Middleport Pottery Factory Tours
A guided tour around the working Burleigh Factory from clay to cup. A chance to see traditional methods of pottery manufacture still in use today. We regret that for safety reasons children under 8 are not permitted on factory tours. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour is due to start, this will allow time to get checked in and be informed of where to meet your tour guide. Please note the Burleigh Shop is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays . If you are an Art Fund Member please call 01782 499 766 to book your discounted tickets. ACCESS The tour is of a working factory which can be noisy in places. Due to the age of the building, there are some small, potential trip hazards and access to the factory is via cobbled walkways. There are four sizeable staircases and several smaller steps, some of which are narrow and steep and there is no seating on the way around. Because of the above the factory requires visitors to wear closed toe shoes, with a heel height of less than 3.5cm / 1.5 inches for their safety. We regret that Factory Tours are unsuitable for wheelchair users. If you would like to book for a group larger than 6 people, please call our reception on 01782 499766 so we can arrange this for you.
Middleport Pottery Heritage Trail Admission
Explore the unique heritage of Middleport Pottery, including 'How we lived at Harper Street' Self-guided visits are available Monday to Sunday. The site is open to visitors between 10am and 4pm. Children under 5 years old visit for free. Students with valid student id receive concession discount. Please note the Burleigh Factory Shop is closed on Mondays If you are an Art Fund Member please call 01782 499 766 to book your tickets
Middleport Pottery - Virtual Factory Tour
Discover the Burleigh Factory and the journey from clay to teapot. A great addition to your day out at Middleport Pottery, or for when you aren't able to access our regular Factory Tour. Watch a video tour of the Burleigh Factory with a chance to see the craftspeople and processes close up, voiced by our experienced guide Tony featuring the journey of the pottery and history of Middleport Pottery. The tour lasts for around 35 minutes and you are welcome to undertake your video tour at any point during the day you select, between the times shown on the time slot. Child friendly, accessible, dog friendly, seating or standing room, subtitled. The site is open to visitors between 10am and 4pm. Children under 5 years old visit for free. Students with valid student id receive concession discount. Please note the Burleigh Factory Shop is closed on Mondays. If you would like to book for a group larger than 6 people, please call our reception on 01782 499766 so we can arrange this for you.
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: 'A Fright in the Museum' Theatre Night
Join Middleport Pottery for a special installment of the popular Don't Go Into The Cellar theatre night this Halloween, and prepare for A Fright in the Museum! Mix a museum setting with macabre themes for a unique way to spend your Halloween night. Doors open at 6pm . Show starts at 7pm , with an interval. Please ensure that you arrive before 7pm, so that you can be seated before the show starts! Tickets are £18 for this spooky Saturday Halloween show! Synopsis : For one night only! Spend Halloween in the presence of vampires, ghouls and Egyptian mummies in this one-man theatre show, written and performed by Jonathan Goodwin, and adapted from classic terror tales by H.P. Lovecraft and others. Dramatic and macabre storytelling bringing the dead to life this Halloween!
Middleport Pottery - Halloween Kids Ghost Trail
Come and join our Halloween Ghost Trail. Our little ghosts have hidden themselves all around our site, can you find them all and claim your spooky treat. Collect your guide from Visitor Reception and get ghost hunting! Complete the trail any time between 10am and 3pm on your selected date. Adult supervision is required, but adults do not need to purchase a separate ticket.
Halloween Kids Craft Sessions
Come down to Middleport Pottery and take part in some fun Halloween crafts! Each participant will get to make multiple small craft projects to take home with them. Each session will last between 1 and 1 and a half hours, and all materials will be provided. Adult supervision is required, but adults do not need to purchase a separate ticket.
Middleport Pottery's Christmas Festival - Saturday 14th November 2026
Join Us for a Magical Christmas Festival! 🎄 Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 14th, 2026 as we celebrate the official start of Christmas at Middleport with our enchanting Christmas Festival! What to Expect: - Crafty Children's Activities : Engage the little ones with fun, festive pursuits. - Live Music : Experience a range of musical acts that will lift your spirits. - Tasty Hot Food : Savor delicious seasonal treats. - Festive Bar : Indulge in your favorite beverages at our merry bar. - Entertainment : Enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day - Atmospheric Christmas Market : Explore our charming market, beautifully lit by a Christmas tree—even Father Christmas will make a special appearance! The event runs from 12 PM to 8 PM, so whether you want to join us for family-friendly fun during the day or prefer a cozy evening stroll around the market with a mulled wine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! The festivities will take place both indoors and outdoors by the canal, so please dress warmly and don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate to keep you warm! Free Parking: Available at Steelite, accessible via Orme Street. What3Words: ///soda.trip.remark. Admission is free for under 10's
'A Christmas Carol' Theatre Night
Join Middleport Pottery for a festive installment of the popular Don't Go Into The Cellar theatre night this Christmas, and watch an adaption of the beloved classic, A Christmas Carol! Doors open at 6pm . Show starts at 7pm , with an interval. Please ensure that you arrive before 7pm, so that you can be seated before the show begins! Tickets are £16 for this festive production! Synopsis : Join the great Victorian novelist Charles Dickens as he brings to life one of the most famous ghost stories of all time. A tale of revenants and redemption, hauntings and humbug, seasonal spooks and sentiment. Jonathan Goodwin performs as Dickens in this one-man performance, co-directed by Goodwin and Gary Archer.
SOLD OUT - Halloween Pottery Painting Workshops
Come and paint your own piece of pottery, from fun figurines to plates, mugs and many more options including some spooky and seasonal ones! There is a £5 admission fee which covers the glaze, the colours you'll paint with and firing it in the kiln once you have finished your design. Suitable for all ages, any participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, who does not need a ticket unless also taking part. When you arrive you can select and purchase the piece you would like to paint. Pieces to paint start from £3.25 for a small figurine or £5.75 for a small plate, mugs start from £8.25. There will be lots of different things to choose from, each priced individually. Both card and cash payments will be accepted on the day. If you are a Junior Explorer or Member, book as normal, then when you come to buy your piece show your membership card to get 50% of your booking fee (£2.50) off the cost of your item! Once you have finished leave your completed piece with us to be fired in our kiln. We will let you know when it is finished and ready to collect.
SOLD OUT -Festive Fused Glass Workshop - 7th and 8th November 2026
Paula Andrews is a regional Glass Artist with over 40 years experience in glassmaking. She creates artworks inspired by the nature that surrounds us. With her fused glass animals, birds and landscapes she encourages us to look at our 'Everyday' with fresh eyes, and to celebrate the colour and vitality of life in all its rambunctious beauty. The workshop is designed to suit all abilities. Young people are welcome if they are interested in crafting. At this workshop, there will be opportunities to create fused glass wall art, hanging decorations (including Christmas decorations), fused glass dishes, and freestanding glass art. The glass workshop fees are priced per project, and each project is priced individually. The price range is between £9- £32 per project. A fused glass bird is £9, a series 1 Collage is £15 and a slumped dish is £18. A project price list will be available at the workshop. After the workshop I take the work to my studio and fire it in my kiln, this is the process where the glass pieces are fused together and moulded where relevant. Items are then returned to the venue, and Paula will designate a collection date and time. The fees are payable per project. The project price range is £10 to £40. Payment is on the day by cash or card. Event Time: 11:00 until 13:00 Please note: Everyone needs to be a glassmaking guest as I am not able to host spectators or shared spots. Tickets must be booked in advance, as we cannot accept walk-ins.