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Middleport Pottery: Living Heritage of Victorian Ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent

Discover the last working Victorian pottery in the UK, where heritage ceramics come alive alongside historic canals and timeless craftsmanship.

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Middleport Pottery, established in 1888 in Stoke-on-Trent, is the UK’s last working Victorian pottery still producing world-famous Burleigh ware. This Grade II* listed site combines historic factory buildings, a visitor centre, café, factory shop, and guided tours showcasing traditional handcraft pottery methods. Situated alongside the Trent & Mersey Canal, it offers a unique glimpse into the industrial heritage and ongoing craftsmanship of Staffordshire ceramics.

A brief summary to Middleport Pottery

  • Port St, Stoke-on-Trent, Burslem, Middleport, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 3PE, GB
  • +441782499766
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1 to 3 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-4 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-4 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-4 pm
  • Friday 10 am-4 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-4 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Book factory tours in advance as they run on limited weekdays and fill quickly.
  • Visit the Packing House Café for locally sourced food served on authentic Burleigh pottery.
  • Explore the self-led Heritage Trail to see original Victorian offices, the bottle kiln, and the Bath House.
  • Check out the Burleigh Factory Shop for exclusive pottery collections and souvenirs.
  • Allow extra time to visit the nearby Harper Street audio-visual exhibition for insights into 1950s pottery community life.
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Getting There

  • Train

    Travelers can take a train to Longport station, approximately 1.2 miles from Middleport Pottery. From there, a 15-minute walk along accessible urban paths leads to the site. Trains run frequently from Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, with ticket prices ranging from £5 to £15 depending on origin.

  • Bus

    Several local bus routes serve Newcastle Street in Burslem, about a 10-minute walk from Middleport Pottery. Bus services operate regularly throughout the day with fares typically under £5. Note that service frequency may reduce on Sundays.

  • Car

    Visitors arriving by car can access free parking adjacent to the pottery. The site is reachable via main roads from Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding areas. Parking availability can be limited during special events, so early arrival is recommended.

  • Walking

    For those staying nearby, walking routes from Stoke-on-Trent city centre along the canal towpath offer a scenic 60-minute walk to Middleport Pottery. The path is flat but may be uneven in parts, suitable for visitors with moderate mobility.

Middleport Pottery location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Middleport Pottery

A Model Victorian Pottery Preserved

Middleport Pottery was built in 1888 by Burgess & Leigh Ltd as a pioneering example of efficient industrial design in the Staffordshire pottery industry. Unlike the cramped and chaotic layouts of earlier factories, Middleport was designed with linear organization and wide passageways to facilitate smooth movement of workers and goods. Its canalside location beside the Trent & Mersey Canal enabled direct loading of finished pottery onto barges for national and international distribution. The site retains many original features, including a Grade II* listing and a rare surviving bottle kiln, emblematic of Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramic heritage.

Continuous Craftsmanship and Regeneration

Middleport Pottery has maintained uninterrupted production of Burleigh pottery since its opening, preserving traditional techniques such as transfer printing and hand painting. By 2010, the site faced closure due to deterioration, but intervention by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust (now Re-Form Heritage) secured a £9 million restoration. This sensitive regeneration conserved the factory’s historic character while upgrading facilities and creating a vibrant visitor destination. The pottery remains operational under Denby Holdings, blending heritage with modern business.

Visitor Experiences and Heritage Trails

Visitors can explore Middleport’s rich history through self-led Heritage Trails and guided Factory Tours that reveal every stage of pottery making, from clay to finished ware. The site includes the Victorian Offices, the Bath House, the Mould Store with Europe’s largest ceramic mould collection, and the atmospheric Bottle Kiln. Exhibitions and workshops showcase local artists and traditional craftsmanship, while the canal-side Packing House Café offers locally sourced food served on Burleigh ware.

Community and Cultural Significance

Middleport Pottery is more than a factory; it is a cultural landmark embodying the industrial heritage of Stoke-on-Trent and the resilience of its community. The site supports creative enterprises and educational programs, fostering skills in traditional crafts. Its regeneration has revitalized the surrounding area, including Harper Street, where visitors can experience historical audio-visual exhibitions depicting life in the potteries during the 1950s.

Architectural and Industrial Legacy

The pottery’s design, led by architect A.R. Wood and visionary Edmund Leigh, was revolutionary for its time. It integrated covered walkways, efficient layouts, and worker-friendly features, setting a new standard for industrial production. The surviving bottle kiln and steam engine are iconic reminders of Stoke-on-Trent’s role as the world’s ceramic capital. Middleport stands as a rare living example of Victorian industrial architecture still in active use.

Engagement and Accessibility

Open daily from 10am to 4pm, Middleport Pottery welcomes families, ceramic enthusiasts, and cultural tourists. The site offers accessible tours and facilities, a factory shop with exclusive Burleigh collections, and hosts community events. Its location beside transport links including Longport railway station and bus routes makes it an accessible heritage destination within the Potteries region.

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