Middleport Pottery — Visitor Attraction in Stoke-on-trent

Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent is a Grade II listed Victorian industrial building established in 1888 and home to Burleigh ceramics. It remains one of the UK’s last working potbanks with continuous production since its founding. The venue hosts hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, and guided tours through original factory floors featuring preserved kilns and tile displays. You can find it just off Middleport’s historic canal path, a short drive away from Stoke-on-Trent city centre, near the Caldon Canal. It's ideal for creative afternoons or quiet coffee with views of industrial heritage.

About The Venue

Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent is a Grade II listed building from 1888 with Victorian industrial architecture. All Burleigh ceramics are made on site, continuing uninterrupted production since the 19th century. The space includes original factory floors, preserved pottery kilns, and historic tile displays within large windows that allow natural light through skylights. The atmosphere is calm, with low ambient noise levels across the building. Decor follows authentic industrial vintage style, reflecting surviving elements from 19th-century manufacturing processes.

Typical Experiences

Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent offers hands-on creative workshops and interactive experiences on site. You can try pottery-making at a wheel or join live demonstrations of Burleigh production sessions. The venue is suitable for families, solo visitors, or groups looking for an educational afternoon rooted in artisan heritage. Guided tours led by volunteers provide insight into the history of continuous production. Visitors often spend time exploring original Victorian factory floors while enjoying local craft tea and coffee at food stations.

Notable Features

  • Grade II listed Victorian industrial architecture
  • Hands-on learning and pottery making experiences
  • Home of Burleigh ceramics brand
  • Original Victorian factory floor with preserved pottery kilns and tile displays
  • Interactive potter’s wheel demonstrations for visitors
  • Grade II* listed Victorian potbank
  • Burleigh pottery manufacturing
  • Victorian potbank in continuous production
  • Volunteer-led guided tours

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Information about this venue is based on publicly available sources and may be incomplete. Last updated in April 2026.