Why our sleep experts loved it
The Cashmere Ortho 1000 Pocket British Wool Mattress is a fairly classic firm orthopaedic: 1000 pocket springs for support, finished with natural cashmere, silk and British wool layers on top. It is handmade in the UK, hand tufted and at around 28 cm deep is a decent thickness that feels every inch a "proper" mattress rather than something cheap or flimsy.
Prices start quite reasonably for the spec, then head up predictably as you go up in size. Given what is in it I would still class it as fairly low to mid range, and for me it represents around the minimum I would be comfortable recommending if you are after an orthopaedic style pocket sprung mattress that should last a reasonable number of years with normal use and rotation.
The big caveat is firmness. This is a genuinely firm mattress, positioned very specifically for back and front sleepers. In practice that means good alignment and support if you like to sleep flat, but does make life tricky for lighter side sleepers and for those who like to flit between multiple positions through the night.
Build and materials The core is a support unit of up to 1000 individual pocketed springs. As the name suggests, each spring is enclosed in its own fabric pocket so that it can move more independently of the others, following the contours of your body rather than acting as one big bouncy grid. That is what provides the better pressure relief and less motion transfer compared to an equivalent open coil system at this price.
On top of the spring unit you get a stack of natural comfort fillings: cashmere, silk and traceable British wool. The cashmere and silk bring that slightly plush, more refined top feel, while the British wool gives a bit of bounce and resilience as well. The overall effect is that you do not feel like you are lying directly on bare springs, but the fillings are not thick or squidgy enough to turn it into a soft mattress. They are there to ease the firmness off a bit and help with temperature, not to create a pillowy sink.
The mattress is around 28 cm deep which is generous at this price and helps with stability and a more substantial look and feel on the bed. The cover is a soft knitted fabric that feels breathable and more tactile than a basic damask. The whole thing is hand tufted which pins the internal layers together and stops the natural fibres migrating over time, and there are side air vents and flag stitched handles to aid airflow and manoeuvrability.
It is a single sided, no turn model, so you sleep on one dedicated surface and simply rotate it head to toe every few weeks at first, then every three months or so. For many that is far more realistic than flipping, but does mean all of your wear is concentrated on one side so regular rotation is important if you want it to age evenly.
Firmness and feel The brand is very clear that this is a firm mattress and markets it very much at people who sleep on their front or back. That matches the way it actually feels in use. The initial impression when you lie down is of a flat, supportive surface with very little initial give. You feel on top of the mattress rather than in it, and there is a distinct sense of the hips being held up rather than dipping in.
The natural layers do soften that firmness a touch so it is not board like, and after a few nights once the top fibres relax and your body has adjusted the feel settles into that classic orthopaedic character: firm, reassuring and quite matter of fact rather than enveloping or cuddly. If you are used to dense memory foam slowly hugging you, this will feel much more traditional and responsive.
For back sleepers of average or above average weight that firm tension can be a real positive. Your lower back is well supported, your pelvis is not sagging and you are encouraged into a fairly neutral alignment. Stomach sleepers also tend to do well on firmer springs as the mattress does a decent job of preventing your midsection from bowing into hammock shape.
Where it becomes more divisive is side sleeping. Because the comfort layers are not especially deep and the spring unit is on the firmer side, there is not a huge amount of sink under the shoulder and hip. For some side sleepers, especially those who are lighter or have sharper, bonier shoulders, that can translate into pressure points and a sense of lying on the bed rather than being cradled by it. Owner feedback echoes this: side sleeping can be uncomfortable due to lack of sinkage around the shoulders and hips.
Motion isolation is very respectable for a spring mattress at this price. Thanks to the individual pockets, movement on one side of the bed is much less obvious on the other and the firmer tension helps everything feel more solid and under control. The tufting and depth also contribute to decent stability when you sit or lie near the edge, so you do not feel as if you are going to slide off the side.
Performance and support This is positioned as an orthopaedic mattress, which in practice generally means a firmer tension and a support system aimed at keeping the spine aligned rather than allowing deep sink. It is not a medical device but the combination of 1000 firmer pocket springs and a taut, tufted surface does a convincing job of holding the body in a stable position, particularly for back and front sleepers.
The springs are responsive, so they adapt fairly quickly as you move rather than leaving a body impression. You can turn over without fighting through slow moving foam and the surface quickly recovers its shape. That makes it a decent option for those who fidget and reposition a lot, as there is no stuck in the mud sensation.
Pressure relief is more nuanced. Under heavier areas like the pelvis, the springs compress enough to keep things comfortable but still feel undeniably firm. Under lighter zones, such as the shoulders of a slim side sleeper, there just is not the same level of sink, which is where discomfort can creep in. If you like that slightly unyielding, supportive feel you will probably enjoy it, but if you crave a bit of contour and hug around joints you are likely to be disappointed.
Edge support however is a strong point. The combination of firmer springs, deep profile and hand tufting gives a perimeter you can actually sit on to get dressed without feeling the side collapse. That is something a lot of cheaper hybrid and foam mattresses struggle with at this price.
Temperature regulation One of the biggest advantages of this mattress over a lot of foam heavy rivals is its temperature behaviour. The comfort layers are all natural fibres, specifically cashmere, silk and British wool, which are known for being breathable and good at wicking away moisture. That, plus the side air vents and lack of a thick memory foam layer means it runs noticeably cooler than many all foam beds.
The wool in particular helps buffer changes in temperature, so if you are someone who runs hot at night or who occasionally gets night sweats, this construction is far more forgiving than a dense, non breathable foam block. The knitted cover also feels relatively airy to the touch and the 28 cm depth allows air to circulate through the spring core rather than trapping heat against the body.
If you are a very cold sleeper who loves the cocoon warmth of deep foam you might find this feels a touch fresher than ideal but for most people in typical UK bedrooms it strikes a good balance between cosiness and ventilation.
Practical features From a practical perspective there is quite a lot to like. The mattress is single sided, so you do not have to flip it, and the "no need to turn" system simply requires regular rotation head to toe. There are proper flag stitched handles on the sides to help with this, which is important given the natural fillings and spring unit make it relatively heavy in the larger sizes.
It is hypoallergenic and meets domestic fire safety standards, and is handmade in the UK by an approved manufacturer which gives a bit of reassurance on build quality and compliance. The retailer typically backs it with a sleep trial and free or low cost delivery options, plus you can add old mattress removal or finance if you need help budgeting for a larger size or pairing it with a bed frame.
In terms of price it is at what I would call a reasonable lower mid range level. For a 28 cm deep, UK made mattress with 1000 pocket springs and genuine natural fillings, that is a fair ticket. It is not a bargain basement special but the spec and finish are good enough that it feels like solid value rather than something you will be itching to replace after two years.
Sheet wise you need standard deep fitted sheets designed for mattresses up to around 30 cm. On a typical divan or bed frame the profile looks substantial but not overly tall, so you do not get that overstuffed hotel mattress look but it certainly does not appear weedy.
Who it suits Back sleepers who like a firm feel: If you are primarily on your back and want your lower spine held in a neutral position with minimal sag, this ticks that box very convincingly for the money.
Stomach sleepers needing extra support: Front sleepers often do better on firmer beds, and the orthopaedic tension here helps prevent the midsection from dipping and causing back ache.
Hot or sweaty sleepers: The natural fillings, breathable cover and side vents make this a sensible choice if you tend to overheat on foam mattresses or live in a warmer home.
Those who want natural fibres on a lower mid range budget: If you like the idea of cashmere, silk and British wool but do not want to pay full luxury prices, this is a realistic entry point that still feels like a step up from synthetic only options.
Couples who dislike roll together: Individually pocketed springs and the firmer tension help reduce partner disturbance and stop you both sliding into the middle of the bed.
Who it does not suit Dedicated side sleepers: If you almost always sleep on your side, especially if you are lighter or have sensitive shoulders and hips, I would avoid this model. There simply is not enough plushness or sink to keep those joints comfortable over long nights, and owner feedback backs that up.
Combination sleepers who switch positions a lot: You can roll and move easily on this mattress, but if you regularly flip between back and side through the night you may find the side sleeping phases too firm and end up chasing comfort with extra toppers. I would not recommend it as an all position solution for that reason.
Anyone wanting a soft, hotel style bed: This does not have a pillow top, deep foam layer or marshmallow feel. If you want that sink in and be hugged sensation, this will feel much too flat and businesslike.
People who want a fully two sided mattress: Some buyers prefer a flippable design for longevity. This one is single sided, so if that is non negotiable for you it will not fit the brief.
Final verdict The Cashmere Ortho 1000 Pocket British Wool Mattress is, in my view, a solid baseline choice if you are shopping for a firmer orthopaedic style pocket sprung mattress on a realistic budget. You get a proper 28 cm depth, a support core of 1000 individual pocketed springs and a comfort layer that uses genuine cashmere, silk and British wool rather than cheap foam or hollowfibre.
Crucially, the price is sensible for what is on offer and, handled correctly with regular rotation, it should see you through a good number of years without feeling like a false economy. For back and front sleepers in particular it offers the kind of firm, no nonsense support that many people with niggly backs actively seek out.
The trade off is comfort versatility. Side sleepers, lighter bodies and anyone who craves deep cushioning under shoulder and hip are likely to find it too unforgiving. My advice would be not to buy this as an all size fits all option for combination sleeping as side sleeping comfort simply is not its strength.
Treat it instead as a targeted, orthopaedic leaning mattress that is genuinely good at what it is designed for and you will probably be very happy with it. If you are a confirmed back or stomach sleeper who runs a bit warm and wants natural materials without straying out of the lower mid price bracket it deserves a firm spot on your shortlist.
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