Cornish Bed Company

The Cornish Bed Company is the last working metal bed foundry still crafting authentic Victorian bed frames using the same traditional methods employed more than 150 years ago. At its foundry near Fowey, skilled craftsmen create brass, nickel and cast-iron beds by hand-pouring liquid zinc, heated to more than 500°C, into moulds.

This time-honoured technique has become increasingly rare in an era of mass production, where lightweight metal frames are often assembled with screws and bolts. In contrast, The Cornish Bed Company continues to produce durable, handcrafted beds designed to last for generations.

Demand for these traditional beds has grown in recent years as consumers place greater importance on sleep health and wellbeing. More people are investing in their sleep environments and recognising quality rest as a key part of a healthy lifestyle.

The foundry, located in the fishing village of Par, operates from historic former steam engine sheds built for the Cornwall Mineral Railway. The Grade II* listed building still features one of the country’s earliest railway turntables.

A defining feature of every Cornish Bed is its hand-cast Victorian knuckle joint, which securely connects the frame without screws or bolts – creating beds built to last a lifetime and become the antiques of the future.