Kitchen eirktops

[Downside]

Help! We are about to have a new kitchen installed but can't decide on worktops. We can't afford granite but dont like laminate. Can anyone suggest anything else?

minerva? no idea on cost

Just had oak put in and it's beautiful (howdens, not that expensive). I know it'll be a bit of a pita but oiling it is a five minute job after 2 hours of clearing crap off it

I really wanted real wood but I'm very clumsy so know I will ruin it!

Wood is hard to ruin if properly finished. It can't chip like laminate or chip your pots like granite. It ages nicely with the little dings and scratches, I'd say it's a robust material actually. Worktops should ideally be finished with hardwax oil then they are waterproof but for some reason many suppliers don't use it, you have to ask, and using cheaper oils is why so many people have problems.
here
If you go for a wood that isn't oak, it shouldn't get the black stains.

What don't you like about laminate? Can you afford the silestone/corian/etc type composite worktops?

Jumping on your thread. How easy is it to change a worktop once fitted? i.e. if I had a cheaper worktop could I change it for something more expensive in a few years time when I have the money? Would this be an issue for things like inbuilt hobs and under mounted sinks?

I've been told you can change worktops quite easily sore. Our kitchen guy is an old friend and knows me well and he really thinks I'll ruin the wood!
I'll have a look at corian and get a price for that. I hadn't because I thought it was the same price as granite