History & Heritage

Founded in the heart of London over a century ago, Cole & Mason has been a pioneer in seasoning innovation. From our first wooden mill to today’s precision-engineered designs, we remain committed to helping every cook bring out the best in every meal.
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A Century of Design, Innovation and Flavour

A busy black-and-white street scene from 1919 in the UK, showing people walking, cycling, and riding in early cars. A Since 1919 graphic with a British flag is centered over the image. A busy black-and-white street scene from 1919 in the UK, showing people walking, cycling, and riding in early cars. A Since 1919 graphic with a British flag is centered over the image.

1919

Our Story Begins

Julian Cowan establishes his family business Cole & Mason in the City of London. Initially founded as a giftware company, Cole & Mason quickly and successfully expanded into general hardware and housewares.

A hand-drawn patent-style illustration of a classic pepper grinder, showing a side view and a cross-section, with labeled dimensions and a vintage stamp in the bottom right corner. A hand-drawn patent-style illustration of a classic pepper grinder, showing a side view and a cross-section, with labeled dimensions and a vintage stamp in the bottom right corner.

1946

The Launch of our First Mill

Julian’s ambition became reality when Cole & Mason launched its first mill; the Capstan mill, hand-turned in Park Green. An instant success under the Peter Piper brand, the design remains virtually unchanged today.

Technical drawing of a pepper grinder, showing front, side, top views, and a sectional cut; labeled “505” with “Innovation: Acrylic Material” written at the bottom. Technical drawing of a pepper grinder, showing front, side, top views, and a sectional cut; labeled “505” with “Innovation: Acrylic Material” written at the bottom.

1975

The World's First Acrylic Mill

Cole & Mason launches the world’s first acrylic mill, the iconic 505. Inspired by acrylic doorknobs seen at a dinner party, the 505 remains a popular, timeless classic and part of our core range today.

A dual-chamber grinder containing salt and black pepper sits on a light-colored table, with a glass of water and a bowl of food blurred in the background. A dual-chamber grinder containing salt and black pepper sits on a light-colored table, with a glass of water and a bowl of food blurred in the background.

1981

Our First 2 in 1 Mill

Always looking to the future, Cole & Mason secures a patent for the innovative Duo mill. This clever design combines a salt and pepper mill in one vessel, offering a stylish and space-saving solution.

A white emblem on a dark green background shows a crowned shield with an E in the center, flanked by two interlocking gears and an abstract cross shape. A white emblem on a dark green background shows a crowned shield with an E in the center, flanked by two interlocking gears and an abstract cross shape.

1986

The Queen’s Award for Export Achievement

Achieving national and international success, Cole & Mason is awarded the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement, having become the UK’s number one brand for salt and pepper mills during the early 1980s.

A stainless steel electric pepper grinder with visible peppercorns, placed on a wooden table. Sliced bread, artichokes, and a bottle of oil are blurred in the background. A stainless steel electric pepper grinder with visible peppercorns, placed on a wooden table. Sliced bread, artichokes, and a bottle of oil are blurred in the background.

2001

Our First Electronic Mill

Keeping up with the times, Cole & Mason launches ts first electronic grinder called “the Manhattan”, which proves to be a successful addition to our ever-growing mill assortment.

Two Cole & Mason grinders tilted diagonally, one filled with salt crystals and the other with black peppercorns, set against a dark background with dramatic bursts of salt and pepper particles. Two Cole & Mason grinders tilted diagonally, one filled with salt crystals and the other with black peppercorns, set against a dark background with dramatic bursts of salt and pepper particles.

2010

A New & Modern Mill Range

2010 saw the launch of our iconic and beloved Derwent mill with a modern design featuring a clear body. This will be the inspiration for the Stadhampton Chilli and Spice mill, launched 12 years later in 2022.

Two shiny silver Cole & Mason salt and pepper mills are placed side by side on a white surface, with the number 100 printed below them in black. The background is softly blurred. Two shiny silver Cole & Mason salt and pepper mills are placed side by side on a white surface, with the number 100 printed below them in black. The background is softly blurred.

2019

A Century of Flavour

Cole & Mason celebrates 100 years with the limited-edition Knightsbridge Centenary Silver gift set. 2019 also marks the launch of Precision+, a new carbon steel mechanism delivering more pepper and flavour with every turn.

Six pepper and salt grinders of varying sizes and colors, including wood, clear acrylic, red, and black, are lined up on a wooden surface against a dark green paneled background. Six pepper and salt grinders of varying sizes and colors, including wood, clear acrylic, red, and black, are lined up on a wooden surface against a dark green paneled background.

2023

The London Collection

Launched in September 2023, the London Collection celebrates Cole & Mason’s century-long seasoning expertise. Inspired by London’s Art Deco and industrial architecture, it honours our heritage while offering a classic yet contemporary design for the future.

Discover our Iconic Product Range

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Salt & Pepper Mills

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A lush basil plant grows in a modern white and gray self-watering pot on a kitchen counter, with fresh fruits and vegetables, including an artichoke and peaches, visible in the background. A lush basil plant grows in a modern white and gray self-watering pot on a kitchen counter, with fresh fruits and vegetables, including an artichoke and peaches, visible in the background.

Herb & Spice Storage

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Three wooden cutting boards of varying sizes stacked on a marble countertop, with a wooden bowl of lemons and a sprig of greenery in the background. Three wooden cutting boards of varying sizes stacked on a marble countertop, with a wooden bowl of lemons and a sprig of greenery in the background.

Kitchen Accessories

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