About Us

Welcome to English Heritage Buildings, a family-owned firm dedicated to bringing England’s architectural legacy to life through bespoke oak-framed buildings and structures. We’ve worked for decades to achieve the perfect blend of centuries-old craftsmanship and modern precision engineering, and we’re delighted to be able to share our journey with you.

See how far we’ve come, learn more about our processes, and take the first step towards achieving your own oak framed building here.

Our Oak Framed Buildings

A Long Legacy of Craftsmanship and Vision

The story of English Heritage Buildings began with a deep passion for preserving England’s architectural history. Our founder Mick Hook started collecting and restoring old oak-frame buildings in the English countryside in 1979, disassembling, cleaning, and re-erecting these centuries-old structures at his family home. His dedication to this craft inspired the creation of English Heritage Buildings in 1990, sparking a revival of oak framing in the UK.

In 2004 Mick’s son Darren took over the business, transitioning it from its roots as a passion project to a professional, forward-thinking company. Under Darren’s leadership, the business grew rapidly, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering methods. His vision was clear: to uphold the legacy of oak framing while pioneering new standards of precision and quality.

We Achieved Q-Mark Certification

Darren’s vision became a reality when English Heritage Buildings achieved the prestigious TRADA Q-Mark certification, setting us apart as the only oak-frame manufacturer in the UK to meet such rigorous industry standards. The Q-Mark symbolises not only our commitment to excellence but also our competitive advantage, offering customers unmatched peace of mind in every project.

You can learn more about Q-Mark certification and what it means by visiting our page.

From humble beginnings to a recognised leader in oak framing, English Heritage Buildings continues to blend passion with precision, setting the standard for craftsmanship and innovation even today.

Offering Unparalleled Quality, Precision, and Care Today

Our dedication to quality craftsmanship is reflected in every oak frame we create. As the only UK oak-frame manufacturer to achieve the prestigious TRADA Q-Mark certification, we continue to uphold the highest standards of precision, safety, and durability, giving you peace of mind that your building is constructed to last.

When you choose English Heritage Buildings, you benefit from:

Q-Mark Certification: Ensuring our buildings meet and exceed 22 rigorous industry standards, audited bi-annually for ongoing quality assurance.
10-Year Building Guarantee: Offering comprehensive protection when your frame is assembled by our approved contractors, demonstrating our commitment to long-term reliability.
Accurate Quoting System: Our custom-built quoting system provides clear, consistent pricing with no hidden costs. What you see is what you pay.
Expert Timber Grading: All our timber is carefully graded by trained and certified professionals, ensuring the highest quality materials for every project.
In-House Technical Support: From planning to design, we provide full technical guidance to bring your vision to life, ensuring seamless communication throughout your project.

With over 30 years of experience, we combine traditional English craftsmanship with modern precision engineering, delivering bespoke oak-framed buildings that stand the test of time.

Why We Chose Oak – And You Should Too

We chose oak as our material of choice for its unmatched combination of strength, beauty, and sustainability. For centuries, oak has been at the heart of Britain’s most iconic and enduring structures, from historic homes to grand public buildings. Its natural ability to age gracefully and resist the elements makes it the perfect choice for both traditional and modern construction.

When you build with oak, you’re not just investing in a structure—you’re creating something that will last for generations.

Durability: Oak is renowned for its resistance to moisture and the elements, ensuring your building remains structurally sound for decades to come.
Aesthetic Appeal: Over time, oak weathers to a beautiful silver-grey exterior, while its interior richens with a natural patina, giving your building a timeless charm.
Sustainability: All our oak is sourced from ethically managed woodlands, where two or more trees are planted for every one felled. This ensures that your building not only stands the test of time but also helps protect the environment.
Eco-Friendly: With its natural insulating properties, oak contributes to better thermal performance, helping reduce energy usage and carbon emissions.

By choosing oak, you’re embracing a material that offers the best of both worlds – the classic elegance of traditional craftsmanship, combined with modern sustainability practices. It’s a choice that benefits both your property and the planet.

Our attitudes to sustainability are not the only modern practice we employ, either.

How We Make Tradition Meet Precision Engineering

We are proud to blend the art of traditional craftsmanship with the precision of modern engineering, creating oak-framed buildings that stand as a testament to both history and innovation. Our team of skilled artisans uses time-honoured joinery techniques, as they have been honed over centuries, to craft each frame with the care and attention to detail that defines true English heritage.

To ensure every project is built to the highest standard, we’ve embraced cutting-edge technology, including the Hundegger K2i, a state-of-the-art machine that works from 3D models to deliver precision-cut timber. This allows us to maintain the same exacting standards that have been central to oak framing for generations, while also guaranteeing unparalleled accuracy and efficiency.

Every project we undertake is made-to-order, allowing us to customise each design to your exact specifications, while maintaining the integrity and durability of centuries-old techniques. Meanwhile, we never compromise on the quality of our work or the sustainability of our materials.

Our Firm Commitment to Sustainability

Sustainability is a commitment that guides every step of our process. We believe that creating beautiful, durable structures should go hand in hand with protecting the environment for future generations. That’s why we use only ethically sourced oak, harvested from sustainably managed forests where two or more trees are planted for every one felled.

Our approach to sustainability includes:

Ethical Sourcing: Every piece of timber we use is carefully selected from forests that are managed to promote regeneration and protect biodiversity, ensuring that your oak-framed building has a minimal environmental impact.
Renewable Materials: Oak is a natural, renewable resource, and its use in construction helps reduce carbon emissions. By choosing oak, you are opting for a sustainable building solution that supports long-term environmental health.
Long-Lasting Craftsmanship: Our buildings are designed to last for generations, reducing the need for frequent rebuilding or renovations, and minimizing waste over time.
Eco-Friendly Benefits: Oak’s natural insulating properties help improve energy efficiency, meaning your building can stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, contributing to lower energy consumption and a reduced carbon footprint. It also helps to lower bills.

Building a Finely Crafted Future with Our Customers

From homeowners seeking to enhance their living spaces to property developers and businesses looking to make a statement, our bespoke oak-framed buildings are crafted to meet the unique needs of every client.

Our diverse clientele trusts us to bring their visions to life with precision, care, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Whether it’s a stunning garden room, a spacious garage, or a grand commercial building, we approach each project with the same dedication to excellence, ensuring that the result not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Our personalised service ensures that every client is guided through each step of the process, from the initial design phase to the final assembly. By combining our expert craftsmanship with our clients’ aspirations, we help turn dreams into reality. See what we’ve achieved – and what we can do for you – by exploring some of the designs we’ve completed.

Case Studies

Start Your Own Oak-Framed Legacy Today

Whether you’re dreaming of a timeless extension, a stunning garden room, or a custom-designed oak-framed building, our team is here to guide you every step of the way. With over 30 years of experience, we have the expertise to deliver a project that meets all your needs and perfectly complements your property.

Explore our completed projects for inspiration, or get in touch with our team today to start planning your bespoke build. Whatever your dream may be, we’re here to help you create a legacy that will stand the test of time.

English Heritage Buildings has been providing oak-frame buildings since 1990