Please note that Wenford Bridge Pottery is now closed. Seth Cardew upped and went to Spain in 2005. Go to the website link above for further details.

Wenford Bridge Pottery was established in 1939 by Seth's father Michael Cardew (1901 to 1983). Michael Cardew started potting at Braunton in Devon in 1921. From 1923 to 1926 he worked with Bernard Leach at St Ives and then moved on to Winchcombe Pottery in Devon. Between 1942 and 1965 he spent a number of years in Ghana and Nigeria.

Seth was born in 1934 and started potting at Wenford Bridge in about 1971. Like most master potters, he produces a range of domestic ware and studio masterpieces.

Seth's son, Ara Cardew (born in 1962), is also a potter. He worked at Wenford Bridge from 1981 until 1997 when he moved to the USA.

The pottery has two wood-fired kilns, the first built in 1939 and the second in 1949/50. This is the main kiln and the original uses an updraft from the main kiln for firing biscuits. Nowadays Seth fires the main kiln about twice a year. This is a major event and potters from miles around come to help out.

Seth's work is in the Leach tradition. He runs pottery courses with accommodation available at the pottery. Make sure to book well in advance as this is a very popular venue for pottery students.

Other potters at Wenford Bridge:

Clement Kofi Athey - 1961 - 1965
Danlami Aliyu from Nigeria - 1976-1977