About Us - A Handmade Bench Maker in Essex
We're a handmade bench maker based in Chelmsford, Essex, building picnic benches and garden furniture to order from solid timber. This is who we are, why we make benches the way we do, and what you can expect when you buy from us.
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Meet Chris Markham
Blackthorn Benches started with a simple idea: outdoor furniture should be built properly. Not flat-packed, not mass-produced, not designed to last two summers then fall apart.
Chris builds every Blackthorn Benches product by hand in our Essex workshop. No production line, no assembly workers, no corners cut. Every cut, every joint, every finish - one pair of hands, start to finish.
That's not a limitation. It's the point. When one person builds the whole thing, they own the quality. There's no “someone else will check it” - Chris checks it because Chris built it. Every piece passes the Benchmark Approved 4-point safety audit before it leaves.
The workshop is a proper industrial space at Highlands Farm, Rettendon Common, with proper tools. Not a shed, not a garage. That means consistent results, even in winter.
The principles behind every build
We believe a picnic bench should be made properly and last for years: solid timber, sound joints, and a finish that copes with the British weather. We build to order so each bench fits its owner, and we'd rather make fewer benches well than many badly. More on how we make them.
Proper timber, properly sourced
C24 construction-grade - the same material used to build houses. Not pallet wood, not fence panels, not whatever was cheap this week.
Safe for everyone
Water-based, non-toxic stains. Every surface routed and sanded splinter-free. Kids and dogs welcome.
Build-to-order only
We don't hold stock. Your bench is built after you order it, using timber bought specifically for your build. Zero waste, zero compromise.
No shortcuts
Countersunk fixings, not surface screws. Routed edges, not raw cuts. 120-grit finish, not a quick once-over. The details matter because the details last.
Transparent pricing
Our prices reflect material + labour, marked up fairly. No hidden fees, no "premium" surcharges. You see what you pay for.
Every build logged
The Master Build Log tracks every order - materials, build date, safety sign-off. Full audit trail. Your digital care sheet references it.
Local to Essex
We're proud to be a local Essex maker, supplying homes and businesses across the county - Chelmsford, Colchester, Southend, Braintree, Maldon and beyond. Every bench is built right here, not shipped in from overseas.
Find out more about buying a picnic bench in Essex or browse our full range of picnic benches.
About us FAQs
Yes - every bench is built by hand in our Chelmsford workshop from solid C24 construction-grade timber, not assembled from imported flat-pack kits.
We're based at Highlands Farm, Rettendon Common, near Chelmsford, Essex. We deliver across the county and beyond.
Chris Markham builds every Blackthorn Benches product by hand. One maker, start to finish - no production line, no assembly workers.
Ready to order your bench?
Tell us the size and finish you need and we'll build it to order in our Chelmsford workshop.