Middleport Pottery, situated on the Trent and Mersey Canal, is the last working Victorian pottery - a site that celebrates industrial past and a thriving creative future. Middleport Pottery is run by Re-Form Heritage, a national charity supporting communities through the regeneration of their historic buildings. Visit a heritage trail and factory tour that allows visitors to explore the fascinating industrial heritage of the Potteries and factory process of world-famous 'Burleigh' pottery.
It is worth coming here just for the cafe alone, which, unluckily for us, is precisely what happened, since by the time we arrived, the factory tour had sold out. But never mind! The pottery itself is located in very picturesque settings and very charming. It is impossible to leave the shop without buying some gorgeous potteryware. Just note that the sign posts for the pottery seem to run out in the last vital minutes of the journey. So be aware that it is located down some back streets.
Living in Stoke-on-Trent I have visited Middleport Pottery often, and having grown up in Melbourne, Australia, this place is the very essence of the Potteries as I grew up hearing about them... I have brought friends and visitors here, not only to enjoy the historic setting of the traditional potbank with it's bottle oven in the courtyard, but also to enjoy a meal in the cafe. It's a great meeting place, and a lovely spot to wander and for friends visiting from further afield, there are some lovely, hand-made pieces in the shops for them to take home as a quality souvenir of their trip. The cafe is lovely with it's rustic appearance enhanced by the decorations which have their roots in the patterns of the Burleigh ceramics which were once created on this very site. The food is always great quality and the coffee is top notch, which really matters to me! I highly recommend stopping here if you are visiting the area - and if you are a fan of Victorian period dramas, or the reality show, "The Great Pottery Throw Down" you have the knowlege that you are visiting a location which is often filmed for film and TV shows alike.
Crockery made locally, designs are mostly historic, much more subdued designs and colours than Emma Bridgewater. Buildings are on a residential street near the canal. Also there's a very good cafe. Next time - our 3rd visit - we will take the self guided heritage tour. Even without, there's a lot to see down the alleys. We visited thanks to recommendations from Miranda Mills youtube channel
What a lovely experience. Came at a weird time so the shop was closed but we were able to do the heritage self guided tour. You get to see a bottle oven and all sorts of the tools used in the bottle oven. Some of the old equipment used was stored outside and is quite eroded but you can still tell what they were. Cute lil cafe on the grounds and some individual potters studios/galleries too! Great spot! Would recommend a visit!
We had a fabulous tour thru Middleport Pottery this week when we visited Stoke-On--Trent. The appreciation level of Burleigh Ceramics definitely increased. Unlike most pottery that is made commercially today, Burleigh is still very hands on with all its processes. It is such a shame so many fine British companies either closed or moved production overseas to make cheaper.
I absolutely loved it here! Loads of history and it was great to immerse myself in it. The first couple of series' of The Great Pottery Throwdown were filmed here...the show that started my love for pottery and the reason for my visit. It would be nice to have a few more potter's work for sale though.
On-site services
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
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It is worth coming here just for the cafe alone, which, unluckily for us, is precisely what happened, since by the time we arrived, the factory tour had sold out. But never mind! The pottery itself is located in very picturesque settings and very charming. It is impossible to leave the shop without buying some gorgeous potteryware. Just note that the sign posts for the pottery seem to run out in the last vital minutes of the journey. So be aware that it is located down some back streets.
Living in Stoke-on-Trent I have visited Middleport Pottery often, and having grown up in Melbourne, Australia, this place is the very essence of the Potteries as I grew up hearing about them... I have brought friends and visitors here, not only to enjoy the historic setting of the traditional potbank with it's bottle oven in the courtyard, but also to enjoy a meal in the cafe. It's a great meeting place, and a lovely spot to wander and for friends visiting from further afield, there are some lovely, hand-made pieces in the shops for them to take home as a quality souvenir of their trip. The cafe is lovely with it's rustic appearance enhanced by the decorations which have their roots in the patterns of the Burleigh ceramics which were once created on this very site. The food is always great quality and the coffee is top notch, which really matters to me! I highly recommend stopping here if you are visiting the area - and if you are a fan of Victorian period dramas, or the reality show, "The Great Pottery Throw Down" you have the knowlege that you are visiting a location which is often filmed for film and TV shows alike.
Crockery made locally, designs are mostly historic, much more subdued designs and colours than Emma Bridgewater. Buildings are on a residential street near the canal. Also there's a very good cafe. Next time - our 3rd visit - we will take the self guided heritage tour. Even without, there's a lot to see down the alleys. We visited thanks to recommendations from Miranda Mills youtube channel
What a lovely experience. Came at a weird time so the shop was closed but we were able to do the heritage self guided tour. You get to see a bottle oven and all sorts of the tools used in the bottle oven. Some of the old equipment used was stored outside and is quite eroded but you can still tell what they were. Cute lil cafe on the grounds and some individual potters studios/galleries too! Great spot! Would recommend a visit!
We had a fabulous tour thru Middleport Pottery this week when we visited Stoke-On--Trent. The appreciation level of Burleigh Ceramics definitely increased. Unlike most pottery that is made commercially today, Burleigh is still very hands on with all its processes. It is such a shame so many fine British companies either closed or moved production overseas to make cheaper.
I absolutely loved it here! Loads of history and it was great to immerse myself in it. The first couple of series' of The Great Pottery Throwdown were filmed here...the show that started my love for pottery and the reason for my visit. It would be nice to have a few more potter's work for sale though.
