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Mattresses

The mattress is one of those things that gets deferred. If the one you have isn't actively uncomfortable, it tends to stay, even when years have ...


The mattress is one of those things that gets deferred. If the one you have isn't actively uncomfortable, it tends to stay, even when years have passed and it's quietly past its best. Buying a new bed is usually the moment people finally address it, and it's worth doing properly. A well-matched mattress makes a real difference to how you sleep, and a poor one undermines a good bed frame entirely.




The mattresses here cover the main construction types you'll come across when shopping: pocket spring, memory foam, and latex, with some combining elements of more than one. Whether you're buying alongside a new bed frame or replacing an existing mattress without changing the base, you can browse the full collection here or go straight to your size: double mattresses, king size mattresses, single, small double, and super king all have their own pages. All are delivered across the UK in 7 to 14 days.




Finance is available on many mattresses, subject to status. It's worth knowing about if you're buying a frame and mattress together, since the two combined can be a meaningful spend. We're happy to help at any stage if you're not sure where to start. Give us a call or come into the Manchester showroom.

Single Mattresses Small Double Mattresses Double Mattresses Kingsize Mattresses Superking Mattresses

What's in this collection

Construction types

Pocket spring mattresses use individually wrapped coils that move independently of each other. The spring count, shown as a number like 1000 or 2000, tells you how many individual springs are in the mattress at king size: more springs means more contact points and finer contouring across the body. Because the spring structure allows air to circulate, pocket spring mattresses tend to sleep on the cooler side. They're also good at absorbing movement on one side without transferring it to the other.

Memory foam compresses under body heat and pressure, moulding to your shape and distributing weight more evenly. It's particularly useful for reducing pressure at the shoulders and hips, which makes it a popular choice for side sleepers. Some mattresses combine a pocket spring base with a memory foam comfort layer, offering some of the pressure relief of foam with the breathability of a spring structure underneath. For a closer look at how memory foam options compare, the memory foam mattresses page covers the specifics.

Latex mattresses have a different character again: more buoyant and responsive than memory foam, with a natural spring to the feel rather than the slow compression and return. They tend to sleep cooler than standard memory foam.

Sizes

The collection covers all five standard UK mattress sizes: single, small double, double, king, and super king. Each size has its own page, which is the clearest way to compare if you already know your bed size.

Pocket spring or memory foam

For most people buying a mattress, this is the main decision. Both constructions work well, and the right choice depends on how you sleep rather than one being objectively better than the other.

Pocket spring is the more versatile choice for shared beds. Independent coils mean one person turning over at 3am has less impact on the other side, and the breathable structure keeps the sleep temperature consistent. Most people find it easier to move on, which matters more than it sounds if you tend to change position during the night.

Memory foam suits people who wake with joint or pressure point discomfort, and particularly side sleepers, because the even weight distribution takes pressure off shoulders and hips. The honest trade-off is that it can sleep warmer, and the slower response can feel restrictive if you move around a lot. A combination mattress, with springs beneath and a foam comfort layer on top, is often a good middle ground for couples where one person has a stronger preference than the other.

Firmness and sleep position

Firmness is described differently across manufacturers, but soft, medium, and firm are the working categories most people use. Sleep position is the main guide.

Side sleepers generally do better on a softer to medium mattress. The shoulder and hip are the widest contact points, and a mattress that gives slightly at those points allows the spine to rest in a straighter line overnight. A firmer surface holds the body too high at those points, which tends to cause the shoulder and lower back stiffness many side sleepers notice in the morning.

Back and front sleepers tend to need more support. A soft mattress lets the hips sink disproportionately, which arches the lower back. Medium to firm is usually better. For heavier sleepers, firmness matters more broadly: more body weight compresses a softer mattress further than it was designed for, which reduces both the support and the longevity of the mattress over time.

If you share a bed and you and your partner have different preferences or sleep in different positions, it's worth thinking about this as a joint decision before you buy.

Spreading the Cost

Finance is available on many of our mattresses, subject to status. Mattresses are a purchase that rewards a bit more spend at the point of buying, since a better-specified mattress tends to hold its support for longer. Spreading the cost across monthly payments can make it easier to choose the right option rather than the nearest one within a tight budget. Details are shown on each product page.

Why buy from Shawcross

We're a Manchester-based retailer with a showroom and we deliver nationally across the UK. Mattresses are one of those purchases where talking it through makes a difference, particularly if you have questions about which construction type or firmness level suits your situation. We're used to these conversations and happy to help before you buy, whether that's over the phone or in person. If you'd like to come into the showroom, give us a call ahead of the visit and we can confirm what's currently on the floor.

Mattress FAQs

What does the spring count mean, and does a higher number mean a better mattress?

The spring count tells you how many individually wrapped coils are in the mattress, measured at king size. A 1000 spring count mattress has 1000 individual coils; a 3000 spring count has three times as many, which means more contact points between the mattress surface and your body. More coils generally produces finer contouring and more precise support, because the mattress can respond to smaller variations in your body shape rather than averaging across a broader area.

That said, spring count alone isn't a complete picture of quality. The gauge of the wire used for each spring, the depth of the spring system, and the quality of the comfort layers above it all affect how a mattress performs. A mid-range spring count in a well-constructed mattress can outperform a higher count in a shallower or less well-specified one. The spring count is a useful indicator, particularly for comparing similar mattresses from the same range, but it's worth reading the full specification rather than using the number in isolation.

For a main bedroom mattress used every night by two people, a higher spring count is usually a worthwhile investment. For a single in a child's room or a guest bedroom mattress that sees occasional use, a mid-range count is typically more than adequate.

How do I know when it's time to replace a mattress?

Most mattresses have a useful life of around seven to ten years, though this depends on construction quality and how heavily the mattress is used. There are a few clear signs that a mattress needs replacing.

Visible sagging or dipping in the areas where you sleep is the most obvious indicator. If there's a noticeable hollow, the support structure is no longer working as it should. Waking with lower back or shoulder stiffness that you didn't have when the mattress was newer is another sign, particularly if the discomfort eases during the day once you've moved around. Increased partner disturbance, where movement transfers more readily across the mattress than it used to, suggests the springs are losing their independence. And if lying on a newer mattress somewhere else, in a hotel or a guest bedroom, feels noticeably more comfortable than your own, that contrast is usually a fair indicator.

If your mattress is eight years old or more and any of these things are present, replacement is usually the better decision. Continuing with a mattress that's past its best tends to affect sleep quality in ways that accumulate gradually, and a new mattress on a good bed makes a more significant difference than most people expect.

Can I use any mattress with an ottoman or divan base?

Generally, yes. Ottoman and divan bases use a platform surface rather than a sprung base, and pocket spring, memory foam, and latex mattresses all work on a platform. There's no incompatibility to be aware of in terms of construction type.

The one practical consideration is overall bed height. A very deep mattress combined with a base that already sits at a comfortable height can result in a bed that's harder to get in and out of than you'd like, particularly for shorter sleepers or older family members. It's worth checking the combined height of base plus mattress and being comfortable with the result before ordering.

With ottoman beds specifically, the mattress sits on the lift platform and rises with it when you access the storage space beneath. This doesn't create any constraint on mattress type, but it does mean the mattress needs to be lifted and replaced each time you open the storage, so very heavy mattresses can make this slightly more effortful.

Does mattress type affect how warm I sleep?

Yes, and it's worth factoring in if you or a partner tends to sleep warm.

Pocket spring mattresses generally sleep the coolest. Air can move through the spring structure, which prevents heat from building up between the mattress surface and your body. Memory foam is the warmest type: it's a dense material that retains heat, and some people find this uncomfortable during warmer months or if they run naturally warm. Many manufacturers address this with open-cell foam structures or gel-infused layers that dissipate heat more effectively than standard memory foam, which is worth checking in the product specification if temperature is a concern.

Latex sits between the two. It's cooler than standard memory foam but not as breathable as a pure spring mattress. Combination mattresses, with a pocket spring base and a memory foam comfort layer, tend to sleep closer to the temperature of a spring mattress than a full foam one, since most of the mattress body allows air circulation and only the top layer is foam.

Should I buy a mattress and bed frame at the same time?

It's not essential, but buying both together is often the more practical decision for a few reasons.

A new mattress on an old, worn base may not perform as well as it should. If the base is uneven, sagging, or no longer provides a flat support surface, it affects how the mattress sits and can accelerate wear. Conversely, a good new bed frame with an old mattress doesn't deliver what the frame is capable of, and you'll likely be replacing the mattress shortly anyway. Buying both at the same time removes that problem.

There's also a practical logistics benefit: one delivery, one setup, one point at which the bedroom is disrupted. And if you're using finance, combining a frame and mattress into a single purchase gives you more flexibility in how you spread the cost. If you're replacing both but not sure where to start, taking a look at the beds collection alongside the mattresses here is a reasonable approach.

How does delivery work, and can I see mattresses in person first?

We deliver nationally across the UK. Once your order is placed you'll receive a confirmation, and we'll be in touch closer to the time to arrange a delivery date that suits you. Mattresses are delivered in 7 to 14 days. They arrive in protective packaging and the delivery team will bring them into your home. If there's anything about your property worth flagging in advance, such as a narrow staircase or restricted parking, let us know when you order so the delivery team can prepare.

If you'd prefer to see mattresses in person before committing, our Manchester showroom carries a selection and you're welcome to come in without any obligation. For something you'll be sleeping on every night, it's often worth making the trip. Give us a call beforehand to check what's currently on the showroom floor.