Our story begins in 1809 when a seam of clay was found at Denby during the construction of a road to link the industrial towns of Derbyshire. William Bourne, a local entrepreneur, examined the clay and recognised its exceptional qualities. Production of salt-glazed pottery started at Denby in 1809 from a number of small buildings on the site of the clay bed and it is at this same site that Denby Pottery is still made today.
Around the pottery, were various ‘out buildings’, previously used as workshops to support the Pottery, each having various uses such as the Boiler House, Carpenters Workshop and Crate Makers and the use of these buildings evolved over the years. In 1993 the site underwent a massive transformation to form the current Denby Pottery Village Visitor Centre, which was opened by HRH Duke of Gloucester, the new centre included a brand new Denby Store, Denby Museum and café. For over 90 years Denby had been taking visitors on tours of the pottery and Denby Pottery Village provided a welcoming hub for the local community as well as visitors from across the globe.
THEN: Craft Maker's Workshop
NOW: The Farm Shop
Denby Pottery Village is centred around a courtyard framed by 'outbuildings’ which were previously workshops to support the Pottery and had various uses such as the Boiler House, Carpenters Workshop and Crate Makers. These ‘out buildings’ underwent a massive transformation to form the Visitor Centre and although the front facade of these buildings looks the same as they always have - the internal structure was unrecognisable after the building works. The Farm Shop: Eighty years ago the Farm Shop was the willow Crate Makers Workshop. Crates to despatch Denby products were produced from willow which grew at the back of Denby Pottery Village. As Denby couldn't make enough crates to despatch its popular ceramics, the pottery also used willow crates made locally. This building is now where the The Farm Shop is today.
THEN: Craft Maker's Workshop
NOW: The Farm Shop
Denby Pottery Village is centred around a courtyard framed by 'outbuildings’ which were previously workshops to support the Pottery and had various uses such as the Boiler House, Carpenters Workshop and Crate Makers. These ‘out buildings’ underwent a massive transformation to form the Visitor Centre and although the front facade of these buildings looks the same as they always have - the internal structure was unrecognisable after the building works.