Who the Millbrook Serenity 1020 suits
The 1020 is the cheapest way into a handmade Millbrook, and it is a traditional mattress in the best sense: pocket springs and natural fillings, with no memory foam at all. It suits back and combination sleepers of average build who want a buoyant, supportive surface that keeps them on top of the mattress rather than sinking in, and anyone who has found foam mattresses too warm.
If you sleep mainly on your side or want a plusher top, the Serenity 2500 adds a layer of micro springs for about £175 more on a double, and is the better fit.
Construction
Every Serenity mattress shares the same chassis: Millbrook's ErgoZone 7 seven-zone spring layout, softer under the shoulders and hips and firmer under the lower back and legs; the Ultra Edge perimeter system with hand side-stitching; a Smooth-Tech tuft-free top, so there are no tufting buttons to feel; and a chemical-free Smooth-Flex four-way stretch cover. All are non-turn, so you rotate them head to foot rather than flipping. The models differ in spring count, the natural fillings on top and the depth.
The 1020 has 1,020 full-size pocket springs and no secondary spring layer. On top are traceable Hampshire wool and breathable English cotton. The mattress is 28cm deep.
Comfort and support
Full-size pocket springs with only natural fibres above them give a firmer, more responsive feel than a foam or hybrid mattress at the same tension. Support is the strength here: seven zones and a full spring unit keep the spine level for back sleepers, and the firm tension is a sensible choice for heavier sleepers. The trade-off is pressure relief. Without micro springs or a deep comfort layer, lighter side sleepers may find the shoulder area firm, especially on firm tension.
Temperature, edges and motion
Springs leave plenty of air space, and wool and cotton wick moisture rather than trap heat, so this sleeps cooler than any all-foam mattress. The Ultra Edge system and hand side-stitching give a usable edge for sitting. Individually pocketed springs limit partner disturbance well, though not quite as completely as dense memory foam.
Returns, guarantee and delivery
Millbrook mattresses are handmade to order in Southampton, where the company has made beds since 1946, and carry a 5-year guarantee. There is no sleep trial: Laudsleep accepts returns within 30 days of delivery, but its returns policy excludes sale items, so check whether the price you are paying is a sale price before you buy. A 5-year guarantee is also shorter than the 10 years most bed-in-a-box brands offer, although a well-made pocket-sprung mattress with natural fillings typically lasts longer than its guarantee.
Choosing between Millbrook models? Our Millbrook mattress review compares the whole Serenity range, and Millbrook vs Hypnos vs Vi-Spring sets it against the other British makers.
Our verdict
A well-made, honest pocket-sprung mattress with natural fillings at a fair price for handmade. Buy it for support and a cool night. Side sleepers and anyone who likes a softer top should step up to the 2500.
