Why our sleep experts loved it
As you unwrap this mattress from its box and lay it on the bed, it’s hard not to fall in love with its timeless beauty. It is heavy and deep with comforting layers of natural materials stacked neatly on top of each other. As you stroke your hand over the damask cover and run your fingers over the tufting and side-stitching, you get a strong sense of quality and care that has gone into this. The Lichfield 5450 is an expertly crafted blend of tradition and technology with over 5,000 springs, plus additional wool, hemp, and Ecotex® fibres made from sustainable and recycled materials. It might not be cheap, but at this price point it’s easy to see where the money has gone and it’s one of the best of British mattress making.
Design & First Impressions
The first thing you notice is that it has serious depth. At 34cm deep the Lichfield 5450 stands head and shoulders above most other mattresses and fills the bed with presence. The Belgian damask cover is beautiful and refined, soft to the touch and very breathable. The neat, hand tufting looks top quality, while the traditional double side-stitching hints at the craftsmanship that has gone into the interior. The pillow top raises the height a little more and makes it look and feel so comfortable. This mattress would look right at home in a luxury hotel, but it also has that slightly rough-hewn handmade charm that makes Harrison Spinks stand out from other brands.
Construction & Materials
Open up the mattress and it quickly becomes clear that it’s a serious bit of kit. The support is formed by Harrison Spinks’ own Cortec™ Pocket Spring system, which is a glue-free, environmentally friendly, and highly responsive spring structure. Above that is a layer of micro springs, individually encased in cotton sacks to contour closely to the sleeper’s body shape. These work in a similar way to comfort foam but are far more breathable. The micro posture springs that sit on top of these are more finely calibrated, supporting specific pressure points and encouraging better spinal alignment. The construction is masterful, with multiple layers of support and comfort working together to distribute weight evenly and stay reactive over the whole surface.
The materials are no less impressive. The pillow top is stuffed with a blend of cotton, viscose, Ecotex® fibres, and British wool from Harrison Spinks’ own farm in Yorkshire. The wool is expertly used to naturally regulate temperature, so it keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. It also works together with the cotton and hemp to provide breathability and a fresh, clean feel. The Ecotex® fibres are 100% recycled and enhance both comfort and long-term resilience. This isn’t cheap, but this is comfort you can feel and it’s luxuriously soft without ever being cloying or soppy.
Comfort & Feel
The Lichfield 5450 has a very refined and high-end feel. It sits comfortably in the medium range, striking a perfect balance of cushioning and support. The pillow top provides a plush softness as you settle into the mattress, but the springs underneath provide a responsive structure that contours closely to your movements. It doesn’t let you sink or roll, but supports and cushions you, then gently lifts you into alignment. Comfort is good for all sleeping positions but side sleepers in particular will enjoy the tension between cushioning and resistance. Motion transfer is excellent too, with independent spring systems so that your partner remains blissfully undisturbed.
Performance & Support
The mattress performs like a top of the range product should. The triple spring construction is deeply satisfying and offers a kind of dynamic support that you just don’t find everywhere. The Cortec™ core keeps things stable, the micro springs make the mattress ultra-responsive, and the pillow top provides added comfort without disrupting alignment. The robust edges also mean you can use the full width of the mattress without feeling insecure or like you are rolling off. It is a little tall at 34cm but for many that’s an advantage. All the materials stay beautifully in shape even after extended use, so you don’t get any unevenness or compression from it getting worn. It feels fresh and consistent night after night.
Temperature Regulation
Temperature control is one of the standout features of the Lichfield 5450. The natural fibres used for fillings – wool, cotton, and hemp – all breathe freely and regulate heat better than most materials. The vents on the sides of the mattress allow airflow to circulate throughout, avoiding the stuffiness that is a problem in so many dense mattresses. In the summer it remains cool and dry, while in winter it feels pleasantly warm. It is one of those rare mattresses that manages to strike a perfect balance of comfort, one that most synthetic foams simply can’t match. For anyone who struggles to sleep cool on memory foam, it is a godsend.
Practical Features
The Lichfield 5450 has all the little touches and thoughtfulness you’d expect from such a premium British-made mattress. It is only single-sided for the sake of practicality, so you don’t need to flip it, just rotate seasonally. The sturdy flag-stitched handles make this a simple task. The hand side-stitching is also more than just decoration, it helps to reinforce the edges and prolongs the life of the mattress by reducing the chances of sagging. The chemical-free damask cover is woven in Yorkshire and feels amazingly fresh, soft, and breathable. The entire construction is also built with sustainability in mind, from the glue-free spring system to the fully recyclable Ecotex® fibres.
Everyday Use
The Lichfield 5450 has now been in use for several weeks and it continues to impress. There are no soft spots or dips and it is still holding its structure beautifully. The comfort levels remain consistently balanced and the edges are still supportive. It’s also just genuinely nice to sleep on, deep and cushioning but reliably firm where it matters. All the materials bounce back quickly and the breathability ensures it always feels fresh day after day. It’s clear that this is a product that has been built to last and the craftsmanship shows in how it ages over time.
Who It Suits
Sleepers who want a medium feel, a luxury finish, and natural materials will all be very happy with this mattress. It’s great for couples too thanks to the motion control, and particularly good for people who overheat on synthetic foams and mattresses. For anyone looking for an ethical, sustainable mattress that doesn’t skimp on performance, this ticks all the boxes. It also hits the mark for buyers who want hotel-level sleep with traditional character and serious longevity.
Who It Doesn’t Suit
The Lichfield 5450 won’t be right for those who want an orthopaedic, ultra-firm mattress, or those who prefer a minimalist, modern build. The pillow top design adds a soft, cushioned surface that some may find too plush. The depth also may be too much for a low-profile bed frame or if you want a slimmer silhouette. It’s also not an entry-level mattress, it is expensive by modern standards, so you pay for the craftsmanship.
Verdict
The Harrison Spinks Lichfield 5450 Pillow Top Mattress is traditional mattress making at its best. From the glue-free Cortec™ springs to the Yorkshire-woven damask cover, every element is thoughtfully constructed and made to the highest possible standards. The blend of natural materials and sophisticated spring systems works together to create a level of comfort and support that feels effortlessly luxurious. It’s expensive, but in a way that is so rare among premium mattresses, it is totally worth it. For anyone wanting a medium-feel, natural-fibre mattress that combines indulgence with sustainability, this is an outstanding choice.
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