English Willow Coffins, based in Stoke St Gregory in Somerset, is the home of P. H. Coate & Son. Founded by willow grower and merchant Robert Coate in 1819, P H Coate & Son is still run by the Coate family today.

Enjoying it's unique position on the Somerset Levels, P H Coate has been growing and weaving willow for nearly 200 years. Our high quality willow is grown on 70 acres of "withy" beds in the heart of the Somerset Levels and comes to you direct from our craftsmen.

The Somerset Levels is the most important wetland area in the U.K. This unique landscape provides the perfect conditions for willow growing. Basket making willow, known as "Withies", have been grown here for two centuries, and it is now the only area left where it is still cultivated for the production of willow coffins, willow baskets, willow furniture, and high quality artists' charcoal. Here indeed is the heart of the English willow industry, an industry that in many ways has not changed for centuries.

Believed to be one of the earliest willow coffins. Made in 1917 for Mr House of Somerton, by Mr Frank Champion of Stoke St Gregory > < Jonathan Coate (Left) with the ever present Tolley.