Wedgwood Museum and Tea Rooms

I wanted to go to Wedgwood Museum and tea rooms for a while, and earlier this month I finally went there. We’ve planned to go to a restaurant that day, so we’ve only ordered cream tea at Wedgwood. See more on worldofwedgwood.com.

The Tea Conservatory looks lovely decorated. As we went to Wedgwood during the weekend, it was busy. Also, we weren’t able to take on a factory tour as the employees aren’t working on the weekends. I’ve had such a lovely time, that I want to visit the Wedgwood museum again and see the factory too.

We’ve picked two different types of tea. I went for Oriental Jewel. It is a black tea with sandalwood, juniper berries, and pine. My husband tried Blue Pagoda, on Oolong tea with mango and jasmine. I think both teas were delicious. The scones were a bit biscuit-like, maybe they had too much butter for my taste. They were nice though, just not what I prefer.

After having tea and scones, we went to the Wedgwood Museum. I wanted to know more about the history of Wedgwood. It is a very old brand, started by Josiah Wedgwood in 18th century. Josiah’s father died and his business was inherited by his eldest son, Thomas. Josiah was an apprentice to his brother. He worked in the family pottery until 1752.

This gorgeous vase dates back to the 1790s. It is made from blue jasper. For me, Jasper is what I associate with Wedgwood, thus my Wedgwood vase is blue Jasper. I love it.

This stunning vase is made from earthenware and is from 1765, signed by George Stubbs.

Josiah Wedgwood picture is an enamel on a ceramic tablet, dated 1780.

All these vases are from 1770s. From the Queen’s ware collection, getting its name because it was delivered to the Queen. He was also allowed to call himself “Potter to Her Majesty”. It proved to be very popular.

Plaque is showing Josiah’s home, Etruria Hall, completed in 1769.

Josiah was keen on making all sorts of experiments. This wooden tray shows one of his trials. Each piece has a number marked on it, that correspondents to his experiment book. The pieces are from 1773-1776.

Josiah was concerned about slavery. He participated in the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Josiah was also a close friend with William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson, who were both heavily involved in the slavery movement. He made, at his own expense, slave cameos, like the ones in this picture. The cameos were used for advertising.

In this painting Josiah Wedgwood is depicted with his wife and their seven children.

I think these vases are lovely. I particularly like the pair of vases with swan handles. Is made from black basalt, from around 1785 – 1790.

The vases are from 1890; the difference between them and the vases from 100 years before. At Wedgwood Museum all these transformations are shown. The museum is large, much bigger than I was expected. I think at least 2 hours should be allocated to visiting the museum.

Wedgwood Museum and Tea Rooms are in World of Wedgwood, on Wedgwood Drive, Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST12 9ER. There is a big car park. There is also a shop. It is a great day for a day out.