Hi there
Wondered if you could help. I know that wood is a nightmare and wondered if tiling directly onto a butcher's block using a good primer, flexi adhesive and admix/flexi grout is sufficient or whether another substrate - plywood?/roof felt/metal lath? has to be put ontop of the wood to tile onto?
Thanks very much for your help.

Hi, tiling directly on to wood is problematic because it swells and contracts with the slightest moisture or change in humidity. Have a read through the link below for a little bit more info, it is about wooden floors but the principle is the same.

Plywood floors...

Is this a bench? How big is the area? Would it be possible to fix a cement board over the top before tiling? This would give a really good surface to tile onto.

Cement board was my first thought, but I wasn't sure if they were suitable for food preparation areas, turns out they are! Here's a link HardieBacker 250 Cement Board | James Hardie United Kingdom

Do you know what tiles you are thinking about using? I would also recommend an epoxy grout.

What are you intending to use the tiled block for..?

As Dave says, what are you going to use it for? I have visions of a meat cleaver hitting it quite hard in which case tiling it wouldn't be the best idea!

is it a used butchers block? or brand new

if its a used one you may have to self level it 1st to get rid of the dip in the middle

Am I right in thinking that the tiled surface will blunt knives?