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Emma Bridgewater mug handles keep dropping off!

242 replies

Ilovecleaning · 27/03/2025 16:20

Earlier posts on the same subject are a bit old now.
I love EB mugs and have bought 14/15 but I’m now down to about 7. The handles simply drop off. At £25 each I think this is ridiculous.
I emailed EB pointing out the weakness, making it clear I was not seeking recompense but telling them I am no longer collecting them.

I received a reply explaining their quality control. Not much help.
if anyone else has had the same experience please contribute to the thread and I shall advise EB to have a look at your responses.
Many thanks.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
Rosesanddaffs · 04/08/2025 20:35

@Calliopespa I’ve contacted them directly and managed to get a refund but I will not buy anything from them again.

BiscuitTheft · 09/11/2025 19:10

ANOTHER sodding casualty this week. No injuries, thankfully.

Emma Bridgewater mug handles keep dropping off!
Emma Bridgewater mug handles keep dropping off!
SummerDaysOnTheWay · 09/11/2025 20:22

She’s a rip off of Brixton Pottery - buy that instead it’s much classier.

Interested in this thread?

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Cazhhoyle · 14/01/2026 23:41

Half of my mugs' handles have broken off. Many were wedding presents and are no longer available to replace. I have bought more but yes, more handles have broken off them too. I have about 10 with no handle. Many are also very crazed

Volpini · 15/01/2026 06:34

This is so odd. I’ve about 20 of her mugs. Never had this happen with any of them - and no glaze crackling on any of them either. So so odd

Calliopespa · 15/01/2026 09:00

Volpini · 15/01/2026 06:34

This is so odd. I’ve about 20 of her mugs. Never had this happen with any of them - and no glaze crackling on any of them either. So so odd

It is clearly something in the way some people are handling them. Not saying that is acceptable either, but, like you, I have had no handle issues with my many EB mugs.

I don't hang mine by the handle, and, since reading this thread, don't stack on top of each other in a drawer in case downward pressure on the handle is the issue.

I have had some crazing issues - especially on plates and along the bottom internal edge of the mugs - and do put them in the dishwasher because, frankly, if they can't go in there, then for me they become decorative only and it isn't sufficiently fine china to spend money on as an objet d'art or special occasions table setting!

It would be super helpful if Bridgewater chimed in to let us know what we are doing wrong, as some buyers seem to have practices that are exacerbating the problems.

.

Shinyandnew1 · 15/01/2026 09:05

I don't hang them or stack them in the cupboard and I have lost so many handles!

lolly792 · 15/01/2026 09:31

I just store mine (not stacked) right way up in a cupboard and have had the handles break unexpectedly. EB seriously need to acknowledge the issue. I won’t use them any more as I don’t want to risk scalding myself.

Volpini · 15/01/2026 12:30

Calliopespa · 15/01/2026 09:00

It is clearly something in the way some people are handling them. Not saying that is acceptable either, but, like you, I have had no handle issues with my many EB mugs.

I don't hang mine by the handle, and, since reading this thread, don't stack on top of each other in a drawer in case downward pressure on the handle is the issue.

I have had some crazing issues - especially on plates and along the bottom internal edge of the mugs - and do put them in the dishwasher because, frankly, if they can't go in there, then for me they become decorative only and it isn't sufficiently fine china to spend money on as an objet d'art or special occasions table setting!

It would be super helpful if Bridgewater chimed in to let us know what we are doing wrong, as some buyers seem to have practices that are exacerbating the problems.

.

Yeah. I dishwash mine too so it can’t be that…
Ive found mine to be bombproof - the only issues I’ve had are when my child has dropped them on the stone kitchen floor…!
Im not saying this isn’t an issue for some people - it clearly is - I’m just saying that I’ve had no issues. Some of my mugs are really old. Some are a few years old and some are quite recent.

Calliopespa · 15/01/2026 12:32

Volpini · 15/01/2026 12:30

Yeah. I dishwash mine too so it can’t be that…
Ive found mine to be bombproof - the only issues I’ve had are when my child has dropped them on the stone kitchen floor…!
Im not saying this isn’t an issue for some people - it clearly is - I’m just saying that I’ve had no issues. Some of my mugs are really old. Some are a few years old and some are quite recent.

I have a mix too.

No handles off here, but quite a bit of crazing. I use a 65 degree wash cycle for them. Maybe too hot?

Sartre · 15/01/2026 12:43

I had one years ago, a Halloween one and I adored it but it only lasted about a year before it had big chips in it and I was gutted. When you pay so much, you expect better quality. My Ikea mugs have lasted years in comparison.

Calliopespa · 15/01/2026 12:46

Sartre · 15/01/2026 12:43

I had one years ago, a Halloween one and I adored it but it only lasted about a year before it had big chips in it and I was gutted. When you pay so much, you expect better quality. My Ikea mugs have lasted years in comparison.

My parents had a Sainsburys thing that got left in the garden by builders, knocked off the wall they were building, buried and re-emerged many frosts later. Still no crazing or broken handle! Think it cost about £1.50.

Volpini · 15/01/2026 13:17

Sartre · 15/01/2026 12:43

I had one years ago, a Halloween one and I adored it but it only lasted about a year before it had big chips in it and I was gutted. When you pay so much, you expect better quality. My Ikea mugs have lasted years in comparison.

I’d be gutted too. I bought a whole dinner service from John Lewis and that all chipped so I absolutely know how infuriating this is. None of my EB stuff has done this - have you spoken to customer services? I wonder whether they had a cheaper batch of clay for a long period of time?

DeanElderberry · 15/01/2026 16:06

Mine all lost handles, some of the longest survivors also got crazed, Clearly very shoddily made, which is a shame since they are expensive as well as pretty.

I have lots of older earthenware constantly in use, in and out of the same dishwasher, indestructible unless I drop them. So I've written Bridgewater stuff off as a scam with clever publicity, and won't waste any more money on it.

Calliopespa · 15/01/2026 16:07

DeanElderberry · 15/01/2026 16:06

Mine all lost handles, some of the longest survivors also got crazed, Clearly very shoddily made, which is a shame since they are expensive as well as pretty.

I have lots of older earthenware constantly in use, in and out of the same dishwasher, indestructible unless I drop them. So I've written Bridgewater stuff off as a scam with clever publicity, and won't waste any more money on it.

Burleigh is good.

muddyford · 15/01/2026 17:18

I've got one about thirty years old, with just a chip. I suspect they were better made then - has EB moved manufacture away from the UK?

ChiaraRimini · 13/02/2026 20:39

Really disappointed that EB haven’t given a satisfactory answer to this. I’m now down to 2 of 18 mugs I’ve bought over the years and the vast majority of the lost ones are due to handles falling off spontaneously. There’s been no special care instructions ( like don’t put them in the dishwasher, hang on mug racks (!) or store right side up (!!)
Ive got loads of cheapo mugs that have lasted longer from elsewhere. Just really disappointed as I love the designs, and am genuinely sad to have lost so many. Not buying any more EB now.

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