Spode Works

No theme park today, instead we headed into Stoke on Trent for a look round. We ended up going to the Spode Works for a look at the visitor centre and free tour. Although Staffordshire in general is famed for it's potteries, Spode was the last of the major ones, up until it's closure and subsequent buyout by Portmeirion in 2008 to continue to produce pottery on the site of it's original factory.

They primarily made their name for two significant advances at the end of the eighteenth century, the first was underglaze blue transfer printing and the second was perfecting a formula for bone china which allowed for mass production of thinner, whiter and more translucent pottery than ever before. They were also famous for producing wares for Arctic Exhibitions and the White Star Line including the crockery for the RMS Titanic.

It was a fascinating visit, which was topped off with a tour of some of the remaining areas of the factory and being able to but a 50s Spode Flemish Green Coffee Set for the bargain price of £25.

If you're in Stoke on Trent I'd highly recommend a visit.