Winchcombe Pottery ranks as one of Britain’s pioneer potteries and has its roots in the Arts and Crafts Movement and traditional English Slipware pottery.
It was founded in 1926 by Michael Cardew, an apprentice of the founding father of British studio pottery Bernard Leach. He invited the experienced local potter Elijah Comfort to join the team, and Sidney Tustin joined in 1927. Cardew’s apprentice Ray Finch later managed the business and eventually took over Winchcombe Pottery when Cardew left in the 1940s.
There has been a working Pottery on the current site in Greet, just outside Winchcombe, Cheltenham, since at least the early 1800s. It was positioned here due to the abundance of red earthenware clay found in the area near the river Isbourne. The original ‘Greet Pottery’ produced a range of farmhouse wares and garden pots using the clay found on site.
In years to follow production switched over to stoneware clay which is much harder wearing for daily use kitchen pots, table- and homeware. Today Winchcombe Pottery produces a ‘Standard Range’ of over 60 wood fired pots that remains close to the original collection introduced by Cardew. It continues to create high quality, handmade, functional pottery for use in the home, whilst also supplying hotels, restaurants and galleries around the world.
The Pottery is still owned by descendants of master potter Ray Finch and the current team consists of workshop manager Matt Grimmitt, Katrin Maier, Meryn Scammell and Sarah Wood. All potters work on every stage of the making process and within all areas of the workshop, right from mixing the dry ingredients for the clay, glazes and slips, firing the wood kilns, welcoming visitors and running the on-site shop.
Over the years the pottery has employed many potters, trained students, welcomed guest craftspeople and prides itself on continuing this tradition to this day.
