Gladstone Pottery Museum

Located in a Victorian pottery factory, Gladstone museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of Stoke-on-Trent, famous the world over for the quality of its pottery. Gladstone was not a famous pottery; however, it was typical of hundreds of similar factories in the area making every day ceramic items for the mass market.

Experience for yourself what conditions were like for the men, women and children who worked at the centre of the world’s pottery industry.  Watch demonstrations of pottery skills and try your hand at throwing a pot, making a bone china flower or decorating a piece of pottery to create a unique souvenir of your visit for a small extra charge. Please call in advance to check what demonstrations will be taking place on the day of your visit.

The Tile Gallery features one of the best decorative tile collections in the country and celebrates the ways in which ceramic tiles have given beauty and colour to floors and walls over the centuries.

Flushed with Pride is a remarkable gallery dedicated to the history of the toilet and lifts the lid on the role that potters played in its development. A fun noisy, touchy feely display, kids will love it!

We also run an extensive programme of family events, talks, Ceramic Makers Markets and pottery workshops throughout the year.

The Gladstone Shop sells a wide range of gifts including studio ceramics, local paintings, children’s novelties, unusual items for the home you won’t find on the high street, as well as local history books and DVDs and pottery made and decorated at the museum.

The Gladstone Café serves hot and cold food, drinks and cakes which you can enjoy with a view of Gladstone’s cobbled courtyard. Assistance dogs admitted, group visits guided tours should be booked in advance. Please allow 2-3 hours for your visit.

The museum has a seasonal closure period from November – March but will open for special events, school groups and external hire, please check our website for information. There may be additional periods of closure due to external filming projects so please call in advance before visiting.