper visit.
Summary
Record Vault is well worth seeking out for anyone who enjoys the slower, more rewarding side of record shopping. With wide-ranging stock, practical vinyl services, a strong collector appeal and a welcoming rural setting, it offers far more than a quick flick through the racks. It is a Dorset shop with personality, knowledge and a clear love of recorded music at its centre.
