The history of the K6: icon of British design

It has been immortalised on countless postcards, in Hollywood films, and in the memories of millions of people: the red British telephone box. But behind this symbol lies a fascinating story of design and culture. At the centre of it all is one model that changed everything: Kiosk No. 6, or K6 for short.

The Beginnings: A Design for the Whole Kingdom

At the beginning of the 1920s, there was a mixture of different telephone box designs in Great Britain. The General Post Office (GPO) wanted a uniform design for the whole country. In 1924, the renowned architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who also designed Battersea Power Station and Liverpool Cathedral, won a design competition. His design, the K2, was an elegant, classical cast-iron kiosk. However, because of its size and cost, it was installed almost exclusively in London.

1935: The Birth of an Icon – the K6

For the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott was commissioned to design a lighter, less expensive, and more compact version of the K2 that could be installed throughout the country. The result was the K6.

Scott refined his original design but retained the essential features: the elegant dome, the clean lines, and the robust construction. The colour was set as bright "Post Office Red" later known as "Currant Red" to make the box clearly visible even in bad weather. The K6 was an immediate success. From 1936 into the 1960s, more than 60,000 units were produced and shaped the image of British towns and villages like no other object.

More Than Just a Telephone: A Cultural Symbol

The K6 quickly became more than just a place to make phone calls. It was a meeting point, a shelter from the rain, and a reliable landmark in public space. In the time before mobile phones, it was a gateway to the world. Its presence in films such as Harry Potter and in music videos cemented its status as a pop culture icon.

The End of an Era and Rebirth as a Collector’s Piece

With the privatisation of British Telecom in the 1980s and the rise of the mobile phone, the decline of the red telephone box began. Thousands were removed and replaced by modern but soulless successors. But a wave of public nostalgia and protest led to many K6 boxes being listed for preservation.

At the same time, enthusiasts and collectors around the world recognised the value of these design icons. Instead of letting them decay, companies such as The Telephone Box began rescuing original K6 boxes and giving them new life through elaborate restoration as private collector’s pieces, garden highlights, mini libraries, or exclusive bars.

Today, almost 100 years after its introduction, the K6 has lost none of its fascination. It is a monument to outstanding British design and a timeless piece of history that you can bring home. Own a piece of this history and discover our original K6 telephone boxes.