Our Guide To The Potteries Factory Tours
Dreaming of visiting Stoke-on-Trent to see your favourite pottery being made? We're sharing local knowledge and top tips to make organising your trip more enjoyable, with an overview of the different tours available.
Planning A Factory Tour
First, the most exciting part – deciding which factories you want to visit. There are currently five working potteries open to the public for tours. We always recommend booking ticket(s) in advance, to avoid any disappointment. It depends on how you’re planning to get around Stoke, but we’d recommend a maximum of two tours in one day. This is to allow enough time for the tour, take photos, and any shopping you may want to do – leaving time for travel in between, not forgetting tea and cake-based refreshments!
What To Wear For A Factory Tour
Most pottery factories in Stoke-on-Trent are big, old buildings, which means the temperatures can vary from extreme cold in winter to sudden heat in certain areas, such as the kilns and dryers. There may be multiple steps and levels, possibly with some tight spaces, so make sure to wear comfortable footwear (enclosed toes and no high heels), layer up (a jumper and/or a coat that you can easily remove) and pack light (no big, heavy bags). As these are working factories, there’s a chance you may get a little dusty or dirty.
Transport, Food & Accommodation
To find out the best way to travel around Stoke, head to the official tourist information website, Visit Stoke. If you're enjoying a slower pace during your visit and arriving by boat, there’s a handy Canal & River Trust canal route planner.
Most of the factories have a cafe and/or tearoom on-site, with a wide variety of restaurants, pubs and of course Oatcake Shops sprinkled around the city too.
Stoke-on-Trent Factory Tours
Below is a list of the different potteries currently offering factory tours.
Middleport Factory Tour (Burleigh Pottery), Burslem
A purpose-built Victorian factory, Burleigh is the last remaining manufacturer still using the traditional tissue transfer technique to decorate their ware – featuring popular intricate and floral patterns such as ‘Calico’, ‘Regal Peacock’ and ‘Asiatic Pheasants’.
The site offers a selection of shops (including the Burleigh Factory Shop), creative studios, a museum, The Packing House Café, and Clay College, and a Heritage Trail.
Book tickets for Burleigh factory tours through Re-Form Heritage.
Duchess China Tour, Longton
The latest offering on the list, ‘Beyond the Bottle Oven’ tour is new for 2026. Exploring the past, present and future of the local pottery industry. A collaboration between Duchess China 1888 Ltd and historic Gladstone Pottery Museum site – the current home of The Great Pottery Throw Down. Judge and Ceramicist, Keith Brymer Jones played a big part in supporting the launch – seen in the photo with Amy, below.
Hear stories of craftspeople and experience a Victorian Pottery, followed by a tour of the Duchess factory just across the road. Watch popular patterns such as Gladstone Blue being made, along with collections for ceramicists, designers and artists.
Just a short walk around nearby streets, you’ll discover more factories from days gone by, along with striking modern murals by local artists, celebrating the proud history of Longton and Stoke-on-Trent.
Details on how to book tickets for the tour can be found online.
Emma Bridgewater Tour, Hanley
Emma Bridgewater started her ceramic journey in 1984, after not being able to find a suitable birthday present for her Mum. In 1995, she bought a former Victorian factory – opened by J&G Meakin in 1883 and later owned by British tableware manufacturers, Johnson Brothers.
Known for her bold and bright spongeware designs, all Emma Bridgewater pottery is made from cream-coloured earthenware in Stoke-on-Trent. Mugs, tableware, kitchenware, home and living products come in a variety of designs, including popular Polka Dot, Black Toast and Pink Hearts patterns.
As well as experiencing a factory tour, there’s a decorating studio, cafe serving afternoon tea and seasonal home-cooked food, two shops, a secret garden, and a canal nearby.
Book tickets through the Emma Bridgewater website.
Moorcroft Pottery Tour, Cobridge
With its recognisable Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts tube lined colourful designs, Moorcroft was established in 1897, and the factory was built in 1913. Recently reopening its doors to the public, tours are run from their Heritage Visitor Centre.
Known for Prestige Vases, their shop has a variety of decorative bowls and miniatures, along with a newly launched Moorcroft Home textile range Seeing the artists at work, meticulously hand-painting the intricate designs created from hand-applied raised slip outlines – the same techniques used over a century ago.
Just a few minutes away by car is Ford Green Hall – a beautifully preserved Jacobean farmhouse, built in 1624. This Grade II listed building is furnished with 17th-century objects, has a period garden, and is surrounded by a nature reserve.
Reserve your space on the factory tour by calling the Moorcroft shop.
Wedgwood Factory Tour, Barlaston
Founded in 1759, Wedgwood production moved from Etruria (Stoke-on-Trent) to this current site in 1950. It’s the only place in the world that produces Josiah’s iconic Jasperware.
With so much to see and do on-site (shops, eateries, Creative Studios, V&A Wedgwood Collection), plus beautiful countryside, canals and Trentham Gardens nearby – you can easily spend the whole day (and night) at The World of Wedgwood. Away from the main ‘trail’, it may be a bit of a stretch trying to visit any other factories on the same day.
Operated by World of Wedgwood, book factory tour tickets online.
Whether you’re interested in ceramics factory tours, sampling the best Staffordshire Oatcakes or visiting the site of Great Pottery Throw Down – everything leads back to craft, culture and community.
We hope you enjoy visiting Stoke-on-Trent and going behind the scenes of our iconic pottery factories.