A Day on the Timber Trail
- Celine Marks
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
As I prepare for more creative wood-burning projects, I recently set out on a day trip to explore local wood suppliers in Surrey and West Sussex. With my lovely Mum joining me for the adventure, it became more than just a practical errand—it turned into a day of discovery, connection, and inspiration.
One of the highlights was our stop at WL West & Sons Ltd (which had been recommended by a fellow wood crafter), a family-owned sawmill and timber merchant in West Sussex with over 155 years of experience.
Steeped in tradition and craftsmanship, this place was a true gem. The staff were incredibly kind and generous with their knowledge, and the quality of timber available was top-notch—beautiful cuts, well-priced, and clearly maintained with care. I’ll definitely be heading back to see what else they have in stock throughout the year!
Whilst there, I had a particularly eye-opening conversation about which woods are safe (and unsafe) to burn. That’s when I learned that Yew wood is actually toxic. I hadn’t known this before, but it turns out that all parts of the yew tree are poisonous, including the wood itself. Burning it can release toxic fumes due to a compound called taxine, which can cause everything from eye, skin, and respiratory irritation to nausea, headaches, and even cardiac symptoms. This kind of information is exactly why speaking with local experts is so valuable! These aren’t things you always find in a quick Google search or product description. It’s through these conversations that you deepen your understanding and appreciation for the materials you’re working with.
What made the visit even more special was discovering that one of the staff members at WL West actually practices pyrography himself. It was so nice to connect with someone who not only works with timber professionally but also appreciates it creatively. He shared some great tips on wood types for burning and mentioned that both apple and pear wood can be excellent choices for pyrography.
After WL West, we headed over to The Makers Barn in Petworth, and what a wonderful surprise that turned out to be. This creative hub is a treasure trove of handmade products by rural craftspeople, and it also hosts regular craft workshops. I hadn’t gone in expecting to buy anything specific—but there, tucked away, we found the perfect live edge piece for an upcoming project. There’s something so rewarding about finding the right piece when you least expect it, especially in a place that celebrates local talent and traditional skills.
In the end, what started as a practical timber hunt became a full day of inspiration, learning, and connection with the local maker community. We came away with not just wood, but a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, conversation, and community.
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