9th October
First up this morning we drove the hours drive up to Stroke-on-Trent, home to the Wedgwood factory.
In Barlaston, just outside Stroke-on-trent, the home of Wedgwood, World of Wedgwood. Here you can visit the museum, walk through the factory, browse the shops and enjoy a pot of tea.
The factory tour allows you to observe the Wedgwood craftsmen at work in the heart of the Potteries, utilising unique artisan skills and techniques honed over 250 years. We didn't realise how much work went into each individual piece of Wedgwood design. The tour offers an indepth view of all aspects of quality ceramic production including casting, figure making, pattern decorating and hand painting, ornamentation and gilding. Each handle of items such as the cups and tea pots are hand fitted to the pottery. Each embellishment on the plate hand pounded into a mould, removed and placed upon the item itself by a team of craftsmen. On average 14,500 pieces are made each week, which is not a lot when you realize this factory supplies the entire world.
Walking through the shops after finishing the factory tour, there was lots to buy and lots that was way out of our price range! Next Door was the Wedgwood Museum and Collection. It is one of the most important industrial collections in the world and a unique record of over 250 years of British ceramic production.
After our morning of education we decided to stop for a cup of tea in the 'Dining Room'. Served in a Wedgwood tea pot and Wedgwood cups and saucers of course!
Heading home, we took the long way and stopped at the towns of Stone, Rugeley, and Stafford, rather than taking the direct route of the motorways home. It quickly became dark and when the main street shops closed at 5pm we headed to Sainsbury's to buy some things for dinner. We had stopped at the local farm shop yesterday and bought some homemade bacon and sausages. The bacon we are last night but we had the sausages tonight and needless to say they were delicious!
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