Since 1897, each piece of Moorcroft art pottery has been made entirely by hand from start to finish with designs that push forward the boundaries of ceramic art.

Great British Life: William Moorcroft, Art Potterys founding father directing a placer in the Moorcroft Grade II listed Moorcroft bottle oven that soars up into the Burslem skyline.William Moorcroft, Art Potterys founding father directing a placer in the Moorcroft Grade II listed Moorcroft bottle oven that soars up into the Burslem skyline. (Image: Archant)

William Moorcroft, who was later to found the company that would hold his name with financial backing from the famous Liberty of London, was an artist and ceramic chemist who developed a new range of decorative pottery using techniques of slip-trailing and underglaze colour, which were to become his hallmarks. He started his own factory in 1913, on the site of a former tile and brick company in Cobridge, where Moorcroft remains to this day. Within a decade he would be Potters to Her Majesty The Queen. Those who worked at Moorcroft over decades gone by would stand in awe at the skills of the designers, tubeliners and colourists of today. Their names are synonymous with superb quality without parallel, in the full 108 years of Moorcroft history. This exciting art pottery history can be view in the Moorcroft Museum at the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre.

A guided tour will take visitors into the heart of the Moorcroft Factory. Based at the Heritage Visitor Centre our expert guides accompany the visitor around the original factory. Comprehensive information in all aspects of the hand-made processes of mould making, slip casting, hand turning, tube lining, hand painting, kiln firing and finally glazing. The techniques used in Moorcroft pottery are virtually the same today, as they were a hundred years ago. Visitors enter a time warp from which they can look into the virtual soul of what must be the world’s best loved art pottery.

THE MOORCROFT MUSEUM AT THE MOORCROFT HERITAGE VISITOR CENTRE

Great British Life: Artist Hayley Moore demonstrates the difficult skills of hand-painting ceramic art.Artist Hayley Moore demonstrates the difficult skills of hand-painting ceramic art. (Image: Archant)

No booking is required to view the exhibitions within the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre Museum with pieces of art pottery still showcased in original Liberty cabinets.

FACTORY TOURS

Advance booking is necessary of at least 2 weeks prior to visiting the pottery.

Great British Life: Television Celebrity Antiques Expert and Moorcroft Director, Eric Knowles, in the Moorcroft Museum, located at the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor CentreTelevision Celebrity Antiques Expert and Moorcroft Director, Eric Knowles, in the Moorcroft Museum, located at the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre (Image: Archant)

A maximum of 10 people can be taken on a factory tour at one time. However, large group bookings can be arranged for up to 20 people. Address: Sandbach Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, ST6 2DQ

Duration: Factory tours last approx 1 hour. Pre-booking is essential, please call in advance to book 01782 820515

For further details see www.moorcroft.com

Great British Life: Lest We Forget is a Moorcroft design from The Collection of Remembrance to offer respect and veneration to a whole generation whose sacrifices changed the world.Lest We Forget is a Moorcroft design from The Collection of Remembrance to offer respect and veneration to a whole generation whose sacrifices changed the world. (Image: The Image Factory (Photographers) Ltd 2014)

There is a vending machine available onsite for hot drinks.

Opening Hours

Mon 11:00 14:00 | Wed - Thu 11:00 14:00 | Fri 11:00

Opening times may vary on Bank Holidays, please ring to confirm times.

Prices

Adults £4.50, Children (age 11-16) £3.50.

There is a maximum number per booking of 6 people. Please make your booking at least 2 weeks in advance. Tours are subject to maximum numbers so you will need to contact the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.