Great British Jigsaws

09/04/2026

Amazing result for Hercule!

WE’VE DONE IT!!

We’ve turned some silly pet portraits and a hopeful dream of raising £299 for charity, into £500,000 raised for StreetVet and Turning Tides.

HALF. A MILLION. Pounds!?!

When I posted my very first portrait of Narla out to my mates on Facebook back in 2020, it was just in the hope that it might make a couple of people smile. Nothing more than that.

But then you guys came along, and you ‘got’ what this was all about.

You came with your humour, and your warmth, and your kindness. And you’ve supported something that has become so much more than I could have ever imagined.

But, above all, some of you have displayed huge amounts of generosity towards these amazing charities who carry out such incredible work and support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Around 30,000 of you have donated to the project over the course of the last six years, and it’s YOU guys who have made this milestone a reality.

I’ve said many times over that ‘thank you’ never really feels like enough, but it is all I’ve got.

I just hope that you know how sincere and genuine this ‘thank you’ is, because your support is so overwhelming and something I that I will always be humbled by.

Life with this project isn’t always easy, and the last six years have been a rollercoaster for me. We haven’t raised this money just from simply drawing portraits - I’ve chucked myself out of planes, climbed mountains, tattooed myself, quit my job, shaved my hair, taken part in 24 hour drawing events, abseiled down buildings, organised countless fundraisers, and even walked 500 miles to get us here.

And the problem with rollercoasters is that you rarely get a chance to stop and enjoy the view, or think about what’s coming around the next corner.

I’ve been taking some time out over the last week to do just that, but I couldn’t let this milestone pass unannounced or without thanking YOU.

Much love

Hercule x

27/03/2026

Another bit of jigsaw trivia for you!

Did you know...? During the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, UK jigsaw sales rose significantly by 38%, with sales totalling an estimated £100 million! Around 15 million puzzles were sold that year, with 1,000-piece sets being particularly popular!

If you're looking for an activity to bring the whole family together this Easter, look no further than our fantastic collection of British jigsaws, featuring fabulous UK artists.

Take a look at our collection: https://gbjigsaws.co.uk/collections/puzzlescapes

20/03/2026

Proud to be supplying our lovely independent local toy shop with our beautiful jigsaws!

20/03/2026

It's ... Did you know...?

The largest jigsaw puzzle ever made (by piece count) consists of 551,232 pieces, completed by students in Vietnam in 2011. Measuring roughly 49 by 76 feet, it depicted a lotus flower and holds the official Guinness World Record!

If you're looking for the perfect Easter activity, why not check out our range of jigsaws? Featuring British artists such as , there's plenty to choose from that the whole family can enjoy!

Visit https://gbjigsaws.co.uk/collections to see our collections!

*Image courtesy of Guinness World Records

09/03/2026

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, so we have celebrated the amazing women who are such a big part of our team.
At The Calendar Company and Great British Jigsaws (GB Jigsaws Ltd) over half of our staff are women — bringing creativity, care, and dedication to everything we make.

From the first design idea to the finished product, whether over the phones or wielding a spanner - their talent helps turn simple moments into the puzzles and calendars our customers enjoy every day.
We’re proud to work alongside such inspiring women and grateful for everything they bring to our team.

09/03/2026

Stumped at what to buy your Mum for Mother's Day? At Great British Jigsaws we've got a fantastic range of premium jigsaw puzzles, featuring designs by UK artists such as Emma Joustra Portraits, to suit all budgets!

Take a look at: https://gbjigsaws.co.uk/

This coronation special edition jigsaw was created by artist Emma Joustra and has been manufactured by Great British Jigsaws. A jigsaw fit for a King!

08/03/2026

Here is the new design from our Emma Joustra Portraits collection. This will be available in our shop, Emma’s shop and also stocked in The Yorkshire Jigsaw Store this week.

If are your thing then this is just the puzzle for you.

29/01/2026

we are offering £5.00 off all of our jigsaw puzzle range.

Tower Bridge from our PuzzlEscapes range: https://gbjigsaws.co.uk/products/tower-bridge-in-london-1000-piece-jigsaw-puzzle

Use code: National_Puzzle_Day_2026

Dusk at the Tower Bridge in London, this stunning picture was taken by photographer Pawel Pajor. Made in Staffordshire in the UK by Great British Jigsaws Printed on a beautiful silk paper and bonded to premium 1.90mm blue puzzle board. The jigsaw is presented in a high quality luxury box with an ant...

29/01/2026

To celebrate we are offering £5.00 off all of our jigsaw puzzle range.

Here is the best selling jigsaw from our PuzzlEscapes range:

Use code: National_Puzzle_Day_2026

This amazing night-time picture of the York Shambles was taken by local professional photographer Laurie Smithes. He work and other products including more Yorkshire based jigsaws can be found at North Yorkshire Gallery in Whitby. Made in Staffordshire in the UK by Great British Jigsaws Printed on a...

19/12/2025

Jigsaw puzzles are more than just a fun family pastime – they serve as a powerful cognitive tool that benefits and 'exercises' the brain! By engaging both the logical left hemisphere and the creative right hemisphere, puzzles provide a "whole-brain" workout!

In children, this activity is vital for developing executive function and fine motor skills. By mentally manipulating shapes and colours, kids enhance their visual-spatial reasoning and build emotional resilience through the persistence required to solve a complex task.

In older adults, particularly those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, jigsaw puzzles offer therapeutic "brain aerobics." Research suggests that mentally stimulating activities can help delay the onset of symptoms and slow cognitive decline.

So exercise your brain with a jigsaw puzzle - we have a fantastic range on our website, including our latest Christmas Town by talented artist, Emma Joustra!

https://gbjigsaws.co.uk/products/christmas-town-1000-piece-jigsaw-puzzle

15/12/2025

We all love a jigsaw at Christmas, but did you know the humble jigsaw puzzle was created by John Spilsbury, a London mapmaker, around 1760? He used them as an educational tool to teach geography by cutting maps into wooden pieces!

Originally known as ‘dissections,’ they were later called ‘jigsaws’ as fretsaws (jigsaws) were used to cut them up!

Will you be doing a jigsaw this Christmas? We’ve got a fantastic range of puzzles to choose from for all the family! Take a look at our website: www.gbjigsaws.co.uk.