The story of walking stick specialist Classic Canes began in 1977, when Ben and Diana Porter bought a romantic but ruined hunting lodge set in neglected woodland in the farming county of Somerset, England. The house was rebuilt during the early 1980s, and large areas of the woodland converted to the centuries-old system of 'coppice with standards'. Underneath the large beech and ash trees, the sustainable forestry technique of coppicing produces a never-ending supply of naturally regenerating raw material suitable for the production of walking sticks.

Enquiries among local shopkeepers revealed a demand for good quality walking sticks, and so Classic Canes was founded in 1982 as a walking stick supplier to this market. Traditionally, walking sticks are sold through leather goods and country clothing shops, saddlers, tobacconists, department stores and quality gift shops. In recent years, healthcare shops, mail order catalogues, handbag and accessories stores, internet retailers and garden centres have also become successful sellers of walking sticks. Indeed, almost any type of shop can sell walking sticks!

Classic Canes now stocks over 650 models of walking sticks, folding canes, seat sticks and umbrellas, as well as the all-important accessories such as cord wrist loops and replacement rubber ferrules. We believe this to be one of the largest and finest selections of walking sticks in the world. Available through stockists in over forty countries, Classic Canes represents the best of British style, elegance and practicality.

Classic Canes is now a second-generation family business. Whilst Ben and Diana still play important roles in the business, their daughter, Charlotte Gillan became the managing partner in 2010. Other members of the family assist with duties as diverse as modelling walking sticks for our catalogues to setting up the Classic Canes stand at trade fairs. Even our golden retrievers and other animals play their part, making this a true family business.