William Stokes founded the firm in 1968 (following a long association with S W Wolsey in Buckingham Gate, London SW1) at Cold Overton Hall, near Oakham in Rutland.

After forming a partnership with Peter Bontoft, the business moved to the Cotswolds in 1979 and is now based at The Cloisters in Dollar Street, Cirencester. This is a 16th-century, largely lath and plaster building in the heart of an ancient Roman town, where the early oak furniture is in its natural setting.

After exhibiting for over twenty years at the Harrogate, Bath and Grosvenor House Antiques Fairs, the firm now has an in-house exhibition in October each year but, otherwise, is open to customers on a daily basis.

Early oak furniture represents the finest furniture made in England from the earliest times up to about 1700, but mainly spanning the reigns of Henry VII to William and Mary.

William H Stokes is a member of The British Antique Dealers’ Association Limited and The Cotswolds Antique Dealers’ Association Limited.