Visitor Centres on the Trent and Mersey Canal

Guide To Middleport Pottery

Middleport Pottery This Victorian pottery factory, home to the renowned Burleigh pottery, has been a symbol of craftsmanship and creativity since its establishment in 1889.

Middleport Pottery, located in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, is a fascinating destination that holds a significant place in the history of ceramics.

Preserving History: The Restoration of Middleport Pottery

Middleport Pottery’s story is one of resilience and preservation. In the early 2010s, the pottery faced the threat of closure due to the deteriorating condition of its buildings. However, a restoration and regeneration project was initiated thanks to the intervention of The Prince’s Foundation and the United Kingdom Historic Building Preservation Trust. With a combination of private and public funding, Middleport Pottery underwent a remarkable transformation.

The restoration process, which lasted for three years and cost £9 million, aimed to revitalize the site while maintaining its historical integrity. The project saved Middleport Pottery from potential demise and created a vibrant visitor destination and a hub for creative businesses. Today, the pottery stands as a testament to the power of restoration and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.

Discovering Middleport Pottery: A Guided Tour

One of the highlights of visiting Middleport Pottery is the opportunity to take a guided tour of the site and factory. Led by knowledgeable and passionate guides, the tour provides a unique insight into the traditional pottery production methods practised at Middleport for over a century.

As you embark on the tour, you’ll be transported back in time, exploring the various stages of the pottery-making process. The journey begins with a visit to the heritage offices, where you can delve into the history of Burleigh Pottery and learn about the influential figures who shaped its legacy. Moving through the factory, you’ll witness the skilled craftsmen in action, meticulously shaping clay and transforming it into exquisite pottery pieces.

A particular highlight of the tour is the chance to step inside the Grade II listed bottle kiln, one of the few remaining in the city. This iconic structure serves as a reminder of Stoke-on-Trent’s industrial heritage and the rich tradition of pottery-making that once thrived in the area.

 

Middleport Pottery

Middleport Pottery: More Than Just Pottery Making

Middleport Pottery offers visitors more than just a glimpse into the pottery-making process. Over the years, it has become a popular visitor attraction, offering a range of experiences that showcase the rich heritage and artistry of pottery making. The site has been thoughtfully repurposed, creating space for a range of activities and experiences that cater to all interests.

Café: A Haven for Food Enthusiasts

After immersing yourself in the world of pottery, take a moment to relax and indulge in the Middleport Pottery café. Housed in the original packing house, the café provides a charming setting to savour locally-sourced food and beverages. Whether you choose to sit outside, enjoying views of the tranquil Trent and Mersey Canal, or cosy up by the wood-burning stove during colder months, the café offers a delightful dining experience.

Factory Shop: A Treasure Trove of Burleigh Pottery

No visit to Middleport Pottery would be complete without exploring the Burleigh Factory Shop. Here, you’ll find an extensive selection of Burleigh pottery, showcasing the timeless beauty and craftsmanship that has made it renowned worldwide. From elegant dinnerware to decorative pieces, the shop offers the opportunity to take home a piece of pottery history.

 

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Middleport Pottery Information

Port St, Burslem, Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3PE.

Phone

01782 499766

Social Media

Heritage Trail: Immersing Yourself in the Past

To fully appreciate the history and significance of Middleport Pottery, follow the Heritage Trail. This self-guided exploration takes you through the preserved Victorian offices, the design showroom, and even the underground bathhouse used by the pottery workers. Each step along the trail reveals fascinating insights into the daily lives of those who worked at the pottery and the importance of their craft.

Adjacent Attractions: Harper Street and Clay College

While Middleport Pottery itself is a treasure trove of history, additional attractions are worth exploring nearby. Just a stone’s throw away is the beautifully renovated Harper Street complex. This collection of terraced houses, now transformed into exhibition spaces and shops, provides a glimpse into the lives of pottery workers in the late 1800s.

Clay College, also situated near Middleport Pottery, offers a range of educational opportunities for those interested in furthering their knowledge of ceramics. From workshops to exhibitions, the college fosters a community of talented artists and provides a platform for their work.

Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

NOTE: Venues often have seasonal opening hours or can be subject to change, so it's always wise to check with the venue before visiting.

Middleport Pottery Reviews

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Review from Google Places

21 October 2024

An absolute must go/ see if you’re a lover or collector of English pottery of any age! It’s a mix of factories that still operates today as well as museums with many hard to find old unique pieces to die for! Staff and volunteers are lovely and very knowledgeable and they love visitors, specially the kind and beautiful Margaret, she’s a gem! After you’re done seeing all the gorgeous things that are everywhere, there’s is a cozy charming coffee shop with coffee, chocolate and food being served in real English China all locally made! You’ll love your time spent there!

Valéria

Review from Google Places

29 September 2024

In the heart 💗 of Stoke-on-Trent – famous for porcelain lovers “The Potteries” 🫖

▶️ Middleport Pottery, was built by Burgess & Leigh in the late nineteenth century. This Grade II*-listed pottery is the UK’s last working Victorian potbank in continuous production, and after 130 years remains home to world-famous Burleigh pottery that is all made here onsite.

Wonderful place which even played in few movies & TV series like ‘Peaky Blinders’ just to name one most famous.

Well worth a visit!

Mart W.

Review from Google Places

9 June 2024

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.

ruth groundwater

Review from Google Places

26 April 2024

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.

Meredith Small

Review from Google Places

4 April 2024

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.

Steven Courtney

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