John Lewis British Natural Collection Helmsley Wool Pillowtop 7500 Pocket Spring Mattress im Test

The John Lewis Helmsley Wool Pillowtop 7500 is a 35 cm, medium-tension pocket sprung mattress from the British Natural Collection, and the own-label model to buy if comfort matters more than price. According to the John Lewis product page, it is handmade in Yorkshire by the bedmaker Harrison Spinks, and a Double costs £1,799 (October 2026).

Four layers of springs

Support comes from Cortec Air pocket springs, topped by three layers of smaller springs that John Lewis calls Micro Duo, Micro 2500 and Micro Nest. A Double holds 6,750 springs in total. The edge is built firmer so you can sit or sleep near it without feeling you might roll off. For couples, independent springs at this density limit how much one sleeper’s movement reaches the other side, and the medium tension leaves room for a side sleeper’s shoulder.

Natural fillings and cover

Between the springs and the cover sit traceable British wool from John Lewis’s selected farmers plus homegrown linen and hemp, and the listed composition names no foam. The tick is WoolKind, a wool and viscose fabric that John Lewis describes as naturally fire-retardant, tufted with wool rosettes and hand-stitched at the sides. Wool and plant fibres move moisture away from the body, which makes the Helmsley a sound choice for people who sleep hot.

Built to be recycled

The Cortec Air springs are sealed with heat rather than glue, so the unit can be taken apart, and John Lewis says the whole mattress is recyclable and offers to recycle it when you replace it after seven years. That matters: the North London Waste Authority estimates that the UK throws away about 7 million mattresses a year.

Sizes and prices

John Lewis also lists Emperor and zip and link versions.

Drawbacks

It costs more than twice as much as the Waitrose Wool 1600 in a Double. The cover is spot clean only, the mattress cannot be turned, and at 54.7 kg in a Double it takes two people to rotate. The 7-year guarantee and the 60-night comfort exchange are the same as on John Lewis’s cheaper own-label models.