Peter Brown was born in Hertfordshire but moved with his parents to St Just in 1951. He was educated at Penzance Grammar School. After leaving school, he obtained a place at Falmouth Art School (1963-1965), where one of his tutors was DERRICK WILSHAW, who had in 1947 founded the Lamorna Pottery. Brown subsequently attended the Central School of Art & Design in Holborn but did not complete the course.

Returning to Cornwall, he gained valuable experience setting up a pottery at Lands End. In 1966 he married Shirley Jago and, with financial assistance from his widowed mother, was able to purchase the Lamorna Pottery, which had suffered from poor management. In order to support his growing family, Brown altered the ethos of the pottery by turning to slip cast items. These utilitarian pieces were popular and were key to making the business more commercially viable. 

During the 1970s, when Bruce Forsyth's 'Generation Game' featured members of the public attempting to throw a pot, the Lamorna Pottery created a 'Throw a Pot' area. This novelty attracted a flow of tourists eager to try their hand, which led to the need to provide refreshments, initially sold from a shed manned by Peter's mother. Other family members became involved in the pottery too - in particular Peter's wife Shirley, who became proficient at glazing and decorating, and packing pots for shipment to customers.

In 1980/1981 substantial extensions were made to the pottery, including a new showroom and craft centre. Students were employed to run the coffee bar and manage the 'Throw a Pot' area. The reputation of the pottery grew to the extent that commissions were received from local clubs and organisations for the creation of trophies and commemorative items. Peter had little time for art pieces but some of his bowls and large cylinder pots have survived.

In 1988 Peter Brown retired from the pottery, which was sold to Osmond Rego.