The Leach Pottery

The Leach Pottery Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada Pottery, Museum, Shop and Gallery in St Ives, Cornwall, UK.
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Established by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada in 1920.

30/08/2026

Listen...the sounds of the pots cooling after glaze firing.

Some reflections of Bernard Leach in 1940 from The Potter’s Book...

“At white heat things begin to move, to warp and to bend, the roar of combustion takes on a deeper note - the heavy domes crack and the tongues of white flame dart out hereand there, the four-minute stokes fill the kiln shed with bursts of dense black smoke and fire.
Even in the East, where hand work is usual and labour specialised, a big kiln firing has the aspect of a battle field where men test themselves to the upmost against odds. This may sound like discouragement, but it is no more than the simple truth.” Bernard Leach, 1940.

30/08/2026

Listen…the sounds of the pots cooling after glaze firing.

Some reflections of Bernard Leach in 1940 from The Potter’s Book…

“At white heat things begin to move, to warp and to bend, the roar of combustion takes on a deeper note – the heavy domes crack and the tongues of white flame dart out hereand there, the four-minute stokes fill the kiln shed with bursts of dense black smoke and fire. Even in the East, where hand work is usual and labour specialised, a big kiln firing has the aspect of a battle field where men test themselves to the upmost against odds. This may sound like discouragement, but it is no more than the simple truth.” Bernard Leach, 1940.

Thank you to everyone who has joined us for creative workshops across the summer! 🌞Across parched parks of Redruth, Camb...
28/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who has joined us for creative workshops across the summer! 🌞

Across parched parks of Redruth, Camborne, Hayle and Penzance over 300 piggy banks have been made this month! We’ve seen young potters have their first opportunities to make on the wheel, experienced potters refining their skills in Bernard’s Old Studio and Community Afternoons filling the pottery garden with clay and clever creations. We’ve been lucky to work with Band of Brothers CIC and Kernow Young Carers with Barnardo's for workshops and held workshops with The Cornerstone, St Ives Library and Visitor Information and Trelya Cornwall

We look forward to firing creations and sharing details of our October Half Term programme shortly!

Roll up, roll up… it’s that time of year again. Our August bank holiday seconds sale is here! Time to sneak in those ver...
26/08/2026

Roll up, roll up… it’s that time of year again. Our August bank holiday seconds sale is here! Time to sneak in those very early handmade Christmas gifts or just treat yourself…because, why not?!

Join us in the garden from 10am - 4pm, Saturday 29th. This is onsite only and apologies but we can’t hold any reservations. Due to our building works there is currently no parking onsite, but you’ll find some spaces at St John’s in the Field church, opposite, only a few minutes walk away.

We look forward to seeing you!


It's the final week to use the 10% off discount code online on all ceramics & pottery. Just sign up to our mailing list ...
24/08/2026

It's the final week to use the 10% off discount code online on all ceramics & pottery. Just sign up to our mailing list to receive your code and enjoy browsing our Leach Standard Ware as well as a huge range of work by individual makers. Offer excludes courses, workshops, books and branded items and is only available online. Ends on 31 August...Happy browsing!
https://shop.leachpottery.com/mailing-list/

Have you made a pot with us within the last year which you need to collect on our family or community programme? We are ...
19/08/2026

Have you made a pot with us within the last year which you need to collect on our family or community programme?

We are hosting two pot collection sessions for anyone who has attended one of our community or family partnership workshops in the last year and still hasn’t been reunited with their work.

In addition to collecting work, you will also have an opportunity to practice your hand-building skills and make a tea bowl during the first session on 20 August. This is an informal, playful, independent activity. Fired outcomes will be available during October half-term.

Please come to the Leach Pottery Shop, you will then be directed to the collection room.

No booking needed

Thursday 20 Aug, 2026, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Friday 11 Sep, 2026, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Last month we held our first Glazing for Beginners: Introduction to Theory & Application course. Here you can see photos...
18/08/2026

Last month we held our first Glazing for Beginners: Introduction to Theory & Application course. Here you can see photos of the fired test tiles with the glazes the participants made. The group encountered the fundamentals of glazes from the ingredient functions and safety standards to the preparation techniques. They started by creating transparent base glazes and gradually enhanched these with oxides for cone 6-10 firing. We hope this course is the starting point for these participants to continue experimenting with making their own beautiful glazes! Thank you to everyone who made this course possible.

Should you wish to join us for our forthcoming Specialist Skills: Exploring Glazes, 4 day course, there is still availability. For full details go to our website, Learn, Adults and then search via course type for glazing.

17/08/2026

Throughout August we're offering 10% off all ceramics and pottery online. Just join our mailing list community to receive your discount code and be the first to find out about special events, the release of new courses, dates for seconds sales and all our Featured Potter promotions. Offer excludes courses, workshops, books and branded items and is only available online. Ends on 31 August. Happy exploring! https://shop.leachpottery.com/mailing-list/

What’s On with Leach’s Pottery next week? 🌞Monday 17 August, 2-4pm. Summer Community Afternoons. Drop-in🌞Monday 17 Augus...
15/08/2026

What’s On with Leach’s Pottery next week?

🌞Monday 17 August, 2-4pm. Summer Community Afternoons. Drop-in
🌞Monday 17 August, 10-4pm. Introduction to the Wheel for adults (still open for bookings)
🌞Tuesday 18 August, 10-12pm & 1.30-3.30pm. Pigs in the Park at The Cornerstone, St Ives Library and Visitor Information (fully booked)
🌞Wednesday 19 August, 10-1pm. Pigs in the Park at St Rumons, Redruth. Drop-in
🌞Thursday 20 August, Young Potter’s Throwing. (Fully booked)
🌞Thursday 20 August, 10-1pm, Pot Collection
🌞Friday 21 August, Introduction to the Wheel for adults (Fully booked)
🌞Friday 21 August, 10-12pm, Pigs in the Park, Hosted with Trelya Cornwall at Princess May Recreation Ground in Penzance

Thank you Katerina Kerouli for the photo - tools in Bernard’s Old Studio!

Today we wrap up the last day of the Young Potter’s Throwing 5 Day Throwing Course. The 14-18 year olds pushed their thr...
14/08/2026

Today we wrap up the last day of the Young Potter’s Throwing 5 Day Throwing Course. The 14-18 year olds pushed their throwing skills under the tutoring of the Learning team and Apprentice Potters. From steady centering, to pulling cylinders, throwing bowls and onto handles and decoration, the group have made an exciting body of pots that have grown from careful repetition of these new skills. Well done potters! (The accompanying music to these photos was chosen by the young potters and sums up the feeling in the studio as they worked away!)

We would love to run this course again next summer. To register your interest please email Neil at [email protected] !

Thank you to the The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making these heavily subsidised courses for young people possible.

Address

Higher Stennack
Saint Ives
TR262HE

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01736 799703

Website

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