Posted on January 27, 2023
Homewares shopping in The Cotswolds is an interiors lover’s dream pastime, from browsing antiques to discovering artisan workshops hidden among the rolling hills. If you're a particular fan of ceramics however, then here’s a list of our favourite shops in The Cotswolds (which you can browse in-store or online), where you can find gorgeous ceramics for your home.
OKA - Broadway Store
OKA is all about effortless British style, and curate a gorgeous treasure trove of designs from artisans all across the world to their store in Broadway. They have a vast assortment of ceramics to match any particular taste, but the Kraakware and Isphahan China collections are completely unique finds and our favourites in the collection.
The Kraakware China features dinner ware and fine tea sets in a beautiful, crisp blue-and-white hand-painted pattern which is a near-exact replica of Ming- and Qing-period pottery.
Isphahan China’s tableware, lamps, vases and plenty more are adorned with a stunning floral motif, a design adapted from ancient Persian ceramics.
Winchcombe Pottery
For a little slice of ceramics history in The Cotswolds, a visit to Winchcombe Pottery which has existed since 1800 is a must. Known as previously as Greet Potteries, it produced a range of farmhouse ware up until the First World War and had an on again, off again structure up until 1946. Throughout its history and as it’s passed down from owner to owner, the pottery has trained potters and supplied tablewares to local restaurants.
Today, Winchcombe Pottery still holds pottery classes and creates quality hand thrown pottery for use in the home. The buying experience feels wholly bespoke. After selecting your pieces, you can choose from their glaze options which include dark, gloss, decorative glazes to a light semi-matt glazes for a more muted, but still gorgeous look.
You can browse their store online, but it’s highly recommended you visit their workshop near Cheltenham to see their full range of natural, gorgeous ceramics.
Cotswold Grey & Eliza May Pottery
One of the things we love about Cotswolds Grey, is that they often work with local artisans to create unique collections for their store. It’s a great way to discover and support smaller businesses in the area and their collaboration with Eliza May Pottery to create timeless vases, cups and jugs is one of our absolute favourites.
Eliza May Pottery was founded in 2018, born from a love of The Cotswolds and a passion for the craft. Her collection for Cotswold Grey is inspired by the organic shapes and neutral tones of the Cotswolds, to capture the serenity of the rolling hills. Each piece is handmade by Eliza on her pottery wheel in her home studio and comes with her signature hand-stamped logo. If you’re looking for a little piece of The Cotswolds in ceramics form, Eliza’s pottery is definitely worth picking up.
Toff Milway Pottery
Toff Milway is an amazingly talented potter, creating elegant, salt-glazed ceramics for lovers of food and gardening. As a member of both The Craft Potters Association of Great Britain and Gloucestershire Guild of Craftmen, his pieces are intricate and a real work of art.
The salt-glaze he uses also makes his ceramics unique. Salt-glazing is unusual ceramic process whereby the outside of a clay pot is melted into a glaze by salt at very high temperatures. This technique leads to the dramatic surface textures that is characteristic of salt-glaze, from coarse orange peel on a sanded body to the subtle lustre on a smooth clay body.
Online you’ll find a small selection of items available for purchase including jugs, mugs and planters - but as the majority of his pieces are unique and individual items, it’s best to explore the full collection with a visit to the pottery.
Neptune - Cheltenham store
Neptune are British designers and makers and one of our go-tos for joyful, artisan, quality furniture, lighting and accessories for the whole home. We especially love perusing their ceramic vases in the Cheltenham store. All rustic in design, with antique, distressed crackle glaze and terracotta underneath to bring a warm feel to any interiors.