Leach Pottery
The birthplace of studio pottery in Britain. Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, it preserves a Japanese-style kiln, and visitors can both browse and buy its work.
After studying in Japan, Leach returned to St Ives with Shoji Hamada and founded the pottery, bringing Eastern ceramic ideas to Britain. The preserved original workshop, a traditional Japanese three-chamber climbing kiln, and the showroom display works by Leach and his successors. Potters still work on site, and the shop sells standard tableware. Admission is about £8, and pottery taster sessions are often available. It lies about 1.5 km southwest of the town center, roughly a 20-minute uphill walk.
Opening hours
About 10:00–17:00 (may close Sundays and Mondays in winter)
Nearby sights
- Tate St Ives
- Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden
- Porthmeor Beach
- St Ia's Church
- Porthminster Beach
- St Ives Harbour & Smeaton's Pier
- The Island & St Nicholas Chapel
- Carbis Bay