Sharpe's Pottery Museum

01/09/2026

Autumn is finally upon us and that can mean only one thing...

Our September themed trail is here!

Each month, we create a new trail around the museum for children and adults alike. This month, follow the falling leaves and see what you can discover amongst our collections!

The trail is just £1 per person, and everyone who takes part receives a little prize at the end!

So, grab your coats and come along for an autumnal adventure at Sharpe’s!

📅 Date: 1–30 September
🕒 Time: 10am–5pm
📍 Location: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote

31/08/2026

Our friends at Bamford's Auctioneers will be joining us again this week on Friday the 4th of September for another Antiques Valuation day. So, why not bring your items along and find out what they might be worth!

Drop in anytime between 1pm and 3pm — no booking required.

30/08/2026

Join us for a fun, hands-on family activity where children and adults alike can explore the wonderful world of clay. Guided by our friendly volunteers, you’ll learn simple techniques to mould, shape, and decorate your very own clay creations inspired by the heritage of Sharpe’s Pottery.

No previous experience needed – just bring your imagination!
Your masterpieces can be taken home the same day (air-dry clay).

Come, play, and get your hands muddy as you discover the joy of clay!

📅 Date: Wednesday 2nd September
🕒 Time: 10am-12pm (Choose from 10am or 11am entry)
🎟️ Suitable for: Families with children aged 4+ but all are welcome!
💰 Cost: £5 per person – all materials provided

29/08/2026

28/08/2026

Get creative and add a personal touch to your pottery at our Paint a Pot Workshop! Perfect for families, friends, or anyone who loves to get arty, this fun, hands-on session invites you to choose a ceramic piece and decorate it using a range of vibrant acrylic paints and brushes.

Whether you go for bold patterns, delicate designs, or something completely unique, your creation will be a lasting keepsake of your visit to Sharpe’s Pottery Museum. Our friendly team will be on hand to offer guidance and inspiration — no experience needed, just your imagination!

All materials are provided, and you’ll get to take your finished masterpiece home at the end of the session. No firing or glazing required!

📅 Date: Thursday 3rd September
🕒 Time: 10am-1pm (Choose from entry slots of 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm)
📍 Location: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote
🎟️ Suitable for: All ages and abilities
💰 Cost: Starting from £5 per person for resources and one small ceramic or hanging decoration - a variety of add-on items available for an additional charge

25/08/2026

This relaxing and creative workshop is perfect for beginners and pottery enthusiasts alike. You’ll explore basic hand-building skills — such as slab construction, joining, and texturing — and have the chance to personalise your design with traditional techniques.

Your finished piece will be left to dry, fired in a kiln, ready for you to collect and treasure.

📅 Date: Thursday 17 September
🕒 Time: 10am-1pm
📍 Location: The Glaze Room at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote
🎟️ Suitable for: Adults and older children (recommended 16+) – welcome to all!
💰 Cost: £40 per person
🎄 All materials, tools, and firing included.

Pre-booking essential: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML2X3NBEW5ESN/checkout/EOE6NEN7XMXU5DJXC273BXEC

23/08/2026

Free Family Fun Day!

Join us at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum for a free, family-friendly day of local history, crafts and creativity!

Drop in throughout the day and explore our fun, self-guided activities inspired by the history of Swadlincote and the local pottery industry. Make your own paper finger puppets, have a go at our history-themed activity sheets, and let your imagination run wild!

There’s no need to book — just come along, get creative and enjoy a fun day out for all the family.

The event coincides with Potteries Bottle Oven Day, making it a great opportunity to discover more about our local pottery heritage too.

📅 Date: Saturday 29 August
🕒 Time: 11am–3pm
📍 Location: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, Swadlincote
🎟️ Suitable for: All
💰 Cost: Free!

22/08/2026

Talks that take you back…

Swad Heritage Fest isn’t just about seeing our history — it’s about hearing the stories behind it.

Throughout the day, People Express on West Street will host a brilliant programme of FREE heritage talks, taking us back through Swadlincote and South Derbyshire’s fascinating past.

🎤 11:00am – Coal Mining
With the South Derbyshire Miners Preservation Society

🏺 12:00pm – Potteries & Pipe Yards
With Sharpe’s Pottery and Arts Museum

🚂 2:00pm – Sir Nigel Gresley
Chris Clarke from The Gresley Society will share the story of the famous railway engineer who grew up locally at Netherseal.

🎶 3:00pm – The Rink & Local Entertainment
With The Magic Attic — remembering the places, music and entertainment that helped shape generations of local memories.

Whether you remember some of these stories yourself, have family connections to our local industries, or simply want to discover more about the place you call home, come in, grab a seat and take a trip back in time.

Bring the kids. Bring the grandkids. Bring your memories. 💙

📍 People Express, West Street, Swadlincote, DE11 9DG

📅 12th September

✨ Swad Heritage Fest 2026 — celebrating the people, places and stories that made Swad what it is today.

22/08/2026

Fancy something new?

We’re currently looking for volunteers to support our Visitor Welcome and Events teams. Whether you’d like to help run our creative activities, learn more about our collections and local heritage, gain experience in events and customer service, or simply meet new people and be part of your local museum, we’d love to hear from you.

You don’t need to be an expert. All we ask is that you bring your enthusiasm and a little of your time. Every hour given by our amazing volunteers makes a real difference to the museum and our visitors.

If you’re interested in volunteering with us, you can find out more information and apply through our website below, or in-person at our museum.

www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/volunteer