Sharpe's Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust

Sharpe’s Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust in Swadlincote is a rare survivor of Britain’s once‑thriving sanitary ware industry. Founded in 1821, the pottery became famous for pioneering the “wash‑down” toilet, a design that revolutionised Victorian hygiene and helped transform domestic life across the country. Today, the museum occupies the original bottle kiln complex, one of the few remaining in Derbyshire, offering an atmospheric glimpse into the heat, labour and craftsmanship that shaped the town. Inside, visitors can explore exhibits on ceramic production, from slip casting and mould making to glazing and firing. The displays trace how Sharpe’s evolved from simple earthenware to mass‑produced toilets exported worldwide. Interactive elements let you handle tools, examine moulds and learn how workers navigated the intense heat of the kilns. A highlight is the reconstructed kiln interior, showing how pots were stacked in saggars for firing. The museum also covers the wider story of the South Derbyshire pottery industry, including local tableware makers and the region’s clay geology. Temporary art exhibitions bring contemporary creativity into the historic site, while community events and workshops keep the heritage alive. It’s an intimate, characterful museum where industrial history feels close enough to touch.