The craft of organ building in the UK stretches back hundreds of years, peaking in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The craft has been influenced by European styles over the centuries.
Medieval Origins (10th–15th Centuries)
The history of organ building in the UK begins as early as the 10th century. One of the earliest known pipe organs was installed at Winchester Cathedral around 980 AD. This was a monumental instrument for its time, reportedly requiring multiple people to operate the bellows. During the medieval period, organs were mainly used in monastic and cathedral settings to accompany plainchant. These early instruments were relatively simple in construction but laid the groundwork for future developments in organ design.
Renaissance and Reformation (16th Century)
The English Reformation in the 16th century had a profound impact on organ building. Under Henry VIII, many monasteries were dissolved, and their organs destroyed. Despite the widespread destruction, organ building did not vanish entirely. Smaller, more modest instruments began to appear in parish churches. These were often portable and used in more limited musical contexts, reflecting the cautious religious climate of the time.
Restoration and Baroque Period (17th–18th Centuries)
Organ building experienced a significant revival following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. The return of more elaborate church services led to renewed interest in the organ as a liturgical and concert instrument. This period saw the rise of master builders such as Bernard Smith (often referred to as “Father” Smith) and his rival Renatus Harris. Both men contributed to the construction of landmark instruments, including those in St Paul’s Cathedral and other major churches across the country.
Victorian Era and Industrial Expansion (19th Century)
The 19th century marked a golden age of organ building in the UK. The Gothic Revival and a surge in church construction created high demand for new organs. Innovations in technology, including pneumatic and electric actions, allowed for greater complexity and reliability in design. Mass production also enabled wider distribution of organs to smaller churches and public buildings. Notable builders from this era included Henry Willis & Sons, J.W. Walker & Sons, and Norman & Beard, whose instruments still stand today in many cathedrals and concert halls.
20th Century to Present
In the 20th century, organ building in the UK entered a phase of both innovation and conservation. The Organ Reform Movement sought a return to the clarity and tonal style of earlier Baroque instruments, often in reaction to the more romantic and orchestral sound of Victorian organs. Advances in materials and electronics introduced new possibilities, including digital organs. Today, British organ builders such as Harrison & Harrison Ltd, Mander Organ Builders, and Nicholson & Co. continue the tradition, balancing the restoration of historic instruments with the construction of new, state-of-the-art organs.
The profession encompasses a broad range of specialist skills in wood, metal and leather-work, alongside those required for the voicing and tuning of pipework and the designing of new instruments. The craft also includes the restoration, to particular standards, of existing pipe organs and the regular maintenance of a large number throughout the UK.
More specifically, the skills include carpentry, cabinet making, leatherwork, metalwork, electrical work (mainly for modern control systems), tuning, voicing (making pipes speak the correct tone and pitch), design (including CAD), and conservation techniques.
The crafts come together to produce a wide range of pipe organs from small single manual instruments to very large instruments comprising three or four manuals and pedals; the skills required also support the building and restoration of instruments with mechanical, pneumatic, electrical or electronic controls.
On the job training is offered by the larger companies such as Harrison & Harrison Ltd. who have developed their own internal training programme.
Efforts to develop an apprenticeship in organ building have been halted due to problems with providing end point assessment. The Level 3 Organ Building Apprenticeship has been developed but is not currently being delivered.
The Institute of British Organ Building has a list of accredited organ builders on its website.
Member survey data from the Institute of British Organ Building shows that, of the 35 member businesses active in 2025, the majority are carrying out organ tuning, maintenance and restoration work. Most organ builders are members of the IBO and the whole sector is estimated to be made of around 51 businesses and individual makers.
Based on the survey and knowledge of non-members we have estimated the following figures:
Relatively few businesses have the in house skills and capacity to offer a full organ building service, including making new organs.
The survey also shows that 62% of the workforce are over 46 and 32% are over 55. Of the businesses surveyed, 20% said that they are looking to retire in the next ten years. As most businesses have only one or two members of staff, it is unlikely that they will have succession plans in place or the capacity to train new staff.
Our thanks go to our 2025 reviewers:
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