Gladstone Pottery Museum
About This Museum
What makes the Gladstone Pottery Museum so special is that it's not a purpose-built gallery; it's the real thing. You're walking through the very same bottle kilns and workshops where generations of potters actually worked, with the ghosts of clay dust and coal smoke still lingering in the air. Its collection is a deep dive into Staffordshire's industrial heart, tracing the journey from raw clay to finished ware with all the original machinery, saggar maker's tools, and intricate moulds on display. You can almost feel the intense heat and hear the clatter of a bygone era as you explore. It’s a wonderfully immersive experience that connects you directly to the people who shaped this global industry.
Collection Highlights
The star attractions are undoubtedly the four towering bottle kilns—the last complete set of their kind in Britain. Inside, you'll find everything from garish Victorian majolica to delicate bone china, alongside fascinating displays on how 'jiggerers' and 'jolleyers' shaped pots and how transfer printers created those iconic blue willow patterns.
Visitor Information
It's easy to spend a whole day here, especially if you time your visit to catch a live throwing demonstration or try your hand at painting a pot yourself. Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the cobbled yard, and don't forget to pop into the gift shop for a unique piece of contemporary Staffordshire pottery to take home.
Architecture & Building
The museum is housed in a preserved Victorian pottery factory, a sprawling complex of red brick buildings dominated by those iconic bottle-shaped kilns that give Stoke-on-Trent its distinctive skyline.
Contact & Location
Address: Uttoxeter Road, Normacot, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England, ST3 1QB, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1782 237777
Website: Visit Website
