Our Harrison Spinks Middlesmoor mattress review
My old mattress was…fine. Comfortable (ish) when I used a padded topper, not too lumpy, and relatively inexpensive. Honestly, I hadn’t given it a great deal of thought until earlier this year, when I paid a visit to the farm, estate, and factory of Harrison Spinks, in North Yorkshire.
Over the course of a couple days, I saw every step of the brand’s mattresses being made, from growing the linen and hemp for stuffing to hand-finishing the final products. The big reveal, though, was lying on one. What had I been doing for the past decade? It was time for an upgrade.
What makes a Harrison Spinks mattress special?
The Middlesmoor mattress, which I tried, is part of the British Natural Collection at John Lewis, and a perfect example of what makes Harrison Spinks special. It combines extra-soft and absorbent fillings (with lambswool included alongside linen and hemp) with an internal spring system that’s proprietary to the brand. Essentially, each spring contains a series of smaller springs within it, meaning your body is cradled in whichever position you find most comfortable. Plus, it’s developed sustainably, using renewable products that are naturally fire-retardant, and made entirely without glue so it can be recycled at the end of its life.
Is the Harrison Spinks Middlesmoor more comfortable than a regular mattress?
The moment I unpacked it and lay on it for the first time, I wondered if I’d ever get out of bed again. It’s soft, but not squashy, and feels as though it’s fully supporting your weight. And because of its breathable fillings, I’ve felt much cooler while sleeping, and have woken up far less often from overheating - even with a duvet on.
The biggest difference? My boyfriend is an extremely restless sleeper, so I had become used to being jolted awake a few times each night by his tossing and turning. Now, because of the spring construction of the mattress, I’m no longer sent flying every time he rolls over. It’s been a game changer.
How firm is the Harrison Spinks Middlesmoor?
Varying degrees are available, from soft up to extra firm. But a piece of advice that stuck with me when I visited the factory was that most people are going firmer than they need to. It’s one of the most common mistake, often made in the belief it’ll be better for the sleeper’s alignment. In fact, an over-hard mattress can put excessive pressure on your hips and lower back, which means you’re more likely to toss and turn in the night.
Mine is a medium, which feels exactly right: the right mattress should gently support the curve of your lower back, and should be soft enough for side sleepers that your hips aren’t under pressure.
Do you need a topper for our mattress?
Toppers are available, though I haven’t needed one yet: the mattress feels comfortable enough without. The brand did advise a cotton protector, though, which will extend the life of your mattress (not least because the average person loses a pint of water while they sleep!)
Verdict: is the Harrison Spinks Middlesmoor mattress worth it?
Hand on heart, yes: it’s made a bigger difference to my sleep (and my mood) than any ‘wind down routines’ or digital detoxes. Before I tried it, I would have been hard to convince that it was an investment I’d be glad of. Now, I can’t believe I didn’t upgrade sooner.
The one downside: it’s become even harder to drag myself out of bed every morning.
★★★★★
