Chapman luggage: All in good time
Every bag at luxury brand Chapman is crafted with painstaking attention to detail and expert skill.

It takes time to create something timeless. So says Chapman, the leather- goods company established in Cumbria in 1984. Time is an element woven into the very fabric of the brand. When buying a Chapman bag, you can be confident that it has been produced using the highest-quality materials and the most expert skill, and, importantly, that it will last a lifetime. Central to Chapman’s ethos is the belief that true quality can only be achieved through meticulous attention to detail and a dedication to artistry.
Everything produced by the company is made only by the most experienced artisans, who work with the finest materials to create some of the best luggage, leads, saddle bags and gun slips in the country. It speaks volumes that Chapman chooses to call its workplace not ‘factory’, but ‘workshop’, in which more than 30 skilled artisans craft individual items with loving attention, each finished product a shining example of British craftsmanship.
Chapman has been creating weekend bags since it opened for business, so it could be said that its latest addition, the Chapman Weekender, has been 30 years in the making. With its clever engineering and meticulous craftsmanship, the bag is as the cornerstone of the collection, embodying everything the brand stands for.
Made from British dyed and bonded cotton canvas, full-grain vegetable-tanned leather and British cast-brass hardware, this is a bag that combines the traditional with the innovative, with a laptop sleeve and shoe bag added to Chapman’s signature combination of canvas and leather.
The Maximalist Briefcase is perfect for busy executives on the go — a portable office, if you like. Utilising British parachute- strength cotton shuttle loom webbing, together with leather and canvas, the Maximalist is a bag big enough to house all of life’s essentials, be that a Filofax and laptop, or the smartest overnight kit.
From town to country and everywhere in between, in practical cotton canvas or opulent fullgrain leather, Chapman has crafted and curated a wide range of bags and accessories combining the practical with the stylish, privileging a design aesthetic that is both unique and timeless.
However, Chapman’s bags and accessories offer another important advantage. Because they are very sturdy, made in Britain (using British materials whenever possible) and as far from ‘fast-fashion’ as they can possibly get, they are quintessentially sustainable.
And, if after years of use, your bag needs some tender loving care, Chapman can take care of that, too, offering free-of -charge repairs for reasonable wear and tear — although it’s very possible that this will provide you with the perfect excuse for an upgrade.
Visit chapmanmade.uk to find out more and use “Countrylife10” at checkout for a 10% discount
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
-
Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 pictures
Plus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
By James Fisher Published
-
Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courts
From Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated
-
Code8: Beauty on Burlington Arcade
Come along Burlington Arcade with Hetty Lintell to visit beauty gurus Code8, and try their new Day To Night Foundation.
By Code8 Published
-
The gift of growing
Entirely built to suit your needs, a bespoke Alitex greenhouse not only helps you nurture flowers and vegetables, but also offers a tranquil retreat from the pressures of daily life.
By Alitex Published
-
The ultimate Canadian train journey
Experience the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies onboard the luxury and top-tier service of Rocky Mountaineer.
By allantaylor Published
-
The Art of Lighting: Four of Britain's top designers share their best tips for choosing lighting
At a recent panel discussion hosted at Vaughan’s London showroom during Focus/24, interior designers Emma Pocock and Sarah Peake, lighting designer Jo Mann of Lighthouse Designs and Richard Smith of Vaughan shared their top 10 tips on choosing lighting.
By Vaughan Published
-
The beauty of bespoke: A journey with Julia Lloyd George
Going bespoke with Julia Lloyd George means getting not just a piece of jewellery, but a lifelong treasure.
By Julia Lloyd George Published
-
Hancocks: Sparkle of genius
Historic jewellery firm Hancocks, now in its new St James’s home, specialises in old-cut diamonds pieces that gleam and turn heads even in low light.
By Hancocks London Published
-
The timeless appeal of Vaughan and the secrets of good lighting to be unpacked by four of Britain's top designers
For more than four decades, Vaughan has combined inspiration from past and present to create beautifully crafted lighting, furniture and textiles that will stand the test of time.
By Vaughan Published
-
The glittering new home of Hancocks London, the jeweller that makes the Victoria Cross
The new home of Hancocks London celebrates the historic brand’s history of making exquisite jewellery and providing the bespoke service that befits them.
By Hancocks London Published