Burslem: Ceramic History and Historic Buildings

When choosing Burslem as your destination, you can plan your stay around two distinct themes: ceramics and historic buildings. Middleport Pottery and the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre offer different ways to explore ceramics; churches, the School of Art, Market Hall and the park add to the picture of the area’s built heritage.

Ceramics and Visitor Attractions

Middleport Pottery lies in the heart of Burslem, next to the Trent & Mersey Canal, and is listed as a Grade II* building. It is also the last working Victorian pottery in the United Kingdom with continuous production. Middleport Pottery remains the home of Burleigh Pottery. Here, both a listed building and continuing ceramic production are in focus.

Visitors can take a guided factory tour or follow a self-guided heritage trail. This lets you decide in advance whether you would like to learn about the site on a guided tour or explore it on your own along the trail. Middleport Pottery is a 15-minute walk from Longport railway station; walking time may vary depending on the route. Its location beside the canal adds a tangible connection to the local landscape.

The Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre offers a different perspective. Its museum traces the history of ceramic art through the ages; the centre also offers a factory tour and has a Grade II listed bottle kiln. The museum, tour and bottle kiln provide different points of interest if you are interested in the development of ceramics, how they are made or a preserved historic structure.

Admission to the Moorcroft Heritage Visitor Centre, shop, museum and bottle kiln is free, as is parking. The centre has ramp access, no stairs and an accessible toilet. Its annual programme also includes an opening weekend in May. If you are planning to visit specific attractions or attend that weekend, check the latest visitor information and dates in advance.

Churches, Art and Market Hall

The Roman Catholic Church of St Joseph is listed as a Grade II* building. Its elaborate interior includes works of art, mosaics and stained glass. Its listing and furnishings are two specific reasons to include this building among Burslem’s architectural attractions.

At St John the Baptist, a different feature stands out: its west tower is considered the oldest surviving building in Stoke-on-Trent. The churchyard contains memorials to Josiah Wedgwood and his family. The site thus combines a building recognised across the area with memorials dedicated to a particular family.

Burslem School of Art is a Grade II listed building. It dates from around 1905 and was designed by A R Wood. Its approximate date and named architect make it a point of comparison alongside the older churches and the industrial architecture of the pottery works.

Burslem Market Hall dates from 1879. Its original patent-glazed iron roof and original market stalls have been preserved. These details draw attention to the design of the market hall building, without assuming any particular market or event activity.

A public park as another perspective

Burslem Park offers a change of pace with a public green space. The park was laid out by Thomas H Mawson and opened in 1894. Burslem Park is also listed as a Grade II* site. In contrast to the churches, the art building and the pottery sites, the park offers another element for a stay that takes in both historic buildings and a public park.

The places mentioned offer different highlights: continuous production and visitor routes at Middleport Pottery, ceramic art and a bottle kiln at Moorcroft, as well as distinctive buildings and the public park. This overview can help you choose which themes you would like to explore further during your stay in Burslem.

Discover more destinations: Stoke On Trent

Go to the main travel overview: Stoke-On-Trent.