THE LEDGER: YOUR MASTER SOURCING LIST
For deep-dive journals and photographic studies of UK-made icons, visit The Edit. Here in The Ledger you’ll find our ever-expanding directory of UK makers with details on their origins, products and more.
These are short-form entries - distilled intelligence on heritage, provenance and why these brands deserve a place in your collection. As our field research continues, we’ll produce full photographic reviews in The Edit.
WANDSWORTH ELECTRICAL – Woking, Surrey
The Heritage: Established in 1904, Wandsworth Electrical is the UK’s oldest manufacturer of luxury light switches and sockets. The company operates from a dedicated facility in Woking, where they employ a team of highly skilled technicians who hand-assemble and finish every product. They have resisted the industry trend of mass-moulding plastic components, instead maintaining a foundry-led approach that focuses on solid metals.
The Verdict: Wandsworth represents the antithesis of the disposable plastic switch, prioritising raw material substance and repairability. Their plates are machined from solid brass, stainless steel or aluminium - materials that are not only 100% recyclable but also offer a tactile durability that mass-market alternatives cannot replicate. A key sustainability feature is their modular internal architecture: should an internal component fail after years of use, the specific mechanism can be replaced without discarding the entire decorative faceplate. This commitment to hand-finishing ensures that their sockets age with a natural patination rather than perishing, maintaining the aesthetic and functional integrity of a building for generations. Their domestic supply chain supports local metal-finishing artisans and ensures a significantly lower carbon footprint than many of the globally sourced electrical accessories.
Core Products: Solid brass light switches, bespoke sockets and designer dimmers.