The front gates at the Lea and Perrins factory.

Our Story

A black and white illustration of the Lea and Perrins factory.

Lea & Perrins' Beginnings

Lea & Perrins first launched in Worcester back in 1837, when local chemists John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins concocted a new condiment. After 18 months, they found it had matured into a delicious sauce. It was so delicious, in fact, that they decided to put it on sale. They never looked back. By the end of the following decade, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce had already gained worldwide fame and was being exported to all the "outposts of the British Empire."

An old Lea and Perrins advertisement.

Iconic Orange

By the end of the century, Lea & Perrins’ iconic orange label had been added to all bottles to ensure they stood out from copycat competitors (the label has hardly changed since). In 1904, Lea & Perrins was granted the Royal Warrant, which it holds to this day. In 1897, the company opened a new factory in Worcester, where it remains in operation, despite being commandeered by the British Army during the Second World War and suffering a factory fire in 1964.

Close up on bottles in the Lea and Perrins factory.

Today

Today, Lea & Perrins’ famous sauce is exported to over 130 countries around the world, where it has become a much-loved staple in kitchens, restaurants, hotels, and bars. It remains as popular today as it has ever been and is still lovingly made in Worcester in much the same way as it was when first sold in 1837. While many have tried to replicate its taste and success, nothing can beat the original, genuine, and truly delicious Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce.