After a good night’s sleep at the Peak Edge Hotel, we popped down to the restaurant to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. I couldn’t resist my favourite of smashed avocado and poached eggs on toast whilst my husband started the day with a Derbyshire which also looked delicious.
Two cappuccinos later and we were ready to start the day and were soon setting off in the car towards the village of Ripley, home to the Denby Pottery Village.
It took just 35 minutes to reach there from the hotel and with large free car parks, we had no problems finding anywhere to park. We’d arranged to participate in the Full Denby Experience with our first activity being Paint a Pot in the craft studio.
I can’t admit to having any artistic abilities but I was keen to have a try. First we had to decide whether we wanted to paint a plate, dish or jug. My initial thoughts were to go with the milk jug but decided against it as I thought it would have been more difficult being curved and vertical. Dinner plates it was and we sat down at one of the tables with a set of brushes.
We were provided with pots of Denby glaze paints and a damp sponge in case we went wrong and needed to re-do a section. The painting experience was very enjoyable and we both ended up with plates to be proud of. We couldn’t take them home that day as they needed to be taken to be fired before they were ready for use. Arrangements can be made to collect them the following week or to have them posted out.
After painting our plates we joined one of the Denby Factory Tours (Tues-Thurs only). Here we got to go behind the scenes to take a look around the working pottery to watch the craftspeople in action.
We learnt that it takes at least 20 pairs of hands to make every piece of Denby and we viewed each process taking place in all areas of the factory. We discovered that it takes around two weeks to create a single piece and we came across new pottery making terms including sponging, jollying and fettling.
The tour lasts an hour and involves walking, standing and climbing stairs so for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues it is recommended to take part in the Denby Discovery Experience instead which covers the factory processes with information boards, video and props in an accessible setting.
After touring the factory we then went back in time to learn about the history of Denby by taking a tour of the Denby Museum. This contains glass cabinets filled with iconic designs covering different eras of production. The exhibition area follows the journey of the famous Derbyshire pottery from 1809 through 200 years of history when local entrepreneur William Bourne discovered the strength and quality of the local clay.
He set up a factory in nearby Belper employing local craftspeople before moving to its current location in nearby Ripley. It was interesting to view how the handcrafted stoneware designs have evolved through the years with displays showing the fashions of each decade. I particularly liked the scaled down replicas that were produced for salesmen to take around to showcase to potential buyers. A clever idea and much easier than carrying round heavy, large items.
After our tour of the museum we were ready for some lunch and with the craft studio, museum, restaurant, factory shop and gift shops all being centred around a courtyard, it’s easy to get around. We enjoyed lunch in Bourne’s Coffee Shop and Bistro with a chicken casserole and steak pie. The cafe is self service and well organised as when you have found a table you simply turn over the laminated menu so that it says reserved then go and select your food.
We ended up with big platefuls as there were lots of fresh vegetables to accompany our meals. The food is reasonably priced, freshly prepared and tasted very good. There is also a hot drink and cake counter with some irresistible cakes to choose from.
After our hearty lunch we then had time to pop into the gift and farm shops before our final activity of the day which was Throw a Pot. This took place at one end of the Craft Studio where we rolled up our sleeves, put on plastic aprons and removed our watches so that they didn’t get splattered in clay. We then sat at the potters wheels, it’s a bit like riding a horse as you sit astride a wooden seat with a foot pedal to one side for operating the wheel.
After watching a demonstration by Scarlett, who made it all look so easy we were ready to start. We were given dome shaped lumps of clay which we needed to bang into the centre of the wheel. Then keeping our hands wet we cupped the clay firmly as we turned the wheel. Scarlett explained that it was necessary to keep the clay flexible so that it could be stretched and elongated into shape. It actually felt quite therapeutic as the clay formed into a cylinder.
Next we had to gently press two fingers into the centre to create a hole. The clay then needed to be widened by pulling outwards whilst bringing the sides up. With a little help my lump of clay had transformed into a respectable looking bowl to take home with me.
After getting cleaned up, we went for a look around the factory shop which is arranged over two floors and stocks a vast range of Denby stoneware both perfect and slight seconds. We were tempted into buying several items which were carefully wrapped and placed in a box at the till for us to safely transport back home.
On leaving the pottery we continued on to Bakewell, a picturesque town and the largest in the Peak District National Park. Its streets are lined with mellow, stone buildings filled with interesting small shops and cafes. Many of the shops sell hiking equipment as Bakewell is an ideal base for walking holidays in the surrounding countryside.
The town is also famous for its tarts and puddings and we passed the Original Bakewell Pudding Shop where we had sampled their delicious local delicacies on a previous visit.
Instead of Bakewell tarts, this visit to the town was to learn about its beer, so we hopped back in the car for the short drive to Thornbridge Brewery, independently owned and located on the edge of town. We’d come to take part in the Thornbridge Experience (£15), a 45 minute talk about the history of the brewery followed by a video of the production process and ending with tutored tastings of a selection of six of their beers.
Though not quite the same as an actual tour around a brewery, the experience was well organised and very informative. As it is limited to a small group size of 12 there are ample opportunities for discussion with the knowledgeable brewer about the workings of Thornbridge.
We learnt that the brewery started life in 2004 in outbuildings on the 100 acre Thornbridge Hall estate with the production of Lord Marples, its first beer which continues to be popular today. Their next brew, an IPA called Jaipur received rave reviews and won many awards, so much so that demand outstripped supply and new premises were needed. In 2009 the brewery moved to its current state-of-the-art site where it has been expanding ever since.
The experience took place in a corner of the Tap Room which is reminiscent of a German beer hall. It’s a vibrant place with a buzzing atmosphere and family friendly. Both cask and keg beers are on offer alongside freshly baked pizzas all available from 12.00 noon each day.
There’s also a shop where you can select and take home beers or for those living further afield a dedicated website for online orders.
Well, what a day we’d had exploring two of Derbyshire’s successful companies and learning a little about ceramics and beer. The wintry weather might not have been great but we found plenty to keep us entertained indoors.
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A fun way to spend a day. And I do love Bakewell tarts 🤗🌸
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Visiting Denby Pottery was great fun Jo and you can’t go to Bakewell without sampling a tart. I adore anything containing almond! Thanks for your interest Jo. Your comments are much appreciated.
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🤗🌸
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I can remember when Denby pottery was very ‘fashionable’ although it’s such a classic brand that has stood the test of time. I would enjoy every aspect of the visit you described. I’m not sure I’d be able to produce a bowl as impressive as yours. I’ll expect to see you on the Great Pottery Throw Down next year! To follow this experience with Bakewell and a brewery sounds like the perfect day!
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I did have a little help with my bowl but was pleased with the end result at Denby Pottery. Spending a few hours there was so enjoyable June.
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A very fun filled day, you made a very nice bowl, something for your morning cereal. Another picture postcard village
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It was a real fun filled day Alison and making the bowl and painting the plate were great reminders to bring back home with me. Thanks for your interest.
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And you even made a plate!
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Yes, a lovely reminder of our visit!
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A truly picturesque and delightful anecdote woven in vibrant moments of lively experiences flows like a tansparent mountain brook.
An absolute reader’s delight .
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Thank you for your interest in this post.
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Is that your first time making pottery!? That bowl looks really good 😊
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It was my second time Maggie(once previously at Wedgwood). It was messy but great fun but I think my creative talents lie more with writing than making and painting pottery ! Our bowls are now sitting on the kitchen windowsill as a lovely souvenir of our visit.
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I would love to try pottery throwing on the wheel. Looks so fun! And it looks like your meals were very filling and scrumptious!
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Thanks Amanda, pottery throwing was messy but great fun. It was a delightful winter weekend.
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Oh I love Denby – we have our best two sets being Denby blue 🙂 It would be cool to have a go making some, you look pretty good at it (mine would be a total mess). A perfect peak district weekend break 🙂
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Denby Blue is lovely Hannah. I enjoyed making the bowl and painting a plate but had to admit to a bit of help at the potters wheel! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it means a lot.
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We’ve been to the Denby outlet factory several times and our cupboards are well-stocked! Recently noticed some plates are getting chippped & wondered if it was time to take a trip there again. Plenty to choose from and we’ve been known to spend a long time choosing! I did main course pottery as part of my teacher training course but was a far more proficient hand potter than with throwing on the wheel – but learning about clay, glazes, firing etc. was fascinating and the fruits of my creativity still lurk on shelves and windowsills in our house!
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It’s lovely to hear from you Joyce and to discover that you are a fan of Denby pottery and of your skills as a hand potter. Visiting Denby Pottery Village is such a nice day out with its shopping, cafe, museum, craft studio and factory tour!
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Never heard of Denby clay, but it sounds like the perfect ingredient to make some beautiful pottery! Sounds like an artsy time in Derbyshire, and a lovely weekend break!
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It was great fun having a go on the potters wheel and then painting our own plates. It will be great to use them at home sometimes as a reminder of our visit.
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Beautiful pottery, and that is so cool that you could make your own creation as well!
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It was so much fun having a go at making our own bowls and then painting plates. A great souvenir to return home with. Thanks Allie for your interest and comments.
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Marion this pottery workshop was so fascinating. It is wonderful place where you made these clay dishes. We have a pottery here in Nova Scotia but I can’t do this ? You have so much fun at this brewery ! Thanks Anita
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Thanks Anita for your interest in our visit to Denby Pottery and Thornbridge Brewery. They were both very interesting,
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The thing about pottery is that each item is unique … so nowhere else in the world is a plate like yours (which, may I add, looks lovely). Derbyshire pottery is also beautiful – as your own bowl (I’m not so sure I would have managed that)! I would have had a hard time choosing between the hiking stores and Pudding Shop … although, the Thornbridge Brewery looks like a lovely place to pass the time 😉.
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It was so interesting to explore the pottery factory and museum then to try our hands at painting plates and throwing pots. Such lovely memories of our visit. Bakewell is also a delightful small town and ending the day with a brewery tour and tastings very nice indeed. Thanks so much for your interest and kind words Corna.
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How fun to get to put your creativity to work while also see the factory and museum! I love that it is a whole experience. I love the plate you painted 🙂
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The Denby Pottery Experience was great fun and very interesting Meg. My artistic abilities are limited but I did enjoy painting my plate and creating a small bowl on the potters wheel. Thanks for commenting.
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Another interesting stopover. Thanks for sharing.
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Visiting the pottery and brewery made for a very interesting day. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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Pottery and beer, an interesting combination. Somehow I feel I would have more success with paint a pot than at the potter’s wheel. I have tried the Jaipur IPA, it is absolutely delicious. I would give just about anything to have that steak pie plate teleported to our apartment tonight.
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The steak pie was delicious and if I lived near Denby Pottery I think I would be calling in for my lunch quite often. I’m not exactly a dab hand with a paint brush but enjoyed decorating the plate and trying my hand at the potters wheel. My husband is a big fan of Jaipur IPA, I hadn’t tried it before but I thought it was delicious too so we bought some to take home. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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The Denby Pottery tour and plate painting, the museum, and throwing a pot would be so much fun! I think I could spend an entire day in the village. Mike would love the brewery tour. I would also love Bakewell as the pudding shop looks so quaint. I would guess that the rest of the town is just as quaint. I enjoyed the post, Marion, and I look forward to another adventure on your coat tails!
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It was such a fun day Kellye at Denby Pottery Village and I’m so pleased we were able to return home with our painted plates and pot thrown bowls. Bakewell is a gorgeous small town with all of its buildings constructed from local stone. Whether it’s sampling puddings or beer it’s a lovely place to visit. Thanks so much for your interest.
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What a crafty day. Of all the crafts, I like craft beer the best. 😊Good on you for trying your hand at painting and throwing a pot. We loved our 2017 visit to Bakewell, but missed out on the craft beer experience. Thanks for sharing Marion. Allan
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I think my husband would agree at liking craft beer best! It was all very enjoyable despite us not having great artistic skills! Thanks for your welcome thoughts Allan.
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How fun! I am not good with painting/pottery but I’ve always wanted to try one of those pottery wheels. I see a lot of people do a painting and wine night that looks fun. Always great to end the day at a brewery too 🙂
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The pot throwing was messy but great fun and I enjoyed painting the dinner plate despite not being very good with a paint brush, just as well the beer tasting was at the end of the day otherwise clay could have been flying everywhere! Thanks for commenting Lyssy,
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My, you were busy, Marion. You threw a great pot too. Probably best to do that before the beer tasting.
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I hadn’t thought about it but you are quite right, after 6 samples of beer I can’t imagine great pot throwing. Unlike you, I’m lacking in artistic talent but was pleased with how our plates turned out! Thanks so much for reading and commenting Shane.
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It certainly sounds like you had the full experience at the Denby Pottery Village. How fun that you even got to paint a plate in the studio and got a closer look at some of the experts in action. I had no idea that it takes two weeks to create a single piece.
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Painting a plate and having a go on the potters wheel was great fun in the Denby Pottery studio and despite not having much artistic talent I’ll cherish both the plates and dishes we produced! Thanks do much for your interest and comments Linda.
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Attending a pottery workshop looks like heaps of fun. I think that making pottery takes you back to your primal instincts by working with and creating functional and practical items by hand. There’s something about feeling the clay between your fingers that is really freeing and enjoyable, taking you back to your childhood when getting muddy was what it was all about. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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The pottery workshop was very interesting and lots of fun and feeling the clay between our fingers was both messy and fun. It was lovely to have both a dish and a plate to return home with. Thanks so much for your interest Aiva.
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I love this kind of hands-on experience. You may enjoy a book I just read about pottery called ‘Thrown’ by Sara Cox. Lovely post.
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Thanks for your interest in our visit to Denby Pottery. It was great fun learning how to throw a pot and to and to paint our very own plates. I’ll look into the book you suggest.
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A hugely instructive day!
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Thanks Sheree. It was great fun taking part in the experiences at Denby Pottery and then visiting Thornbridge Brewery.
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