An optical workstation comprising an optical breadboard (24) supported by a frame (32), the frame comprising a plurality of upstanding legs (20) interconnected by laterally extending cross-beams (22, 23), the cross-beams defining a space (40) into which the optical breadboard is received and laterally enclosed. By laterally enclosing the optical breadboard with the cross-beam frame elements, side protection for the optical breadboard is provided, thus protecting it from lateral impacts against which conventional damping mounts are not effective. In addition, since the cross-beams are part of the frame structure, they provide a stable and rigid platform for mounting optical and other components at the very edge of the workstation outside the optical breadboard area. Anchor points (28) in the cross-beams are provided for this purpose. Incorporation of the cross-beams into the frame structure also provides an enhanced level of structural rigidity which allows the frame to be made of aluminium rather than steel to provide a much lighter, more manoeuvrable product.