Musgrove Willows- Dedicated to willow

23 July 2026

Four generations of growing willow with care

At Musgrove Willows, willow has been at the heart of our family’s life for more than a century. For four generations, we’ve grown, harvested and worked with willow on the Somerset Levels, combining traditional knowledge with modern, sustainable farming to produce some of the finest basketry willow available.

Today we grow around 200 acres of willow, with more than 60 different varieties selected for their individual characteristics. Every variety behaves differently, and understanding those differences is part of what makes good willow growing. The choice of variety, the way it is cultivated and the way it is prepared all influence how it performs in the hands of the basket maker.

A family business built on craftsmanship

Willow growing has always been about more than producing rods. It is about understanding the land, respecting the seasons and taking pride in every stage of the process.

Much of the willow we grow is prepared by hand on the farm, with great care taken to ensure it reaches our customers in the best possible condition. Whether it is destined for traditional basketry, sculpture, hurdle making or other heritage crafts, the same attention to detail applies throughout.

That commitment extends beyond our willow. We make a range of handcrafted products, from traditional willow coffins to baskets, each produced with the same emphasis on quality, longevity and craftsmanship.

Alongside these, we work with a small number of highly skilled local craftspeople to produce specialist tools and accessories developed specifically for Musgrove Willows and the needs of working basket makers. From hand forged rapping irons to steaming sheets, basket waxes & butters, and other workshop essentials, every product is made with the same care and attention to detail that underpins the rest of our business. By working closely with expert makers, we are able to offer tools and products that have been designed through practical experience and developed specifically for willow workers.

Looking after the land

The Somerset Levels are a unique landscape and caring for them is central to everything we do.

Our willow beds provide valuable habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife, while several areas of the farm are managed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. We work closely with the natural environment, recognising that healthy wildlife and healthy willow go hand in hand.

Sustainability is not an afterthought. It is woven into the way we run the business every day. Rainwater and greywater are collected and reused wherever possible, helping to reduce demand on mains water supplies. Solar panels contribute renewable electricity, while careful management of our crops helps maintain the long term health of the land for future generations.

Nothing is wasted if it can be put to good use. Even the hay grown on the farm finds a purpose, providing the natural filling used in the pillows within our handcrafted willow coffins.

Supporting traditional crafts

As growers, we believe producing excellent willow is only part of the story. Traditional skills survive because they are shared.

Through our workshops and courses, we welcome everyone from complete beginners to experienced basket makers, helping people develop practical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the material they are working with. We also work closely with professional makers, colleges and organisations that continue to promote and preserve traditional rural crafts.

Sharing knowledge has always been part of our business. Whether through our courses, Help & Advice articles or conversations with customers, we are passionate about helping people get the very best from willow.

Willow for the future

After more than 100 years, we continue to learn. Every growing season is different, and every harvest teaches us something new.

Our aim remains the same as it has always been: to grow exceptional willow, care for the landscape that produces it and support the crafts and makers who keep this remarkable natural material alive.

Whether you’re buying your first bundle of willow or have been weaving for decades, we hope the knowledge, care and experience behind everything we produce helps you enjoy working with willow as much as we do.