Stoke-on-Trent - The UK Home of Pottery & China

The Potteries, England's Heritage - art of Fine China & Tableware

Sep 26, 2008 Rachel L. Webb

The Potteries is the area of Stoke-on-Trent which is famous for its Victorian pottery and kilns. Nowadays many firms old and new still make their base in these six towns.

Stoke -on-Trent boasts an incredible 32 potteries that are open to visitors, some with factory shops, seconds shops, museums and cafes.

The internationally acclaimed Wedgwood Visitor Centre and the about to be opened £10 million Wedgwood Museum offer craft demonstrations, factory tour, museum collections, shopping opportunities and a restaurant.

Several other factories such as Moorcroft and Burleigh offer factory tours and with over 30 pottery factory shops including the world renowned brands of Royal Doulton, Portmeirion, Aynsley, Spode and Churchill there is so much to see, watch and buy!

A visit to Stoke -on-Trent, made up of the six separate towns of Burslem, Fenton, Hanley, Longton, Stoke and Tunstall would be incomplete without a look at at least one of the City’s ceramic museums.

The city’s nickname of The Potteries comes from its mighty manufacturing heritage and the multitude of bottle-shaped brick kilns that are part of the last complete Victorian pottery can be seen as the Gladstone Pottery Museum.

Visit The Potteries and throw your own pot to mark your visit to this amazing British industry.

These are just some of the potteries that are open to the public:

Emma Bridgewood Ltd

The Courtyard, Eastwood Works, Lichfield Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Tel: 01782 269682

Working factory producing handmade and hand-decorated pottery, factory shop selling seconds and discontinued pieces. It also has a Pottery Café.

Port Meirion Factory Shop

473 King Street, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Tel: 01782 326661

Factory shop sellinf tableware, giftware, candles and decorative accessories in glass, metal, textile. Also available is a wide selection of white ware and seconds on sale to the public at discounted prices.

Wedgewood Factory Shop

King Street, Sidings Place, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent

Tel: 01782 316161

HIghly desirable tableware - crystal, giftware and accessories for the home at discounted prices. With savings up to 75% on seconds and discontinued lines.

Spode

Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent

Tel: 01782 572598

Visitor Centre with museum, gift shop, factory shops and guided tours of the Blue Room and Spode Museum.

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery

Bethesda Street, City Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Tel: 01782 232323

Discover the history of the Potteries, including the world's greatest collection of Stafffordshire Ceramics, and a Spitfire.

Potteries Antique Centre

271 Waterloo Road, Cobridge, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Tel: 01782 201455

An extensive range of quality antiques, collectible, antique and reproduction furniture for purchase.

Royal Doulton Factory Shop

Unit 227, Trentham Retail Village, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent

Tel: 01782 657169

Small, friendly store with a wide selection of crystal and glassware, also a huge range of gift options ranging from Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Versace and Andy Warhol.

Aynsley China

Sutherland Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent

Tel: 01782 339420

Aynsley factory shop selling seconds and best china at reduced prices. Also has a bargain basement and a cafe.

The copyright of the article Stoke-on-Trent - The UK Home of Pottery & China in U.K./Ireland Travel is owned by Rachel L. Webb. Permission to republish Stoke-on-Trent - The UK Home of Pottery & China in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Moorcroft Pottery