While Walkers dominates supermarket shelves nationally, ask for a bag of "Seabrook's" in a Yorkshire pub and everyone knows exactly what you mean - a thicker, crunchier, unapologetically old-fashioned crisp that's barely changed since the 1940s.
An independent, family-run crisp maker since 1945
Seabrook Crisps was founded in Bradford, West Yorkshire, in 1945, and - unlike almost every other major British crisp brand - it's still owned and run by the same family four generations later. That independence has let Seabrook stick to small-batch kettle cooking long after most competitors switched to continuous, high-volume frying lines.
Crinkle-cut and cooked in small batches
- Thicker cut — Seabrook's crisps are sliced noticeably thicker than Walkers or most other mainstream brands, giving a firmer, more substantial crunch.
- Crinkle-cut ridges — the ridged shape is a Seabrook signature, designed to hold more seasoning and stand up to dips.
- Small-batch frying — crisps are cooked in smaller kettle batches rather than continuous industrial lines, which producers argue gives more control over colour and crunch.
How it differs from Walkers
Walkers, founded in Leicester and owned by PepsiCo since 1989, is a very different kind of operation - a mass-market brand with a huge flavour range, national advertising and supermarket-wide distribution. Seabrook has stayed smaller and more regional by comparison, with a flavour range built around a handful of core options - Prawn Cocktail, Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar and Worcester Sauce - rather than constantly rotating limited editions. It's a difference in scale and approach as much as taste: Walkers built a national snack empire, while Seabrook built a loyal following on being the crisp that didn't change.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Seabrook Crisps made?
Seabrook Crisps has been made in Bradford, West Yorkshire, since the company was founded in 1945, and it remains one of the last major British crisp brands still owned by the founding family.
What makes Seabrook crisps different from Walkers?
Seabrook crisps are thick-cut and crinkled, cooked in small batches for a firmer, crunchier bite, while Walkers - owned by PepsiCo - produces thinner, flat crisps on a much larger industrial scale.
What are Seabrook's most popular flavours?
Seabrook's best-known flavours include Prawn Cocktail, Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar and Worcester Sauce, each built around the brand's distinctive thick crinkle-cut crisp.