Traditional Showers

A traditional shower turns the most functional part of your bathroom into something with real character. Exposed valves with crosshead handles, rigid riser rails with period detailing, classic bell-shaped shower heads and visible pipework — every element is designed to be seen and appreciated, not hidden behind a wall.

Our range covers complete exposed shower sets, individual valves, fixed and adjustable heads and hand showers in chrome, brushed brass and polished nickel. Every system uses thermostatic control for safe, consistent temperature, so you get heritage styling with the performance and safety you'd expect from a modern shower.

Traditional showers — where the engineering is part of the design

Modern showers hide everything behind the wall. Traditional showers do the opposite — the valve, the pipework, the riser and the head are all on show, turning the mechanics of the shower into a visual feature. It's an honest approach to design that suits bathrooms where you want to see the craftsmanship, not conceal it.

Exposed thermostatic valves

The valve is the heart of a traditional shower, and in an exposed setup it's also the centrepiece. Mounted on the wall surface with visible inlet pipes, an exposed thermostatic valve puts the controls front and centre — typically twin crosshead handles or lever handles that control temperature and flow independently. Thermostatic cartridges maintain a constant water temperature regardless of demand elsewhere in the house, so the shower stays safe and comfortable even when someone runs a tap or flushes a toilet downstairs. Our traditional exposed valves are available in single-outlet (shower head only), twin-outlet (head plus hand shower) and triple-outlet configurations.

Rigid riser kits

A rigid riser is the vertical pipe that connects the valve to the shower head, and in a traditional shower it's one of the defining visual elements. Unlike a modern slide rail, which uses a slim adjustable bracket, a rigid riser is a fixed chrome, brass or nickel pipe that runs from the valve up to the head — often with a decorative cradle at the top and a diverter to switch between the fixed head and a hand shower below. The rigidity and material weight of the riser give a traditional shower its sense of substance and permanence. Our rigid riser kits include the riser pipe, fixed head, hand shower, diverter and wall fixings as a complete set.

Shower heads — bell, rose and disc

The shower head is where a traditional shower makes its most immediate impression. A bell-shaped head — wider at the bottom with a domed or conical top — is the most recognisably period design, referencing Victorian and Edwardian originals. A rose head is flatter and wider, delivering a gentler, more dispersed rainfall-style flow. A disc head sits between the two — a slim, circular profile that feels slightly more modern while still fitting a traditional scheme. Sizes typically range from 150mm to 300mm in diameter. Larger heads produce a more immersive drench experience but require adequate water pressure — generally 1.0 bar or above for the best performance.

Hand showers and cradles

Most traditional shower sets include a hand shower alongside the fixed head, connected via a diverter on the riser pipe. Traditional hand showers use the same period styling as the fixed head — a smaller bell or disc shape with a matching finish — and sit in a wall-mounted cradle or hook when not in use. The hand shower gives you flexibility for rinsing, cleaning the enclosure and bathing children. The hose is typically braided metal in a matching finish, completing the period look from top to bottom.

Concealed traditional showers

While exposed valves are the most popular choice for a traditional shower, concealed options are also available. A concealed traditional shower valve sits behind the wall with a decorative face plate and crosshead or lever handles on the surface. This gives you period-styled controls without the visible pipework — a useful option if you want a cleaner wall or if the shower is in an enclosure where exposed pipes would create cleaning difficulties. The face plates are available in the same finishes as exposed valves — chrome, brushed brass and polished nickel — and pair with ceiling-mounted or wall-arm-mounted period heads.

Finishes that complete the period look

The finish on a traditional shower ties it to the rest of the bathroom. Chrome is the most popular — bright, reflective and easy to pair with white sanitaryware and most tile colours. Brushed brass is the most authentically period finish, bringing warmth and richness that suits ivory ceramics, natural stone and heritage colour schemes. Polished nickel is a warmer, softer alternative to chrome that works well with both warm and cool palettes. Some ranges also offer antique bronze or aged gold for a more weathered, characterful appearance. As with all bathroom brassware, keeping a consistent finish across your shower, taps, towel rails and accessories is the most effective way to make the room feel intentional.

Water pressure and traditional showers

Traditional exposed showers with large bell or rose heads need adequate water pressure to perform well. Most thermostatic valves require a minimum of 0.5 bar, but for the best experience — particularly with heads over 200mm — you'll want 1.0 bar or above. Homes with a combi boiler generally deliver good pressure without any additional equipment. Gravity-fed systems (cold tank in the loft, hot water cylinder) may need a shower pump to boost flow, especially for larger heads. If you're unsure about your system, check the pressure with a gauge at the nearest tap or ask your plumber before choosing. We list the minimum pressure requirement on every product page.

What is a traditional shower?

A traditional shower is a shower system designed with period-inspired styling — exposed valves with crosshead or lever handles, rigid riser pipes, bell or rose-shaped shower heads and visible pipework. Unlike modern showers, which conceal the mechanics behind the wall, traditional showers make the hardware a visible design feature. Despite the heritage appearance, they use modern thermostatic cartridges for safe, consistent temperature control.

What is the difference between an exposed and concealed traditional shower?

An exposed traditional shower mounts the valve and pipework on the wall surface, making them a visible part of the design — the most authentic period look. A concealed traditional shower hides the valve body and pipework behind the wall, with only a decorative face plate and handles visible on the surface. Exposed is the more popular choice for traditional bathrooms because the visible engineering is part of the appeal. Concealed suits rooms where you want period-styled controls with a cleaner wall.

What is a rigid riser on a traditional shower?

A rigid riser is a fixed vertical pipe that runs from the shower valve up to the shower head, typically in chrome, brass or nickel. It replaces the adjustable slide rail found on modern showers and gives a traditional shower its distinctive, substantial appearance. Most rigid riser kits include the riser pipe, a fixed head at the top, a diverter to switch between the fixed head and a hand shower, the hand shower itself, a hose and wall fixings — everything you need in one set.

What shower head shapes are available for traditional showers?

Traditional showers are available with bell-shaped, rose and disc shower heads. A bell head has a domed top and wider base — the most recognisably Victorian design. A rose head is flatter and wider, producing a gentler, rainfall-style flow. A disc head is slim and circular, offering a slightly more modern profile while still fitting a traditional scheme. Sizes range from 150mm to 300mm in diameter, with larger heads delivering a more immersive experience.

Do traditional showers have thermostatic temperature control?

Yes. Every traditional shower in our range uses a thermostatic valve that maintains a constant water temperature regardless of changes in water demand elsewhere in the house. If someone runs a tap or flushes a toilet, the shower temperature stays where you set it. This is both a comfort and a safety feature, particularly important in homes with children or elderly family members. The thermostatic mechanism is entirely modern — it's housed inside a valve with traditional styling on the outside.

What water pressure do I need for a traditional shower?

Most traditional shower valves require a minimum of 0.5 bar, with 1.0 bar or above recommended for the best performance — particularly with larger bell or rose heads over 200mm in diameter. Combi boiler systems generally deliver sufficient pressure without additional equipment. Gravity-fed systems may need a shower pump to boost flow. Every product page lists the minimum pressure requirement, and our team can advise on which traditional showers suit your system if you're unsure.

What finishes are available for traditional showers?

Our traditional shower range is available in chrome, brushed brass, polished nickel and, in some collections, antique bronze and aged gold. Chrome is the most versatile and pairs with almost any bathroom scheme. Brushed brass is the most authentically period finish and suits warmer palettes. Polished nickel offers a softer, warmer metallic than chrome. Match the shower finish to your taps, towel rails and enclosure hardware to keep the bathroom cohesive.