We were invited to visit Emma Bridgewater to learn more about the Stoke based pottery and a chance to participate in their factory tour. Located in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, the factory offers a chance for people to see how the pottery is made. Visitors are also able to purchase seconds, individual or discontinued items at bargain prices at their factory outlets. Others wanting to get hold of Emma Bridgewater’s latest pottery designs can head to their giftshop. Open 7 days a week, It is a great place to head with the family, as even young kids will enjoy the factory tour and decorating studio. There is a lovely cafe there selling cakes, breakfast, lunch menu and offering afternoon tea selection to keep the rumbling tummies quiet. Do watch the HD video slideshow which we made to give you an idea of the tour.
Located on Lichfield St in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. The Victorian factory has easy access and ample parking at the back of the factory. Do follow signs to their free parking lot.
Below you will see a photo of the factory shop where you are able to purchase individual, seconds as well as discontinued items at bargain prices. This is also the location where you meet for the factory tour. The tour tickets as well as the decorating studio tickets can be purchase online from their website or at the counter. We would recommend that you pre-book it online as it can get busy on some days.
One of the more popular items being sold at Emma Bridewater is their animal pottery collection. Andy (photo below) is in charge of the dogs and does up to 200 different parts a day. We were told that about 30 hands touch a lump of clay before its finished.
A shot from the top showing the vast pottery which is made at the factory. The bottom photos are of the mugs, plates and pots placed on the ceramic truck ready to be fired in the kiln. The kiln can go up to a temperature of 1050 degrees Celsius.
Here are some photos of the little things that is done at the factory which may not seem much to us but it does matter. The top left photo is of Lionel ‘dipping finger’ ie rubbing the dent off (where the cup and handle joins) to make the mug stronger. He does this individually for every mug. Each step is time consuming and done by hand. The top right hand shows a staff signing her name on the back of a plate as some collectors have a favourite decorator and this is how they know who decorated an item. The bottom left picture shows a before and after photo of the smoothed mug by ‘diddlers’ which is later decorated by hand using sponge design, hand painting or by lithograph transfer. The bottom right photo, shows a rose sponge which is used to make the pattern on the pottery.
Here are some photos of the beautiful items being sold in their Gift Shop. All their latest and newest designs are sold here…trust me, you will be spoilt for choices.
We stopped off at their Cafe after our factory tour to have a hot drink and some cakes, the cafe it was beautifully decorated and staff was friendly. While we waited for our drinks and cakes to arrive, the kids had a fun time doing the Tomato Trail Challenge which they enjoyed. The kids enjoyed their hot chocolate which was served in a mini kids mug.
