The future of the Leach Pottery
For over 100 years, the Leach Pottery has been a place where people come to learn, make, and share ideas—locally and globally. Founded by Bernard Leach and Shōji Hamada, who arrived in St Ives from Japan in 1920, their ideas continue to influence studio ceramics across the world. Today, the Leach Pottery celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and connection through clay.
We’re now redeveloping the site to support the next century of making. This project will create dedicated spaces for learning, production, and community, designed to recognise our heritage while opening up new possibilities for everyone who works with or visits the Pottery.
This work is supported by the St Ives Town Deal, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Wolfson Foundation and the Headley Trust.
Views of the plans and current building work on site
What’s Changing
• A new Learning Centre for more school classes, workshops, and public programmes
• A purpose-built production studio that will help us expand our standard ware ranges and train potters of the future through an extensive apprentice programme
• A welcoming space with a reception and refreshments bar
• An expanded museum with a new introduction gallery, an in-focus exhibition space, hands-on exhibits, and a visitor trail
• A refreshed, accessible shop in the historic Pottery Cottage
• A temporary exhibition gallery for the display and sales of contemporary ceramics
• Better facilities for visiting artists, researchers and makers
Artist’s impressions of the new museum interpretation
Why It Matters
The investment from multiple funders will help us evolve as a place where people can explore clay—whether they’re learning about our history, making, teaching or volunteering. We aim to:
• Share the historic importance of Leach Pottery as part of the creative community of St Ives, as well as its role at the centre of a global movement of potters
• Encourage creativity, personal growth, well-being or rehabilitation through hands-on engagement with clay
• Create more chances for young people to learn and develop skills through education and local partnerships
• Create job opportunities and more chances to join in with all aspects of our activity
• Offer the best creative facilities for local communities
• Support sustainability and year-round activity by reducing our carbon footprint and welcoming visitors in every season
The site, as it stands, is confusing and limiting. The buildings have grown over time, and the project will bring everything together in a more sensitive, coordinated way. This redesign is based on 17 years of experience running the Pottery as a working heritage site.
What the Project will make possible
• More jobs for skilled makers, more apprenticeships, more pathways to formal education and employment
• A bigger and better community programme with more classes and projects for families and special interest groups
• Support for local creative businesses through mentoring and international connections
• A stronger schools programme with space for more students and better experiences
• Year-round education programmes that welcome visitors from near and far
• A reduced environmental impact through greener technologies
• A better understanding of our history and its importance to the town, Cornwall and British crafts
Libby Buckley, Director of the Leach Pottery talks about the project Libby Buckley, Ellen Love and Matt Foster talk about the project
What is happening onsite?
• We’re continuing our community consultation events—also check our Live Updates page for the latest
• A temporary Kiln Shed has been built so we can keep making Standard Ware (our traditional tableware that has been made on site since the 1940s)
• Phase 1: Our new Learning & Production Centre began construction in April 2024 and will open in early 2026 with a Pop-Up shop and a range of new courses
• Phase 2: Restoration of historic buildings, the development of the museum and shop and creation of a new entrance will start in early 2026
• The full project will be complete by Autumn 2026
Get involved
We have created a Pottery Development Forum for anyone who wants to help us get the best from our project. If you would like to find out more and are interested in joining the Pottery Development Forum, please contact Libby Buckley: director@leachpottery.com
