Frank Charlton established A J Charlton & Sons Ltd in 1903 when he made the decision to diversify from farming to hauling timber. Originally formed to supply timber pit props to the nearby coal mines around Norton Radstock, Charltons used to cut and shape the wood at the family run sawmill before transporting it by horse and cart to the pit head.

During World War 1, Ferdinand Charlton, his brother Edward (and Charlton’s best horses) were called up to fight for King and Country. Thankfully Ferdinand returned safely and purchased a coal business to add to the pit prop work making return trips from the pit heads more profitable. Coal was purchased from the colliery in exchange for timber using a barter system.

In 1929, Ferdinand’s second son, Anthony James, later to become Chief Executive of A.J. Charlton & Sons was born. In 1943, A.J. Charlton left Frome School at the age of 14 to work with horses, followed by vehicles,  delivering coal and timber.

A. J. Charlton and his wife Edna had four sons, Michael, Peter, David and Adrian. All four boys eventually became directors of the family business in 1976 when a limited company was formed.

In 1978 an additional sawmill was purchased in Ubley, but as it was in poor condition it was replaced with a new sawmill. This same year new offices and a workshop were built to expand production of gates and a retail department officially opened to sell Charltons products; timber, gates, flooring and furniture.

In 1979, A.J. Charlton & Sons Ltd increased its fleet of modern lorries to over 10 vehicles. A Timber Trade Centre based in Radstock was launched in 1985 to supply timbers, mouldings, patio doors, conservatories, joinery, gates, fencing and craft supplies. This created an additional 15 jobs.

Charltons starts supplying Glastonbury festival with timber for festival furniture and landscape features, and wood chips to help deal with the mud.

A.J. Charlton & Sons Ltd awarded Investors in People recognition

In 1999, A.J. Charlton & Sons Ltd was identified as one of the top three gate companies in Britain and also markets in Belgium, France and Eire. The Sawmills also became the largest hardwood sawmill in the UK.

In 2000 A.J. Charlton & Sons Ltd was granted the Royal Warrant for supply of gates and timber to the Royal households.

Charltons are pleased to supply various National Trust properties and the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. Charltons has also supplied the BBC Gardeners World programme with feather edge fencing.

Charltons rebranding – our new brand is a sign of Charltons being a modern, professional company with a rich history. The tree rings are reflective of the generations of the Charltons family since the birth of the company in 1903 – as new generations join the company rings can be added to depict the continual growth of the company.

Charltons won the Somerset Family Business of the Year and in same year was awarded the Top Product of the Year award by The Professional Builder Magazine.

Charltons shipped the first container of gates to Westbury Gates in Australia.

Charltons won a tender to supply and fit a pair of bespoke Courtyard Gates at Buckingham Palace.

Charltons became members of Made in Britain using the mark to promote British made products.

Charltons Queen Royal Warrant renewed for a further 5 years.

Charltons invests in a 350 KWp solar panel system producing over 35% of the companies energy. A step towards being carbon neutral.

Committed to improving transport efficiencies, Charltons invests in new Arctic lorries, cutting emissions by 17%, reducing the number of vehicles on the road, and offsetting carbon with more biofuel.

Charltons celebrate their landmark 120-year anniversary. To mark the anniversary Charltons have been planting trees and have launched several new products including including two new 5 Bar gates and a new Courtyard gate design.

Charltons awarded a Royal Warrant from His Majesty The King.

The company’s Chairman and namesake, AJ Charlton, passed away after a relatively short illness. AJ was very passionate and proud of the family business, and all who worked within it until the very end. Having reached an incredible age of 95 his interest never waivered.