Owl Bench — Hand-Carved Oak Barn Owls

Two barn owls, leaning cheek to cheek on an oak branch, carved deep into the backrest of a solid oak bench. Our owl bench is one of the most-loved pieces we make — a garden bench, a school bench, a memorial bench and an anniversary gift, all in one.

This is the latest version, just finished in our Mid Wales workshop (the cows wandered over to inspect it while we took the photos). The two owls sit nestled together among carved oak leaves and acorns, their feathers cut feather by feather, and the uprights rise like the branches of a tree. Barn owls are famous for pairing up for life, which is why this bench so often marks a marriage, an anniversary or two people remembered together. One carries the inscription “Cinquante années de mariage” — fifty years of marriage, carved in French. Another stands on a forest path in memory of Graham Peter Bartram, 1949–2023.

Schools love them too. An earlier owl bench went to Grove Road Primary School in Hertfordshire, and Andrea at Exeter Cathedral School told us: “The children are enjoying them immensely. All we need now is better weather!” If you like this, have a look at our Owl Storytelling Chair, the painted Owl Memorial Bench and our full range of memorial benches. Prices include VAT. Schools can order on invoice.

Key Features

• Two hand-carved barn owls on the solid oak backrest — deeply carved, feather by feather
• Carved oak leaves and acorns framing the owls
• Branch-shaped oak uprights and curved arms
• Personalisation available: names, dates, dedications, inscriptions
• A garden bench, school bench, memorial bench or anniversary gift
• Mortise and tenon joinery throughout — built for decades of outdoor use
• Choose your finish — supplied unvarnished as standard, or add three coats of Epifanes yacht varnish for lasting colour and sheen (+£50)

Dimensions

This bench is available in three standard sizes. The key measurement is the overall width:

• Two-seater: 140 cm wide
• Three-seater: 170 cm wide
• Four-seater: 200 cm wide

All sizes are 55 cm deep, with a 45 cm seat height and 120 cm overall height. See drawings of each size in our bench sizes guide. Every bench is made to order, so if you need a different size to fit your space, just ask.

Your Version

The owls stay the same; everything else is yours. Add names, a wedding or anniversary date, a phrase or a dedication along the front rail — or keep it clean. We’ll send you a drawing before anything is carved. Lead time is typically 4–5 weeks, and we can work to an anniversary, a memorial date or the start of term. Get in touch to order.

Finish

This piece is supplied unvarnished as standard. Left natural, solid oak slowly weathers to a soft, silvery-grey — completely normal for outdoor timber, a graceful way for a piece to age, and with no maintenance needed. If you’d prefer to bring out the grain and warm, honeyed tones, choose the varnished option (+£50) and we’ll hand-apply three coats of Epifanes, a premium marine yacht varnish.