This month I went on a client visit to the lovely people at Whichford Pottery and spent the morning with Marketing Manager, Annabelle Jones, having a tour and learning about the history and process of Whichford Pottery.
There’s something really special about visiting a place where craftsmanship and creativity are still at the heart of everything they do. Nestled in the Warwickshire countryside, Whichford Pottery has been making handmade terracotta pots for decades and has built up a reputation for producing some of the finest designs and handthrows frostproof terracotta flowerpots in the country and worldwide. Founded by Jim & Dominique Keeling in the 1970s, the pottery combines traditional techniques with beautiful, timeless designs that are inspired by classical English gardens. It’s a real family business with Jim & Dominique’s eldest son Adam, and youngest daughter, Theodora, leading the team of over twenty-five craftsmen and women.
A highlight of the visit was touring the workshop and seeing the potters at work. Even the clay is prepared in its raw state on site before it goes through the process of being carefully shaped by hand or on a wheel. The craftsmanship is incredible — every detail is considered, and I was able to watch some of the team hand-decorating the pots with beautiful floral designs. The pots are then dried, fired in kilns, and finished using techniques that have been refined over decades.
What stood out most was how much care goes into every stage of production. Despite the pottery’s success and popularity, there’s still a genuine handmade feel to everything they create. You can really sense the pride the team has in their work.
After the workshop tour, I spent some time (ok, quite a lot of time) exploring the shop, which was full of beautiful ceramics, garden tools, and unique gifts made by arts and crafts people. I could have bought so much but was restrained and came away with a lovely fig-scented candle. In between the shop and workshop is a beautiful garden, full of plants, flowers and the Whichford pots available to purchase.
The Straw Kitchen, the on-site café, is also well worth a visit. Built by Jim & Dominique’s eldest daughter, Maria, and her partner Christine. It’s lovely and full of upcycled furniture, books and art, overlooking the garden, giving it a really homely feel. There were many homemade cakes to choose from, but on this occasion, I just enjoyed a coffee, but I’ll definitely be back for something more hearty like a bacon sarnie or Japanese pancakes.
I really enjoyed the visit to Whichford Pottery. It was fascinating to learn more about the history, craftsmanship, and passion behind the business. Whether you’re interested in gardening, pottery, or simply visiting somewhere a bit different, it’s well worth a trip. At Fisher Studios, we are fortunate to photograph these gorgeous pots, with such history behind them.
Photography by Sam Allard
