Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Handmade Bespoke Oak Furniture in Thirsk
Established in 1960, Beaver Furniture has spent 68 years perfecting the craft of creating handmade hardwood furniture. Our family-run business specialises in bespoke joinery and design, offering both traditional and contemporary pieces for residential and commercial spaces. We work predominantly with sustainably sourced English oak, employing time-honoured techniques like adzing and ammonia fuming to enhance natural grain patterns. Our team of skilled craftsmen, including third-generation artisan David Glegg, continues the legacy of founder Colin Almack, whose carved beaver trademark remains on every piece we produce. Recognised for our work on prestigious projects like Southwark Cathedral's New Chapter House, we combine royal-endorsed craftsmanship with modern innovation.All timber is air-dried for up to five years at our Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe workshop, ensuring exceptional durability and quality. We offer custom solutions for kitchens, studies, boardrooms, and more, with delivery available across the UK and internationally. Our showroom displays dining tables, occasional furniture, and bedroom collections, while our expert team welcomes commissions for unique, made-to-order pieces. Sustainability remains central to our practice, with materials sourced exclusively from managed woodlands and accredited suppliers. Visitors are encouraged to explore our showroom or discuss custom projects with our knowledgeable team.
Services
Dining Tables
Bedroom Furniture
Bespoke Joinery
Commercial Furniture
Furniture Restoration
Timber Sourcing
Showroom Consultations
International Delivery
Details
- Year established: 1960
Highlights and features
- 68 years of specialist hardwood furniture craftsmanship
- Bespoke design service with royal project experience
- Sustainably sourced English oak from managed woodlands
- Traditional techniques with modern design innovation
- Third-generation artisan leadership and apprenticeship legacy
What people say
Unparalleled quality
Bespoke expertise
Sustainable materials
Timeless designs
Royal heritage
Services
Bespoke Furniture
We create made-to-order hardwood furniture tailored to client specifications. Our craftsmen work with traditional oak and contemporary materials to produce unique pieces for residential and commercial spaces. Each commission benefits from 68 years of technical expertise and sustainable sourcing practices.
Dining Tables
Handcrafted dining tables available in traditional and modern designs. Constructed from sustainably sourced English oak with optional finishes including natural, medium, and dark oak tones through ammonia fuming processes developed over our 68-year history.
Commercial Furniture
Specialist furniture solutions for boardrooms, restaurants, and office spaces. Our experience includes royal projects and cathedral renovations, ensuring commercial clients receive durable, high-quality installations crafted to exacting standards using time-tested techniques.
Furniture Restoration
Restoration of existing hardwood furniture using matching materials and traditional methods. Our craftsmen maintain original design integrity while extending the lifespan of cherished pieces through careful repair and refinishing processes.
Timber Sourcing
Sustainable oak supply from managed woodlands and accredited merchants. We source both felled trees and planked timber, ensuring all materials meet our environmental commitments while maintaining the quality required for our 68-year-old craft tradition.
People
Colin Almack
Founder
Established Beaver Furniture in 1960, developing the iconic carved beaver trademark. Recognised for exceptional craftsmanship through royal presentations and cathedral projects, he mentored apprentices for over three decades before passing the legacy to David Glegg.
David Glegg
Master Craftsman
Third-generation artisan with 30 years' experience continuing Colin Almack's traditions. Specialises in bespoke commissions and cathedral restoration work, maintaining the technical excellence that earned royal recognition while training new generations of furniture makers.
Garry Pawlett
Senior Designer
Key contact for bespoke projects with 30 years' experience translating client visions into handcrafted reality. Expert in combining traditional joinery with modern design requirements, ensuring each piece meets both aesthetic and functional specifications.
Geoff
Sales Consultant
Handles client inquiries and showroom consultations, providing expert guidance on material selection and design options. With extensive product knowledge, he helps customers navigate both standard collections and custom commission possibilities.
Questions
What types of furniture do you specialise in?
We specialise in handmade oak furniture including dining tables, bedroom suites, and bespoke commissions. Our expertise extends to commercial projects and restoration work using traditional joinery techniques.
Can you create custom furniture designs?
Yes, our bespoke service transforms client ideas into unique pieces. With 68 years of experience, we offer made-to-order solutions for residential and commercial spaces, working closely with clients throughout the design process.
What materials do you use?
We primarily use sustainably sourced English oak (Quercus robur), with options for other hardwoods. All timber comes from managed woodlands or accredited suppliers, air-dried for up to five years at our workshop.
Do you deliver outside Yorkshire?
Yes, we deliver across the UK and internationally. Our furniture has been installed in locations ranging from London boardrooms to overseas residences, with careful packaging and logistics coordination.
How can I visit your showroom?
Our Thirsk showroom is open Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm, Friday 8:30am-3pm. Weekend visits require appointment. We recommend contacting Garry or Geoff to discuss specific requirements before visiting.
What is your sustainability policy?
Sustainability drives our material sourcing. We use FSC-certified oak from managed woodlands, local sawmills, and accredited merchants, ensuring responsible forestry practices while maintaining the quality our customers expect.
