Whichford Pottery is a thriving traditional pottery whose main output is traditional flowerpots of all shapes and sizes. The pottery is a family run business and the visitor is made to feel very welcome and can wander around the site and on working days meet the potters and watch the pots being made.
The Octagon is Whichford's exhibition and indoor selling space. Here pots from their own hand thrown tableware and cookware range are sold alongside pots from well known makers such as Phil Rogers, John Jelfs, Lisa Hammond, Jack Doherty and Mark Griffiths. It really is a great exhibition space and in its short life has already hosted exhibitions by some of Britains top makers and a major 2 day event - Salt and Soda.
Their current exhibition which features the work of Devon slipware expert Clive Bowen runs until November 8th 2008, viewing these images will hopefully encourage you to visit Whichford for yourself. The wonderful old Hook Norton brewery is only a few minutes away and there are many other sites to see in this beautiful part of the world.
I nearly forgot, a current project of Jim Keeling is a huge “medieval” pie dish made for the famous chef Heston Blumenthal. As I write in October 2008, the dish is currently on view in the Octagon Gallery.
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Flowerpots in front of The Octagon Gallery
Path through the flowerpot arch leading to the Octagon Gallery
Huge paired pots at the back of the Octagon Gallery
Replica kiln showing how huge dishes would have been made in medieval times
Replica kiln close up
Huge decorated flowerpot destined for a London townhouse
Domestic ware by Jim and Dominique Keeling
Domestic ware by Jim and Dominique Keeling
Domestic ware by Jim and Dominique Keeling
Mark Griffiths pots
Phil Rogers pots
Lisa Hammond and Jack Doherty
Grasses and succulents growing in Whichford pots
Large pots drying before firing
Mark Griffiths inside, flowerpots outside
The huge medieval pie dish made for Heston Blumenthal
Freshly thrown pots drying
Pots ready for firing