John Bourdeaux Pottery

Shopping · Old Town

About John Bourdeaux Pottery

John Bourdeaux Pottery welcomes visitors to a working pottery on Old Town Lane in Old Town, Isles of Scilly.

What you find at the pottery

This is a small pottery where you can watch pots take shape and buy pieces straight from the maker. The shelves hold bowls, mugs, jugs and one-off forms, each thrown and glazed by hand on site. Because the work is made in small batches, the display changes often. Visitors can pick up a practical kitchen piece or a decorative item to take home. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried, so you can look closely at the glazes and ask about the making process. No two pieces are exactly alike, which appeals to people who want something with a personal touch. A visit here works well on a damp afternoon or as a short stop between coastal walks.

How to fit it into your day

The pottery sits on Old Town Lane, a short distance from a cluster of small farms and places to eat. Also nearby are Parting Carn Farm, Scilly Spirit, Castle Farm Shop, Carn Ithen Self Catering, Salakee Farm and 4 Bay View Terrace & Cove. You could walk to the pottery after a morning on the coast, then wander towards the farm shop for provisions. Because Old Town is compact, you will not need a long detour. The road is quiet and the pottery is easy to spot from the lane. Allow twenty minutes to browse, or longer if you plan to ask questions. Then you can continue on foot to the bay or stop for a drink nearby.

Practical notes for visitors

You can phone the pottery on the number on this listing to check opening times before you set out. The website at http://www.johnbourdeaux.co.uk/ shows recent work and gives a sense of the style. If you are staying on St Mary’s, the pottery is a simple stop from Hugh Town or the east side of the island. Buses run to Old Town, but walking is also pleasant along the quiet lanes. Keep in mind that stock changes with each firing, so what you see on one visit may not appear again. That makes a purchase feel more special. If you like handmade goods, this pottery adds a calm, creative note to a day of walking, shopping and eating around Old Town.

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