The Leach Pottery

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

Established by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada in 1920.

Take a look at some pieces by Amy Wilson, ahead of her first solo exhibition at the Leach Pottery.Throughout her three-y...
22/10/2026

Take a look at some pieces by Amy Wilson, ahead of her first solo exhibition at the Leach Pottery.

Throughout her three-year apprenticeship, Amy has been exploring different forms, glazes and surface patterns. We’re looking forward to bringing this work together for her first solo exhibition, Amy Wilson: An Apprenticeship.

The exhibition opens with a preview on Friday 30 October, 5–7pm. All are welcome, and the work will be available to purchase on the evening. The exhibition will then continue in the Shop from 31 October – 14 November, and online from 11 December.

We look forward to welcoming you!

✨Work Experience Opportunity for 14-18 year olds✨The Leach Pottery seeks a group of young people to take up work experie...
21/10/2026

✨Work Experience Opportunity for 14-18 year olds✨
The Leach Pottery seeks a group of young people to take up work experience placements from Monday 19 – Friday 23 July 2027

While we understand this set week for the placement may not suit everyone, it allows us to offer the fullest experience for the young people possible.

What will I encounter during my work experience?

An understanding of the Leach Pottery as a business and workplace

An introduction to clay hand-building processes

An introduction to the potter’s wheel

Undertake an independent study task which touches on marketing, planning and researching

Working with community groups making pottery accessible to local people who would otherwise face barriers to accessing the pottery

An understanding of the Leach Pottery history

An insight to the firing, pugging and glazing requirements of the pottery process

How to plan a workshop

Please see our website (click through Learning, Schools, Work Experience) to find out more and see the application form. https://www.leachpottery.com/work-experience-at-the-leach-pottery

This week, we are pleased to offer 10% off our Featured Potter, Harriet Coleridge. Harriet’s direction of travel as a po...
19/10/2026

This week, we are pleased to offer 10% off our Featured Potter, Harriet Coleridge.

Harriet’s direction of travel as a potter has taken her from the precision of tin-glazed earthenware fired in an electric kiln to the wilder shores of throwing stoneware and porcelain and firing in wood-fired anagama kilns.

Whilst relatively unpredictable, the effects of anagama firing are not random; there is always a balance between intention and chance. The placing of the pots – in relation to the path of the flame - the type of wood used, and the length of the firing all affect the outcome.

These pots are not glazed (on the outside); they are decorated by flame, fly ash and embers. The textures created by these elements vary dramatically according to the mineral content of the clay. Some have been fired in a kiln near Oxford; others in a kiln in the Charente, France.

Visit our website, or our St.Ives Shop to explore the collection.

💫Leach Sessions: Rock Glazes with Matthew Blakely Join us in getting hands-on with the materials used to make ceramic gl...
15/10/2026

💫Leach Sessions: Rock Glazes with Matthew Blakely

Join us in getting hands-on with the materials used to make ceramic glazes. Matthew will guide you through finding and preparing rocks and minerals, working with wood ash and local clays, and testing materials to see how they behave in the kiln.

Explore the opportunity to experiment with practical sessions, glaze testing and talks covering the geology and science behind the materials. You’ll leave with your own glaze and clay tests, along with the knowledge to continue experimenting at home.

This course is suitable for potters with an interest in developing their understanding of glazes and working with natural materials.

💫We are also offering..

Geology for Potters: An Afternoon Talk. Wednesday 11 November, 4.30–6pm

If you’d like to hear more about Matthew’s work, you can join him for an afternoon talk about his journey with clay, the origins of his practice and how he uses rocks and minerals collected from the British landscape to make his pots.

Matthew is the author of Rock Glazes Unearthed, a much-loved book on making glazes from local materials. The talk will finish with a Q&A and time to chat over drinks and snacks. £5 per person

For more details, visit our website. Link in bio.

This week, enjoy 10% off all work by Simon Kneebone. Simon learnt his craft at Parade Mews Studios in South London and d...
12/10/2026

This week, enjoy 10% off all work by Simon Kneebone.

Simon learnt his craft at Parade Mews Studios in South London and draws influence from Japanese, Korean, and British studio pottery, particularly from his hometown of St. Ives.

Working with stoneware clay and occasionally porcelain, he focuses on simple forms and makes work that is intuitive, functional, and pleasing to the eye.

The action of throwing a pot will leave behind indelible marks from the potter’s hands and mind. Where possible, these marks are left on the pots, providing a link between the ball of clay and its final vitrified form.

Visit our website to view all pots by Simon and get 10% off.

💫There’s still time to get 10% off Popalini & Jezando’s work💫Their wood-fired pots have beautiful, rugged textures and s...
10/10/2026

💫There’s still time to get 10% off Popalini & Jezando’s work💫

Their wood-fired pots have beautiful, rugged textures and stone-like surfaces, combining the pottery traditions of North Devon with the simple forms they admired while working in Japan.

Enjoy 10% off until 12 October. Visit our website to explore the collection.
https://shop.leachpottery.com/potter/popalini-jezando/

🍂Upcoming courses at the Leach Pottery✨Form & Function, 5 Day Throwing CourseA practice-based throwing course for beginn...
09/10/2026

🍂Upcoming courses at the Leach Pottery

✨Form & Function, 5 Day Throwing Course
A practice-based throwing course for beginners, as well as those with some throwing experience looking to improve their skills and techniques.
12–16 Oct: 1 space left
9–13 Nov: 2 spaces left
30 Nov–4 Dec: 1 space left
7–11 Dec: 1 space left

✨Leach Sessions: Rock Glazes with Matthew Blakely
Explore how rocks and natural materials can be used in pottery glazes. Matt will look at the different qualities of rocks, how to process them and how to test them for use in pottery.
9–13 Nov: 7 spaces left

✨Alongside the course, Matt will also give an afternoon talk about his journey with clay and his interest in combining geology and pottery.
Wednesday 11 November, 4.30–6pm: 7 spaces left

✨In Focus: Mugs, 3 Day Course
A chance to explore mug making through repetition, starting with the Leach Pottery Standard Ware mug. Look at proportion, balance and function while developing your own forms.
7–9 Dec: 4 spaces left

Find out more and book via our website.

✨The Leach Pottery is delighted to present Amy Wilson’s first solo show, marking her graduation from the Pottery’s three...
08/10/2026

✨The Leach Pottery is delighted to present Amy Wilson’s first solo show, marking her graduation from the Pottery’s three-year Apprenticeship.✨

Amy’s pots focus on use and enjoyment, grounded in thrown and slab-built forms comprising jars, bottles, teapots, mugs, plates, bowls and yunomis.

Her work spotlights lines, angles and generous curves, that are decorated with stamps, thick slips and brushwork. “These pots are a visual representation of what I’ve learned over the past three years. It has been an intensive experience - in a fun way. I’ve gained many new skills in a space where people are so dedicated and that’s really inspiring”.

You can view Amy’s work at her Preview on Friday 30 October 2026, 5–7pm, where all works will be available to purchase. The exhibition will then continue in the Shop from 31 October – 14 November 2026, and online from 11December 2026 – 22 January 2027. Follow Amy’s exhibition on our social media, and sign up to our newsletter for updates and news from the Leach Pottery.

07/10/2026

🫖A little behind the scenes of our tiny teapots 🫖

The Learning team are making the tiny spouts that will finish off your hand-built teapots!

In the session, you will build the basic shape of your teapot, then add your own handle, make a lid and finish it off with a tiny spout. Play around with the shapes and styles of your tiny teapots, get creative and see what you can make.

🔅St Ives Community Orchard
Monday 26 October, 1.30–3pm
12 spaces available

🔅Thursday 29 October, 11am–12.30pm
8 spaces available

Booking available via our website.

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
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

01736 799703

Website

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