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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