A very special collection of brooms celebrating being recognised as one of Country Living Magazine's 40 of the Best Artisans 2025!
Made to Order - Build Your Own Broom
Create a beautiful piece of folk art and then sweep your floors and hearths with it!
You'll design this broom in its entirety:
- broom size (small, medium or large)
- handle (natural hazel or solid oak)
- neck style (wound or woven)
- twine colour; and
- choice of antique or vintage horse brass (or none at all).
These are proper brooms and hand crafted using pre-industrial craft methods in my barn studio here in Somerset. Each broom is beautifully made with skill, perfectly balanced and a dream to sweep with. With proper care your broom will last many decades, potentially multiple generations (check out my new page on Broom Care). Something that may never need replacing in your lifetime. True British handcrafted quality and an heirloom that can be passed down through your family or clan.
Horse Brass - Not just a lucky charm!
These historic and decorative talismans have deep roots in our British rural heritage; historians aren't certain how the tradition was introduced to Britain, but what is known is that the manufacture of horse brass aka saddle brass, boomed in Walsall in the 19th and 20th centuries, peaking in their popularity around WWI.
We know that the decoration of horse bridles and saddlery for protection and luck is an ancient practice - evidence is found all over Europe and Asia. Perhaps the Romans introduced the idea to ancient Britain. Perhaps the Romany brought the practice with them from the Continent.
Decorative talismans then (and now) were thought to bring protection and good luck when applied to horse and oxen bridles. The pieces available here are a mix of antique and vintage and all represent celestial, folkloric and love symbols. What better way to reuse a beautiful piece of British history than to attach one to your favourite broom!
Cottage Brooms is a Small Batch, Limited Edition Run
This is a limited run - fewer than four handles of each wood type in each size is available. Unless otherwise noted, each horse brass pictured here is one of one. If you already have a horse brass that you would like me to attach to your broom, please choose NO HORSE BRASS in the options and send an email to me at hello@bristolbroomworks.com. You can post your brass to me and I'll happily attach that at no extra charge.
Each broom will be made in the new year - delivery by the end of February 2026 or earlier. UK Delivery Only (except NI).
