Milk Bottles
Origin Story (circa early 1990s)
While hiking in the Welsh Brecon Beacons, Steve spotted a half-pint milk bottle from a defunct dairy, igniting a lifelong passion.
He continued collecting discarded bottles found in farms, cupboards, under floorboards—especially those uncovered by electricians.
Collection Growth & Museum Setup
Over 30+ years, Steve amassed over 23,000 bottles, weighing around 16 tonnes of glass.
He built and continuously expanded a Milk Bottle Museum in a converted shed/workshop in his Malvern garden.
His collection spans from Victorian-era bottles (1850s–1880s) through the 1990s, with rare items like 1850 Grimwades patent milk powder jars and 1970s “Big ‘Un” gallon bottles.
Collector’s Insights & Highlights
Steve, once a cattle exporter, often travels across the UK—and even overseas—to hunt down rare bottles, sourcing items globally.
He's built personal networks: electricians, farmers, fellow collectors, many of whom tip him off to hidden treasures.
Zoe Newton “Drinka Pinta Milka Day” promotional bottle from the 1950s.
“Penny Black” Matthews Dairy bottle, a prized rarity.
Regional rarities, like Angus (Scotland), North Wales, North Ayrshire, and Keighley bottles, prompting targeted collecting appeals.
Community Engagement & Recognition
His museum is free to visit and often hosts open weekends, such as in Malvern in 2005.
He donates and rehomes bottles to charities (e.g., Samaritans, RNLI, air ambulance) .
National visibility: featured on BBC’s Bargain Hunt (Dec 2023) and included in the “Dull Men of Great Britain” calendar.
What Drives Steve
A passion for preserving local dairy heritage, believing every bottle tells a story—from small village dairies to industrial milkmen.
His scope includes cardboard bottle caps, used until the 1950s, deepening the narrative.
Despite disliking milk (“too baby-foody”), he’s devoted: “I love glass and meeting dairy people” .
Legacy & What's Next
Ongoing appeals target regions missing from his collection—like Ireland, Scotland’s Angus, North Wales, Ayrshire, Herefordshire.
Dream: evolve his shed into a national glass milk bottle museum.
Steve remains hands-on: traveling, speaking at groups, and continuing to uncover dairy history bottle by bottle.
In essence: What began as a chance find on a walk has blossomed into perhaps the world’s largest curated milk bottle collection, preserving over a century of dairy culture through 23,000+ glass relics. If you have an old milk bottle (or cardboard cap), Steve is always eager to add another piece of history.
