Hambledon Staircases

Staircase renovation and bespoke storage in the south of England

Hambledon Staircases is a family-run workshop based in Fiddleford, in the county of Dorset, which has been dedicated for over fifteen years to renovating and cladding staircases, as well as designing bespoke under-stairs storage solutions. The company regularly works in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire, and extends its activity to locations such as Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Wimborne, Dorchester, Sherborne, Bath, Winchester, Southampton, Alton and Portsmouth, as well as serving clients in London and the rest of the south of the country.

The business is run by Nick and Imogen, a husband-and-wife team who personally handle the entire process, from the initial consultation through to project completion. Nick, trained in a family of carpenters, has more than 22 years of experience in the trade. The workshop, located in the Dorset countryside, makes the components of its main range to order.

Types of staircases and materials

The company's offering is built around several combinations of materials and finishes:

• Oak and glass staircases: allow you to choose the timber, the glass size and the type of fixing (satin or chrome clips, or clip-free). The glass can be installed directly into the banister in large pieces or in narrow sections to form glass spindles.
• Oak staircases with metal spindles: incorporate iron or metal spindles, with a wide variety of options available.
• Painted and glass staircases: combine painted posts with painted or natural wood handrails, and glass, for a bright and airy result. The client selects the colour and finish of the paint.
• Oak spindle staircases: the option the company presents as the most luxurious, suitable for both traditional and contemporary styles.
• Painted spindle staircases: available in classic colours such as white, black or grey, with the possibility of painting the rest of the structure or combining it with oak.

In addition to oak, the workshop works with sapele, tulipwood (indicated for painted finishes), ash and walnut, and advises the client on the most suitable wood according to style and budget.

Scope of renovation and product ranges

The staircase renovation service consists of keeping the existing structure and replacing the visible elements: handrails, spindles, newel posts, cladding and balustrades, with the option of switching to glass balustrades. According to the company, this approach is quicker and less invasive than a full replacement, and transforms the appearance of the staircase. The firm distinguishes between cosmetic changes, which generally do not require building control approval, and renovations that alter the structure, the riser height or the tread dimensions, which may need to comply with current building regulations; the company advises on this during the free design visit.

Hambledon Staircases offers two distinct ranges. The signature range is handmade in-house: each handrail is made in the workshop and 90 mm newel posts, 41 mm spindles and 10 mm toughened glass are used. The classic range uses externally manufactured handrails and offers a more economical alternative. Both are always presented at the quotation stage.

The service can include additional elements such as curtail steps, oak cladding and glass fittings.

Under-stairs storage and bespoke furniture

The company designs and makes bespoke storage solutions for the space under the stairs, either as a standalone project or integrated into a renovation. Among the options it mentions are secret bookcase doors, wine storage and modules for storing shoes and boots. The storage modules and handrails of the main range are made to order in its own workshop, which allows each piece to be adjusted to the client's specification instead of using standard kits.

The workshop also produces bespoke kitchens and furniture, such as hand-painted kitchens, bathroom cabinets and fitted bookcases.

Quotations, visits and recognition

The company offers a free, no-obligation design visit in which the client's ideas are discussed and a detailed, itemised quotation is prepared. It is also possible to request a quotation from photographs. The cost varies depending on the materials and the scope of the project, from a simple refresh of handrails and spindles through to a full renovation with a solid oak glass balustrade.

Hambledon Staircases states that its work has received multiple awards over the years and that it has independent reviews on Houzz and Trustpilot, in addition to those published on its own site. Among the testimonials collected on Houzz, several clients highlight Nick's professionalism and skill, as well as the transformation of their oak and glass or oak with spindles staircases.

Location and contact

Hambledon Staircases, Fiddleford, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BX, United Kingdom · Telephone: 01258 269901 · Email: nick@hambledonstaircases.co.uk