Fivepenny Chairs

Fivepenny Chairs I make chairs on my family's Dorset smallholding, combining traditional styles and techniques with inspirations from life, to last for generations.

David Saltmarsh is an artisanal green woodworker. Working from his smallholding in rural West Dorset,he makes unique chairs which are rooted in the Windsor tradition. His work has an earthy link to vernacular crafts, yet has a contemporary feel. David's methods take account of the whole creation cycle. After selecting and felling local timbers , the chair parts are made using a range of tools (al

most exclusively traditional hand tools) to shape them. Often the design of the piece will evolve as it is constructed - incorporating the natural tendencies of the wood. David exhibits at wood shows, has won awards from the Association of Pole Lathe Turners, been featured on the show Mastercrafts, Escape to the Country and magazines including Country Living and the book Deepest Dorset. The chairs can be viewed at David's smallholding along with his workshop. Sheepskins, apple juice, cider, jams and other local crafts are also for sale.

The fifth chair of the year. And possibly the last one for a while. Goin building next week. The winter months have been...
27/02/2026

The fifth chair of the year. And possibly the last one for a while. Goin building next week. The winter months have been kind. Will miss my workshop.

Chairs are rather like people. They come in many shapes and sizes. But all basically the same. It is forever fascinati...
24/02/2026

Chairs are rather like people. They come in many shapes and sizes. But all basically the same. It is forever fascinating to me to be able to tweak little details and let the chair evolve as it is made. Each one is a continuation of the last. Lessons learned and angles memorised. I seldom work from drawings.

19/02/2026
I have been running a few courses from my workshop near Lyme Regis. So far so good. I have over 25 years experience in ...
15/02/2026

I have been running a few courses from my workshop near Lyme Regis. So far so good. I have over 25 years experience in windsor chair making. I have enjoyed sharing what I have learned. I’m planning on running one a month, in the last week of the month. On the course you will learn the basics of green woodworking,steam bending,seasoning and construction.
Numbers are limited to 4 persons per course.
£500 for the week
All materials are included but lunch is not.
Please message me via this platform if you are interested
Lots of love

01/02/2026
September chairs number 3. Ash and Walnut
29/09/2025

September chairs number 3. Ash and Walnut

September chairs number 2. Green painted oak office chair
24/09/2025

September chairs number 2. Green painted oak office chair

05/07/2022

Join Elske Hageraats of Ommuurde Tuin CSA in the Netherlands to find out how they began earning a fair income from the wage solidarity model

24/04/2020

Up and down the country, food market stalls, street markets and farmers' markets have shut up shop in response to COVID-19.

David on Escape to the Country BBC iplayer episode 18
06/03/2018

David on Escape to the Country BBC iplayer episode 18

Address

Fivepenny Farm, Spence Lane
Dorset
DT66D

Website

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