Pottery had me Gurgling with delight (Dartmouth Pottery)

Member Name: danfreedman

Product:	Dartmouth Pottery
Date:	14/11/00 (1036 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Things to buy - things to do - and CAKE!

Disadvantages: none really

Dartmouth Pottery is situated on the road between Brixham and Dartmouth, just outside Totness. The modern unit has plenty of parking and if you read on you will understand why I think this can be an ideal place to visit with a young family come rain or shine.

All manner of decorative goods can be bought here and not just those which are products of the attached factory unit. The quality is quite high and the range astounding.

The factory itself is fascinating. Here you can see all of the items being made, through the various stages from being slip moulded, hand painted, fired and glazed. There are plenty of signs illustrating the process and the people although busy with their work have plenty of time to explain and demonstrate the fine art of commercial pottery.

Dartmouth Pottery, has something else which sets it aside from other tourist attractions. Behind the shop is a supervised area where the young and old alike can hand paint and decorate pieces of pottery. There's a small cover charge and a further charge depending upon the size of the item that you decorate (from 25p to £12+. The trained assistant provides you with a plastic coverall to keep your clothes clean. All the brushes colours and sponge stamps are provided on every table and you can paint away for as long as you like until you are happy by the outcome. When your masterpiece has been completed, it is taken into the factory where it is glazed and fired. Obviously you would not be able to take the piece away with you. You can either return two working days later, or as in our case, have the item posted to you.

And if you're not the artistic type, I recommend you pay a visit to the cafe while your partner or children turn out their works of art. They specialise in quality coffee of all types and the huge portions of cake they sell are simply delicious. - the setting is excellent - you can either watch the painters do their stuff or sit out in the conservatory
.

One special item to look out for in the shop is the Dartmouth Gurgling Jug. It is a fish shaped water container which is specially designed to make an amusing gurgling sound when you pour its contents. This was the reason why we went to the pottery in the first place, but in all the excitement we never did by one!

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