If you are looking for the history of industrial ceramics, you have to go to the cradle of the industrial revolution. And if you’re looking for these ceramics in the UK, all roads lead to Stoke-On-Trent. The English call this city affectionately “The Potteries”, it may be obvious why.

In this area there has been made ceramics for thousands of years, as well as many other places on the island. However, with the industrial revolution from about 1750, Stoke-On-Trent grew to become the first ceramic industry. That makes this place and its ceramics history unique in the world.

Curious what to visit in Stoke-On-Trent? We went by bike to research on the spot. ..

Six villages, together “The Potteries“

Stoke-On-Trent in the “Midlands” located on the Trent consists of six villages. In the Middle Ages this area in the north of Staffordshire was a backward province. It was scarsely populated and the peasants who were there worked very sparse ground. In order to supplement their miserable income, they began to produce, among other things, hand-formed earthenware.

Clay, water and fuel (coal) were abundantly present, so more and more farmers from this region began to concentrate on pottery. The coals gave them such an advantage that Burslem (one of the six villages) gradually grew into a center of potters since 1700.

Together with the invention of the steam engine, from the middle of the 18th century, “The Potteries” grew out to be the heart of the English ceramics industry. Ceramics became more refined. Coarse red pottery was replaced by white “Creamware” (or “Queen’s Ware“, as Wedgwood called it later). The Secret (Arcanum) of porcelain production was not only copied, the recipe was adapted to “Bone china“. Which was better suited for the industrial process.

The use of new materials, plaster moulds, tile presses and cast clay accelerated the forming of clay revolutionary. In addition, the discovery of “transfer printing” made decoration of ceramics in series possible. Division of labour, steam power and new processes in shaping and decorating industrialized the ceramic techniques.

Stoke-On-Trent in the 21st century

Each of the six villages in Stoke-On-Trent had their own specialisation, together they formed in the 19^th century the largest industrial ceramics center that the world had ever seen. From 1950, the production of ceramics slowly fell back by increasing competition from various parts of the world (including China, the cradle of ceramics).

At the end of the 20th century the industry had shrunk enormously. The economic crisis at the beginning of this century seemed to give the final blow. Now in 2018 it turns out fortunately that hasn’t been the case. Despite setbacks, the industry seems to rise on a smaller scale from its (coal) ashes.

Stoke-On-Trent has now been transformed from a dark industrial area, in a tourist centre in the middle of the green English “countryside“. Many of the historic buildings and factories have been demolished, but the ones saved from the  hammer have been restored with national pride.

Industrial ceramics are still being manufactured and sold in various (factory) shops. Many factories are open to visitors to see the contemporary process at close range. You can also get to know the rich history of the area  in several museums.

Industrial Ceramic visits

Stoke-On-Trent is best known for its characteristic bottle ovens (bottle kilns), which until mid-20th century dominated the cities skyline. According to historians , over 4,000 of these (coal-fired) furnaces stood in the city during the heyday. Nowadays, there are still less than 50. Many of these “bottle kilns” can be visited and belong to one of the historical museums in the area.

The museums and factories we have visited I highly recommend. The entrances of the museums are for free (although a voluntary contribution is very much appreciated). Factory guided tours are worthwhile, but then paying for access is required. Note: Sometimes you need to book in advance.Below are all the villages which together form the city of Stoke-On-Trent, with the ceramic locations that can be visited. The center of the city is formed by Stoke (train station) and Hanley (shopping area) that lies together. The other villages are slightly further apart and often have their own center.

• Stoke
  • Spode Museum Trust Heritage Centre
  • Etruria Industrial Museum
• Hanley
  • The potteries Museum and Art Gallery
  • Dudson Museum
• Burslum
  • Moorcroft Pottery
  • Middleport Pottery (Home of Burleigh)
• Tunstall
• Longton
  • Gladstone Pottery Museum
• Fenton
• Barlaston
  • World of Wedgwood

In addition, there are several other ceramic shops and outlets in the city. Do you want something else than industrial ceramics? There are other attractions such as a swimming pool, a zoo and several parks. For a current overview: www.visitstoke.co.uk

Five or seven villages

The attentive reader has counted of course seven villages in the overview. Surely it is the “Six towns of Stoke-On-Trent”? Yes that’s right, although….

The writer Arnold Bennet, born in Stoke-On-Trent, wrote in 1902 a novel about life of local potters: “Anna of the Five towns“. He omitted in his narration Fenton (“The Forgotten Town”). So it is even difficult for the residents of Stoke-On-Trent to get all the places in a row 🙂

The other reason: The move of the Wedgwood factory from the historic Etruria terrain to a new location in Barlestone. As a result, in the middle of the 20th century, “the Potteries” grew one village.

Anyway, if you are researching the history of industrial ceramics then you don’t stumble over a village more or less, you just go.

(for example on bike ….. to be continued)

About Post Author

Daniel Bende

Designs and creates under the trade name DFB-ceramics hand-thrown stoneware figurative ceramics.

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