Why Neptune

Our Story

1996

It starts with a hammock

Friends John Sims-Hilditch and Giles Redman set up a business selling hammocks. In their first year, they sell over 5,500 hammocks, taking even them by surprise.

1997

A garden furniture business grows

John and Giles design a rocking deckchair, and then expand into garden furniture. They travel to exhibitions across the UK and Europe, often camping to save money.

1998

A sketch by Emma Sims-Hilditch, John's wife and Neptune's creative founder, becomes the first magazine advertisement for Neptune.

2002

A move inside

The garden furniture business is successful but seasonal. John and Giles decide to expand their knowledge into tables and chairs for the interior.

2007

The kitchen journey begins

Searching for a crafted kitchen at an affordable price, John designs a collection of freestanding cabinets. This is the beginning of Neptune's innovative approach to kitchen design, and what becomes the Chichester collection. That first kitchen remains in the family home to this day.

2008

A painterly palette

A paint collection is needed to support the growing painted kitchen business. The first shade is Limestone, followed by Honed Slate. Today, there is a signature collection of 28 natural shades which sit alongside seasonal shades.

2008

A focus on simple lines

Following the success of the first kitchen design, Neptune launches the pared back, Shaker-inspired Suffolk kitchen collection.

2010

Branching out

As customers regularly enquire about the accessories they see in Neptune photography, John and Giles decide to launch a homeware collection, starting with lighting and accessories and working with partners across Europe.

2010

In praise of oak

The understated Henley kitchen launches, offering customers the chance to have exposed oak cabinetry or a mix of painted and oak cabinets.

“A wooden table contains the story of its journey as a living thing. We need to protect the surface, but we need to connect with the beauty of the wood as well. It's why we devised our IsoGuard finish.”

John Sims-Hilditch
2012

Turning to upholstery

The success of the accessories and lighting collection propels John and Giles to launch a full home collection, starting with the Charlotte sofa and Sophie and Amelia armchairs.

2012

Stepping into stores

The first Neptune store opens in Winchester, in a renovated Victorian pub, featuring the full kitchen and home collections. Setting the stage for Neptune stores to come, it is designed to feel more like a home than a store.

2012

Big plans ahead

From a Chippenham barn, Neptune moves into a new HQ in Wiltshire, which includes a showroom, café, offices, workshops, shoot studio and distribution facility.

2012

The first European store opens in Berlin, Germany.

2014

Building with love and care

Taking full control of end-to-end production to ensure optimum quality, Neptune opens a state-of-the-art production house in Qingdao, northern China.

2016

“we want to move in”

Neptune’s first major press launch, where a London art gallery is transformed into a Neptune home, is met with critical acclaim.

2016

Stories magazine launches and sets a new benchmark for brand publishing.

2018

Introducing interiors expertise

The Home Design Service launches providing customers with expert interior design project management.

2018

The revolutionary Chawton cabinet launches

2018

New horizons

Neptune redevelops the historic Tram Yard in Bath, building a flagship store and The Provenist cafe, and refurbishing ten luxury apartments, creating a complete Neptune complex.

2023

Personalised colour advice

Following the popularity of the Design Service, the Colour Consultancy launches, helping customers create the perfect colour palettes for their homes.

We want to be known for our integrity and commitment to doing the right thing. We want to stick by that for the next 100 years and beyond.