The Old Pottery & Museum

The Leach Pottery was the first in the western world to have a Japanese wood burning climbing kiln. The kiln is still there today having been in continuous use for over 50 years until the middle 1970s.

The studio resonates with the memories of Leach, his co-founder and friend Shoji Hamada, his sons David and Michael, his third wife Janet Darnell, plus the many other great potters, such as Michael Cardew and William Marshall, who first came to study there and learn their art.

This workshop was home to some of the most influential potters of the twentieth century. Apprentices, students and visiting potters, influenced by Bernard Leach’s writings and reputation, came to work at the pottery. Here potters created their own individual pots, as well as a range of well-designed and affordable tableware known as Leach standard ware. They developed their craft through the discipline of repetitive production as well as through mutual criticism and support.

As part of the new museum a custom built space has been created to house exhibitions celebrating Bernard Leach and the many other world-class potters who trained and worked at the Leach Pottery.