British Oak Bark Bridle Leather — traditionally oak-bark tanned by J. & F. J. Baker in Devon
Hand polished and lacquered solid brass buckle
Handmade in England
British Oak Bark Bridle Leather
Traditional oak-bark bridle leather from J. & F. J. Baker, made in Devon using a slow tanning process refined over generations. Each hide spends more than a year in production, producing dense, hardwearing leather with exceptional strength and character.
Oak-bark tanned
Over a year in production
Hardwearing
High tensile strength
Finish: Pit Tanned, hand waxed
Material origin: England
Our classic Chester, this time in remarkable English oak bark bridle leather
The leather for this collection is sourced from the prestigious J & FJ Baker, the only oak bark tannery remaining in the UK. Each local hide is pit-tanned for over 14 months using sustainable resources and a completely natural process. You can see a fantastic video of the tannery process on their site.
The leather itself is a substantial, heavy 5mm thick hide, usually used by harness and bridle makers. This is the kind of belt that will be passed down for generations.
Many of our pieces are handmade to order in our Shropshire workshop.
In-stock items: usually dispatched within 1–2 working days. Made-to-order items: usually dispatched within 7–10 working days. Made-to-order bags: approximately 4 weeks, increasing to around 6 weeks during May–August and November–December.
Personalisation does not usually add to the lead time, but may occasionally add up to one working day.
Once dispatched, UK delivery usually takes 1–3 working days via tracked Royal Mail.
If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering and we’ll confirm what’s possible.
We offer returns and exchanges within 90 days of receiving your order, provided items are unused, in their original condition and returned with any tags attached.
Personalised, bespoke and significantly altered items cannot be returned or exchanged unless faulty.
Sale items are not eligible for return or exchange, although in exceptional circumstances we may offer store credit.
UK customers can use our free returns and exchanges service once per order. Further returns or exchanges are at the customer’s cost.
Items purchased at events and international orders can be exchanged, but return postage must be paid by the customer.
During busy periods, exchanges may take 2–3 weeks to process.
A closer look at Chester - English Oak Bark Bridle Leather
This Chester keeps the classic shape but changes the leather. English oak-bark bridle hide gives the familiar 40mm design a more substantial character.
How to wear it
Made for your wardrobe
Pair the rich leather and simple buckle with denim or sturdy country tailoring.
Colours and finishes
See the details side by side
Chester brown oak-bark bridle leather belt, front viewChester tan oak-bark bridle leather belt, front viewChester dark oak-bark bridle leather belt, front view
From the workshop
The details that make it
The leather comes from J. & F.J. Baker, where local hides are pit-tanned with oak bark for more than 14 months. The heavy bridle hide is traditionally used by harness and bridle makers.
Leather being cut in the M&G workshop.
From our community
Chester - English Oak Bark Bridle Leather in real life
Photo shared by Tom W.Photo shared by Peter C.
Jennifer B.
Fabulous belt given to my son.
Tom W.
Really nice to have a good brown belt after ages using a cheap one that was falling apart. I've had the Chester in black for years so knew it would be good quality and wasn't disappointed.
Peter C.
This is a superb addition to my wardrobe; a great belt, the best I have ever had and is an ideal replacement for my much-used and loved belt that I bought some years ago in Arizona.
I am sure that this will be used and loved as much. It is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from a great company.
Many thanks
Peter
Gavin P.
Chris and Hayley were brilliant. I am normally a die-hard RM Williams fan so for me to consider another belt maker, the product would have to be very special. I ordered a Chester Oak Bark belt, and the craftsmanship of this was exceptional. I got to select the leather hide, which comes from one of the oldest tanners in the UK. The attention to detail is truly impressive, and I couldn’t be happier with the result, it’s a piece to be proud of that will last many many years to come - highly recommended.
Ali E.
Beautifully made, stylish belt that should last a lifetime - The perfect gift for my husband.
Being able to learn more about where and how the leather is tanned was fascinating and made this purchase feel extra special.
Brilliant and speedy customer service, well packaged and presented. I'm a very happy customer.
Vivienne B.
Ordered this belt requested by my son in law. Amazing quality and style. I will get one for my husband and son.
Tim G.
Great quality and service thank you
Anna B.
Living a new life in Bangkok!!!
Davina W.
Like the belt but it took far too long to arrive (over 5 weeks) and then had to chase
Anna Unett
Fantastic quality belt and service.
David Mackman
Incredible belts simple well made British product
Jeannette Williams
So happy with this belt - It was a gift for fathers day and i have to say he was delighted!!
Thanks again for such a lovely belt, service and quality is amazing !!
Ben Midgley
Strongly recommend, obvious quality and great look.
Anjan Ghosh
I have plenty of belts. But was compelled to buy this one and feel so happy that I did. This belt is a work of art - beautiful to look at and wears beautifully too. Will make your cool jeans oh so much more cooler. Buy it!!
James Richardson
Great quality
Brian Sharp
AN EXCELLENT BELT 0F THE VERY BEST QUALITY
Jon Todd
quick - quality - smells very leatherish and it keeps my jeans up
Stuart Crooks
Best belts ever
Annabell Gast
Bought it as a gift. Very well made and beautiful
Oliver Parish
After adjusting the sizing, I\'m delighted with its look and fit. looking to buy another if you can bring my desires into reality.
David Ball
Great service - Bought the belt for my uncles 60th, had a hand written note thanking me for being a return customer and the quality again was superb! Great services and and great look!
Mark O’Kelly
The title says it all. Stunning, just stunning. Wish i needed more belts.
Geoff Barrow
From order to delivery, communication was excellent - friendly and professional. The prouduct itself was beautifully packaged, and is of superb qulaity.
Amy Buckley-Roberts
I purchased the belt as a birthday gift, upon ordering I realised I hadnt picked the right size but the issue was sorted straight away and so I cant fault the customer service. The item was beautifully packaged and the belt itself was stunning. My partner was so pleased with it, the personalisation was an added touch which made it extra special, its a quality belt which feels made to last. We will now continue to be Mackenzie & George customers!
Roma Corkett
All I can say is excellent service and the most gorgeous exceptional quality belt. Thank you. Will definitely order one for myself.
Olivia Sloan
Will definitely buy through your company again, the item size I wanted was out of stock but they made one specially, so if something is out of sock give them a message and see if they can help. I\'m sure my boyfriend will absolutely love this gift, quality is fantastic!
Mr Ashley Burke
I keep coming back.When you find quality, there\'s no need to look elsewhere. Great service.
David Birks
I bought two beautiful bridle leather belts on holiday in France. I lost one and have been searching for years for a replacement. Via a rather circuitous route I discovered the Mackenzie and George range. In short this belt far exceeds the quality, style, colour and finish of delightful belt I lost (comparing to the one I still have). Great service and communications from Mackenzie and George, really very quick delivery perfect.
Charlotte Dinnis
Brilliant customer service and a fantastic product with prompt delivery!
craig nolan
We LOVED em. Better than I thought they would be. Excellent quality and the came is the nicest packaging. They smell like the real thing.
John Gallagher
Quality and service 5 star plus
Nicki Bainbridge
I have been looking for a good quality leather belt for some time now.. and here it is. Fabulous thank you so much M & G!
Rivka Gains
Bought as a gift and was really glad I bought this. I have been looking for a decent leather belt for years. There is nothing on the high street of a similar quality. It came really well packaged and it smelt and felt really good. The recipient loved it and looks forward to using it for years. I would definitely buy another belt from yourselves.
Karl Calton
I bought this belt for my sons 23rd birthday an it\'s a big hit ! They even put his initials on it as a personal touch. Brilliant !!
Really nice to have a good brown belt after ages using a cheap one that was falling apart. I've had the Chester in black for years so knew it would be good quality and wasn't disappointed.
This is a superb addition to my wardrobe; a great belt, the best I have ever had and is an ideal replacement for my much-used and loved belt that I bought some years ago in Arizona.
I am sure that this will be used and loved as much. It is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from a great company.
Many thanks
Peter
I required my original black leather gunbelt to be replaced ith an exact copy, but utilising the existing buckle after being chewed by a puppy.
The initial replacement was disappointing as it appeared to be a dress style belt. However, once returned and modifications agreed I now have a replacement gunbelt that almost exactly matches the original. I'm very pleased with it and the craftsmanship is superb. Thank you to the staff at Mackenzie and George for their hard work.
Chris and Hayley were brilliant. I am normally a die-hard RM Williams fan so for me to consider another belt maker, the product would have to be very special. I ordered a Chester Oak Bark belt, and the craftsmanship of this was exceptional. I got to select the leather hide, which comes from one of the oldest tanners in the UK. The attention to detail is truly impressive, and I couldn’t be happier with the result, it’s a piece to be proud of that will last many many years to come - highly recommended.
Beautifully made, stylish belt that should last a lifetime - The perfect gift for my husband.
Being able to learn more about where and how the leather is tanned was fascinating and made this purchase feel extra special.
Brilliant and speedy customer service, well packaged and presented. I'm a very happy customer.
Excellent level of service: I saw the belt at the M&G's London International Horse Show stand, but they didn't have my size. They took the order, added a small customisation (initials on the inside), and delivered exactly when they said they would. A top quality belt, that's unique to me - very happy!
Store owner replied:
So pleased you're happy with your purchase, however I'm gutted to hear our customer service let you down on this occasion. All orders from the shows were subject to a 3 week production time this summer, as we had unprecedented demand and as a small team there is only so much we can make in a short amount of time. Unfortunately some of the materials I believe were delayed on your order which stretched this estimated time. Im terribly sorry you were not kept better informed during this time - we are training a new customer service person over this period and so some things havent run as they should. Thank you for your feedback as we are now looking at ways to ensure these updates are not missed in the future. Kind regards, Melanie
Without doubt the best belts. I know this because my two boys steal every one I buy.
So happy with this belt - It was a gift for fathers day and i have to say he was delighted!!
Thanks again for such a lovely belt, service and quality is amazing !!
I have plenty of belts. But was compelled to buy this one and feel so happy that I did. This belt is a work of art - beautiful to look at and wears beautifully too. Will make your cool jeans oh so much more cooler. Buy it!!
Great service - Bought the belt for my uncles 60th, had a hand written note thanking me for being a return customer and the quality again was superb! Great services and and great look!
From order to delivery, communication was excellent - friendly and professional. The prouduct itself was beautifully packaged, and is of superb qulaity.
I purchased the belt as a birthday gift, upon ordering I realised I hadnt picked the right size but the issue was sorted straight away and so I cant fault the customer service. The item was beautifully packaged and the belt itself was stunning. My partner was so pleased with it, the personalisation was an added touch which made it extra special, its a quality belt which feels made to last. We will now continue to be Mackenzie & George customers!
Will definitely buy through your company again, the item size I wanted was out of stock but they made one specially, so if something is out of sock give them a message and see if they can help. I\'m sure my boyfriend will absolutely love this gift, quality is fantastic!
I bought two beautiful bridle leather belts on holiday in France. I lost one and have been searching for years for a replacement. Via a rather circuitous route I discovered the Mackenzie and George range. In short this belt far exceeds the quality, style, colour and finish of delightful belt I lost (comparing to the one I still have). Great service and communications from Mackenzie and George, really very quick delivery perfect.
Bought as a gift and was really glad I bought this. I have been looking for a decent leather belt for years. There is nothing on the high street of a similar quality. It came really well packaged and it smelt and felt really good. The recipient loved it and looks forward to using it for years. I would definitely buy another belt from yourselves.
