Why does Woodland Heritage own a sawmill?

Woodland Heritage exists to promote a sustainable timber supply chain within the UK. Our membership brings together woodland managers with wood users, and the vital link, wood processors. 

Having strong links with Whitney Sawmills through the early 2000s led to the charity investing in the purchase of the business in 2016. Since then, the Sawmill has gone from strength to strength.

Today, Whitney Sawmills supplies a range of different timbers specialising in Oak, although Douglas Fir has become increasingly popular in recent years. Other hardwoods supplied include Ash, Elm, Sycamore, Sweet Chestnut, Cherry and Poplar, with Walnut, Alder, Lime and Maple occasionally available as well.

 

Responsible Timber

Whitney Sawmills supplies timber from responsibly managed woodlands that benefit people and wildlife.

 

Rural Employment

Whitney Sawmills helps keep rural employment and skills alive.

 
 

Updates

Featured
Whitney Sawmills - Background
Whitney Sawmills - Background

A sawmill is at the centre of the timber supply chain although it has become increasingly rare as a type of business with a huge reduction in the number of hardwood sawmills in the UK in recent years. Woodland Heritage believes that, with the right approach, a healthy future exists for those that remain; something that it wanted to demonstrate by taking over Whitney Sawmills.

Witness Whitney Sawmills
Witness Whitney Sawmills

A behind the scenes look at Whitney Sawmills, based in Herefordshire. This hardwood mill is a key part of our domestic timber supply. Read on for tea cakes and timber framing, to matches and Mebor saws.

Member's Blog: Making a Stand By Wilf Meynell
Member's Blog: Making a Stand By Wilf Meynell

This member’s blog from Wilf Meynell of Studio Bark gives thoughtful insight into the creation of ‘Making a Stand’, a new public artwork in City Square, Leeds which uses Douglas Fir from Whitney Sawmills. To find out more about ‘Making a Stand’, head to the LEEDS 2023 website.

 

Education at Whitney Sawmill

Whitney Sawmills is a fantastic place to learn and see the timber supply chain in action!

Part of every Woodland to Workshop course that we run takes place at the sawmill and there is a huge benefit to accessing this practical demonstration of skill and knowledge.

It is also possible to arrange educational visits for students.

“The course provided a highly-informed overview of the supply, demand and utilisation of hardwood timber in the UK. As a budding young forester, I will undoubtedly draw on this knowledge as my career progresses.”
— James Cryer. Woodland to Workshop, September 2021
“Woodland to Workshop course was exactly what I was looking for: a group of seasoned experts collaborating on issues ranging from sustainable woodland management to timber processing and production.”
— George Foster. Woodland to Workshop, 2018
 

Vising the Sawmill

Visits to Whitney Sawmills may be arranged for members of Woodland Heritage. If you are interested in visiting the sawmill, please contact us.

Please note

Whitney Sawmills is a working site and so visits may not always be possible on the day you request. We will endeavour to find a date that is convenient for you. As a working site, our first responsibility is to the sawyers and other staff working at the sawmill, at busy times it will not be possible to have visits to the site. Many areas of the site are open to the elements, which means that appropriate shoes and clothing should be worn when visiting the site and that some areas will not be accessible to all visitors. If you are arranging a visit to the sawmill, please let us know of any access requirements that you have, we will do our best to accommodate you. All visiting instructions will be sent prior to a pre-arranged visit.