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The Truggery

Makers of Traditional Sussex Trugs since 1899

Traditional Sussex Trug Baskets

Our workshop and shop are located on the edge of the village of Herstmonceux in East Sussex.  It has always been a family run business since its founder, Reuben Reed came here in 1899.  He was succeeded by two further generations.  Everyone who has lived in this house has been involved in the manufacture or sale of trugs.

  • Durability

  • More than an ornament. A genuine Sussex Trug is built to last and work hard for you. With a little care, you could be passing in on to your grandchildren.
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  • The Gardener's Choice

  • A trusted tool for a variety of uses. These light but strong baskets make a great gardening companion. Use them to carry plants, compost, pots and tools; as a flower gatherer; in the poultry yard; to harvest your fruits and vegetables and carry logs for the fire. Take a look through our wide range to find the most useful one for

  • Tradition

  • Made with the same tools, materials and care for generations.

Durability

More than an ornament. A genuine Sussex Trug is built to last and work hard for you. With a little care, you could be passing in on to your grandchildren. Buy here

The Gardener's Choice

A trusted tool for a variety of uses. These light but strong baskets make a great gardening companion. Use them to carry plants, compost, pots and tools; as a flower gatherer; in the poultry yard; to harvest your fruits and vegetables and carry logs for the fire. Take a look through our wide range to find the most useful one for

Tradition

Made with the same tools, materials and care for generations.

Featured collection

  • Sussex Garden Trug No. 7 (half bushel), made from traditional, sustainable materials in Herstmonceux
    from £35.00
    from £35.00
    Sold out
  • from £36.00
    from £36.00
    Sold out
  • from £46.00
    from £46.00
    Sold out

What are Sussex Trugs?

A Sussex Trug is a wooden frame basket almost peculiar to a small region in East Sussex.  The handle and rim are of locally coppiced Sweet Chestnut, body is formed of willow boards and the feet should be of the same willow.

Traditionally used by local farmers and market gardeners for harvesting produce, measuring and feeding livestock they are now more generally used in the home and garden.

Frequently asked questions
Traditional tools used to hand-craft Sussex trugs

Trug making: the traditional way

All our Sussex Trugs are made in the traditional way, starting with cleaving, shaving and steaming Sweet Chestnut poles then nailing in shaved willow boards and finishing them with 'feet' or 'straps'.  Apart from the introduction of a mechanical saw in the 1930s, the tools and methods we use remain unchanged from those used for hundreds of years.

How are trugs made?

The Sussex Trug: Form, Function and Craft

An in-depth book, taking a look into the history of the Trug. Written by Sarah Page, with a foreword from Ray Mears

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