Luxury bedding is typically defined by three things: high-quality cotton fibres, a carefully balanced thread count, and a weave that creates both softness and breathability. Many luxury bedding brands favour Egyptian cotton sateen with a thread count around 300–500, which produces a smooth feel, elegant drape and long-lasting durability.
At Hampton and Astley, our bedding is crafted using 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sateen, designed to deliver the refined feel associated with luxury hotel bedding while maintaining balanced breathability for year-round comfort.
If you're looking to upgrade your bedroom, explore our luxury bedding sets.
Key features of Hampton and Astley bedding:
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500 thread count Egyptian cotton sateen
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Single-ply yarns for softness and durability
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OEKO-TEX certified fabric
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Award-winning bedding recognised in leading UK buying guides
Why our bedding is so highly rated
Editors consistently feature Hampton and Astley in ‘best bedding’ round-ups for its luxurious design, quality fabric and impressive durability.
Below we debunk some of the myths about Egyptian cotton bedding and explain exactly what makes ours so exceptional, from the finest long-staple Egyptian cotton to expert craftsmanship and reassuring OEKO-TEX certification.
As featured in Good Housekeeping, GQ, Expert Reviews, The Independent, The Telegraph, Cosmopolitan, Ideal Home, Woman & Home, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour and the Evening Standard.
What makes it the best bedding?
Hampton and Astley’s founder Caroline Brooks has the inside story…
Long-staple Egyptian cotton
500 thread count sateen
Sateen weave uses a 'three-threads-over, one-thread-under' pattern that puts more thread surface on one side of the fabric, giving it a silky feel, subtle sheen and beautiful drape.
A higher thread count doesn’t always mean a better quality fabric.
Some alternative brands we’ve tried have a higher thread count than ours, but feel much thinner. Some you can even see your hand through. So what’s the difference?
Single-ply yarn
Sateen vs percale
We craft all our bedding in a sateen weave for a silky, gently lustrous finish with year-round comfort. Use this side-by-side to see how sateen stacks up against percale:
| Weave | Feel & look | Breathability & warmth | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sateen (our bedding) | Smooth, gently lustrous; elegant drape | Cosy yet breathable all year-round | Hotel-style polish; silky hand feel |
| Percale | Crisp, matte; “cool-sheet” snap | Airier-cool, especially in hot summers | Those who prefer crispness over silkiness |
Finishing touches
- The delicate straight piping along the edges of our bedding demonstrates the quality of the craftsmanship that goes into its creation.
- The fabric is given an anti-crease treatment that helps create its uniquely silky-soft look and feel that drapes beautifully, with the minimum of ironing.
- Our bedding is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it's been created in a way that guarantees it's free from harmful chemicals or other toxic substances. So there’s absolutely no chemical smell when you unwrap it.
Sustainable manufacturing
- The factories we use are committed to sustainable development and to reducing impact on the local environment.
- They use purely renewable energy, using rooftop solar technology to generate the power they need. So they’re not dependent on the local electricity supply and have their own in-house production plants.
- Our manufacturing partners are certified fair trade suppliers (including Fair Trade USA), members of the Forest Stewardship Council and also the Better Cotton Initiative. BCI is a global not-for-profit organisation and the largest cotton sustainability programme in the world.
'Best bedding in the UK'
Hampton and Astley consistently wins awards for its bedding, with a whole host of 'best bedding' accolades from leading publishers that include:
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Good Housekeeping Institute Approved - Best bed sheets 2026 and Best Egyptian cotton bedding 2026
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The Independent - Best crease-resistant bedding 2026
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Woman & Home - Best hotel-style bedding 2026
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Glamour - Best hotel-style bedding 2026
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Cosmopolitan - Best luxury bedding 2025
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GQ - Best Egyptian cotton bedding 2025
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London Evening Standard - Best bedding set 2025
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T3 - Best Egyptian cotton bedding 2025
- Ideal Home - Best cotton sheets 2025
Care: how to keep that luxe finish
Wash bedding on its own on a cool or warm cycle, then line-dry to preserve fibres and colour. If you use a tumble dryer, choose low heat and a low tumble cycle, then iron inside out.
FAQs
Why 500TC?
We chose 500TC Egyptian cotton sateen because it delivers the smoothness and drape our customers prefer. It’s breathable, durable and luxurious without feeling heavy.
Do you use pure Egyptian cotton?
Yes, our bedding is woven from only the finest long‑staple Egyptian cotton, spun as a single ply for exceptional softness and longevity.
Is sateen hot?
Sateen is breathable cotton. Sleeping temperature is influenced by duvet tog, room ventilation and mattress protector materials. Choose lighter tog and natural fillings if you run warm.
Is it safe and certified?
Our bedding is OEKO‑TEX certified to be free of harmful substances and our partners operate with recognised sustainability standards.
