Banner image

The Golden age of British Bathrooms

The great British tap makers of the past, Bolding, Crapper, Jennings and others
built a reputation for fittings that were beautifully engineered, hand-finished, and made to endure.

Their taps were found in grand houses, hotels, and public buildings across the country and many survive in use to this day.

Having spent my career in this world of craftsmanship, I am now producing my own taps made in Britain with the same respect for quality and tradition. My work carries forward their legacy.
Taps designed to stand the test of time, just as theirs have done for over a century.”

Bolding & Sons

Founded in London in the 19th century, Bolding & Sons became one of Britain’s most prestigious tap makers. They were renowned for producing high-quality brass taps, mixers, and bathroom fittings for both domestic and commercial clients. Their products were supplied to stately homes, luxury hotels, and prominent public buildings.

Bolding & Sons combined traditional hand-crafting methods with industrial precision, ensuring each tap was both durable and elegant. They were particularly known for:

• Finely machined spindles for smooth operation
• Classic Victorian and Edwardian designs
• Polished finishes

Their fittings are still sought after by collectors and restorers of period properties, a testament to their enduring quality.

Thomas Crapper

Thomas Crapper (1836–1910) was a key figure in the popularisation of modern sanitation. While he did not invent the toilet, he revolutionised plumbing by designing reliable flush mechanisms and high-quality brass fittings.

Crapper held several patents for bathroom fittings, including:

• Improvements to siphon-based flush toilets
• High-quality taps and mixers with robust internal valves
• Brassware combining function and style

His showrooms in London offered customers an early glimpse of luxurious and practical bathroom design. Today, his name is synonymous with quality British plumbing craftsmanship.

George Jennings

George Jennings (1810–1882) gained fame for his contribution to public sanitation. At the 1851 Great Exhibition in London, he unveiled the first public flush toilets, marking a turning point in hygiene standards.

Jennings’ company went on to manufacture taps, cisterns, and fittings that were:

• Built for durability in high-traffic environments
• Stylish and functional, blending practicality with aesthetics
• Influential in setting standards for British sanitary engineering

His work ensured that taps and plumbing became both reliable and visually appealing, shaping public and private bathrooms for decades.

The British Craftsmanship Legacy

British tap making is defined by a culture of precision, durability, and design excellence:

• Materials: Solid brass and high-quality metals
• Engineering: Smooth, precise operation
• Finishing: Hand-polished for visual elegance
• Indices: Ceramic markers for hot and cold water

These practices ensured taps were not just functional but also objects of beauty. Many of these taps are still in use today, proving their lasting quality.

Continuing the Tradition

Today, workshops like R F Phillips & Co continue this legacy. By combining traditional casting, machining, and finishing techniques with contemporary design sensibilities, every tap produced carries forward over a century of British craftsmanship.