Round The Block: A Journey from the Lake District to Handcrafted Butchers Blocks

As a child I was fortunate to grow up in the breathtaking English Lake District, where I enjoyed a roaming childhood exploring the fells and forests. My first experience with woodwork was helping my father build two magnificent treehouses in our garden. We lived on the banks of Lake Windermere, where my mother ran a children's home, fostering dozens of kids. With them, I explored the wilds, sailed dinghies across lakes and learned the true value of nature, family and community.

I also helped my father Paddy convert an old wooden lifeboat into a four-berth cabin cruiser, a project that strengthened my love for working with wood and being near the water. These experiences followed our family from the Lake District to the Isle of Wight and eventually Majorca, but the connection to nature, water and trees has always been a constant in my life.

During a family holiday in 2020, we stayed at a stunning farmhouse with a converted barn. Relaxing one evening over drinks, we admired the rustic charm of the living space. In the centre was a replica butchers block island made from old worktops. My son turned to me and asked, ‘could you make me one like this?’ I laughed and said, ‘No, but I can make you a traditional one!’ And with that, ‘Round The Block’ was born.

I had spent years designing and installing kitchens and I noticed the kitchen had become the true heart of the home. A place where families gather, entertain and make memories. The rise of kitchen islands reflected this shift. More and more people were transforming their kitchens into central hubs for living and socialising. I realised that a traditional end grain oak butchers block island could serve as a beautiful, functional focal point.

My wife Tamzin and I combined our decades of experience in kitchen design, installation, catering and entertaining to create handcrafted butchers blocks that bring warmth, practicality and timeless style to any kitchen.

We believe that a kitchen is more than just a place to cook. It's where life happens. Our traditional butchers block islands honour that evolution, offering something that’s both enduring and unique, just like the people they are designed for.