From British Land to Cricket's World Stage

Celebrating 150 Years of Craftsmanship — Grow with Gray-Nicolls

Learn How It Works

How It Works

Whether you're already growing willow or starting from scratch, we make the journey simple and rewarding.

Grow or Supply

Have existing willow trees ready to sell? We'll assess and offer top prices. Want to grow? We’ll help you plant the finest willow, carefully selected and expertly planted for cricket bats.

Maintain

Ongoing care is key to preserving tree value, we offer expert advice and regular checks to manage risks like weather, livestock, and side shoots.

Harvest

Our experienced team manages felling with care, handling everything from cutting to cleanup, and leaving the site neat and ready for new planting.

Get Paid

We reward quality with premium, tax-free payments — making your investment a strong, sustainable choice.

Gray-Nicolls willow is part of the Grays of Cambridge family owned by the Gray family since 1858 and now in the hands of the 5th generation. Gray-Nicolls Willow’s aim is to purchase, plant and cultivate willow to provide wood for hand-crafting into iconic Gray-Nicolls bats, making us a solid partner for you. We are proud of this rich heritage and the exciting financial and environmental opportunities it creates for British landowners.

Learn More About The Process

Let Your Willow Work for You

Whether you're managing woodlands or a smallholding, Gray-Nicolls offers tailored, profitable solutions for your willow.

Full-Site Harvesting
Tax-Free Premiums
Simple, Managed Process
Get Started Today

Why Work With Gray-Nicolls?

We go beyond buying willow — we build lasting partnerships grounded in value, trust, and sustainability.

Zero-Waste Approach

We aim to reduce emissions and support local industry by using every part of the tree, only chipping what’s absolutely necessary.

Environmental Incentives

We’ll help you unlock relevant grants and environmental schemes for added returns and ecological impact.

Tree Care Guidance

Receive hands-on advice for inspecting and managing trees throughout the year to maintain top-quality growth.

Profitable Forestry Crop

Cricket bat willow is among the most valuable forestry crops — especially when grown knot-free and healthy.

Tailored Support

Every landowner is different. We offer a fully managed, personalised service to match your goals and land type.

Clean, Careful Harvesting

We harvest efficiently with respect for your land — leaving behind a clean, tidy site with no hassle to you.

Top Market Prices

We reward quality with premium, tax-free payments — making your investment a strong, sustainable choice.

What Our Growers Say

Hear from landowners who are already benefiting from our willow-growing partnership.

Portrait of Ben Thomas

“The estate has been in partnership with Gray-Nicolls for more than ten years, planting both individual willow plantations and sett beds of willow whips. As a land manager, the benefit of using hitherto wet, unproductive land for long-term profitable use has helped the estate with its twin aims of diversification and environmental stewardship, as well as the bonus of supporting the traditional rural craft of bat-making by a local company. The team at Gray-Nicolls are a delight to work with – passionate, knowledgeable and supportive.”

Ben Thomas, Manager, Penshurst Place Estate
Portrait of Rory Waterer

“We have had a very long association with Gray-Nicolls and their knowledge and professionalism is clear for all to see. Nothing is too much trouble for them and they are more than fair in all of their dealings. Here on the estate we have a well-established and thriving enterprise producing the highest quality of timber for cricket and that is a reflection of having had Gray-Nicolls by our side for so many years.”

Rory Waterer, Owner, Wyvols Court Farm
Portrait of Ben Thomas

“Working with Gray-Nicolls has turned my under-utilised wet land into a profitable, sustainable asset. Their team guided me from day one and have been a pleasure to deal with: prompt payment, no hassle, and a great team. I’d recommend Gray-Nicolls to any landowner looking for long-term value. The process was seamless — from planting to harvesting. Knowing that my willow will make Gray-Nicolls bats in the future is incredibly rewarding.”

Tom Dobell, Garnons Farm

Fast Payment. Fair Prices.

We pride ourselves on paying growers promptly and competitively. Whether you're supplying willow or planting with us, your time and timber are valued — and that’s reflected in your return.

  • Top market rates for quality willow
  • Payment processed within days of collection
  • Transparent valuation process every step of the way

The Journey of a Cricket Bat Willow

From wetland planting to world-class performance — every Gray-Nicolls bat begins its story in British Land.

Gray-Nicolls works closely with large estates, farmers, and landowners to identify areas suitable for planting cricket bat willow — typically wetter, low-lying land. We grow from our own carefully maintained set beds, selecting only the highest quality trees for planting.

After approximately 20 years of growth, the mature willow trees are professionally harvested and transported to our facility in Robertsbridge, where the manufacturing process begins.

150 Years of Passion, Craft, and Legacy

Explore the story behind the brand trusted by cricketers across generations.

Discover Our Legacy