Meet the Maker - Woodpecker Joinery

Meet the Maker - Woodpecker Joinery

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    Highgrove Gardens is delighted to unveil its new shop at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, created by the skilled craftspeople at Woodpecker Joinery. 

    Inside, discover a curated collection of gifts, artisan products, artwork by His Majesty The King, and food and drink made using produce from the gardens at Highgrove. Visitors can also explore a beautiful range of handcrafted wildlife homes, also made by Woodpecker Joinery.

    The Highgrove Shop at RHS Cheslea Flower Show

    Woodpecker Joinery have held a Royal Warrant since 2018, first granted by His Majesty The King when he was The Prince of Wales

    The inside of the Highgrove Glasshouse Shop has a lot of natural light

    The Highgrove Glasshouse at Chelsea

    The Highgrove Glasshouse at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show forms part of Woodpecker Joinery’s Heritage Glasshouse Collection. This collection was created to celebrate Woodpecker Joinery’s 25th year in British manufacturing and is made from Western Red Cedar, which is tight-grained, and heartwood, which is supplied by members of the Timber Federation. It features gothic-style doors, handcrafted sculptured supporting frames, and cambered rafters. It also has a mechanised roof and side ventilation system, with Victorian-style ironwork throughout to maximise the glasshouse's structural strength.

    The History of Woodpecker Joinery

    Founded in 1994 by craftsman Christopher Waltho, Woodpecker Joinery grew from a passion for woodworking and greenhouse design. After gaining experience in joinery and engineering, Chris launched the business from his mother’s smallholding in Staffordshire with the help of a Government start-up grant.

    Originally producing windows, doors and conservatories, Chris eventually created his first bespoke cedar greenhouse in 1997. Recognising a growing demand for beautifully crafted British greenhouses, Chris began developing a dedicated range of Western Red Cedar designs for Woodpecker Joinery. As orders increased, family members and close friends joined the business, helping Woodpecker Joinery grow into the renowned company it is today.

    A Partnership with The King’s Foundation

    The King’s Foundation is a charity started by His Majesty King Charles III in 1990. As His Majesty’s nature and sustainability charity, the Foundation helps build and support communities where people, places, and the planet live in harmony.

    Woodpecker Joinery and The King’s Foundation share values of craftsmanship, sustainability, and preserving traditional skills, making their partnership a natural fit. Over the years, Woodpecker has installed custom glasshouses at three sites managed by The King’s Foundation: Highgrove Gardens, Dumfries House, and the Castle of Mey. A key part of this partnership is a shared commitment to supporting the next generation of craftspeople. The King’s Foundation is known worldwide for its education programmes in traditional heritage skills, offering hands-on courses in carpentry, joinery, stonemasonry, and related crafts.

    Woodpecker Joinery’s Apprentice Scheme reflects this same commitment. For over twenty years, the scheme has welcomed young joiners and craftsmen, matching them with experienced mentors to help them learn skills in custom timber construction, glazing, and metalwork. The partnership respects the past and invests equally in the future. Woodpecker also takes part in The King’s Foundation’s food to fork programme which encourages schoolchildren to learn about horticulture and farming.

    Shop the range of Wildlife Houses

    Create a haven for wildlife in your garden with our range of handcrafted wildlife homes by Woodpecker Joinery. From busy bees to hungry hedgehogs, each design is made to encourage essential wildlife to thrive.

    Discover the spectacular Highgrove House Bee Hotel, inspired by the timeless architecture of Highgrove House. This mini replica is beautifully crafted to bring both charm and biodiversity to your outdoor space and is constructed from Western Red Cedar, similar to that of the Highgrove Shop at RHS Chelsea.

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    Cedar Cold Frames direct to your Garden

    If you’ve visited Highgrove Gardens or RHS Chelsea, you may have spotted the beautiful cold frames used to display our garden range. Now available for your own garden, the Tall Cedar Cold Frame is crafted from high-quality Western Red Cedar and features practical sliding doors, ideal for smaller spaces. Also made from Western Red Cedar, the Cold Frame is perfect as a mini greenhouse, protecting plants and extending the growing season through spring and autumn.

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    The sale of highgrove products, garden tours and events support the charitable work of the kings foundation.