Capture Clay : An Invitation to the Leach Pottery

Anna Burnett
Feb 12, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Sep 29, 2025

I was fortunate to be invited to the amazing Leach Pottery in St Ives, Cornwall where I had exclusive access to photograph the historical studio spaces ahead of the restoration works that they are undergoing until Autumn 2026.

It was a brilliant experience to capture and archive the space; rich with history and preserved so well that it was like stepping back in time seeing the processes and tools used by the resident potters at the Leach Pottery.

kiln props in the 'kiln room' at the Leach Pottery

A Brief History of the Leach Pottery

Founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, the Leach Pottery is widely recognised as the birthplace of British studio pottery. Leach's vision — which brought together Eastern and Western ceramic traditions — shaped not only the aesthetics of 20th-century ceramics but also the philosophy behind handmade craft.

Over the decades, the Leach Pottery became a training ground for generations of potters, many of whom went on to shape the ceramics landscape in the UK and beyond. The studio continues to operate today, both as a museum and an active pottery, maintaining its role as a centre for learning, tradition, and innovation.

During my visit, I was given rare out-of-hours access to photograph the Leach Pottery’s historic studio spaces. The goal was to create a visual record of the pottery’s current layout and atmosphere ahead of its upcoming historical restoration of the pottery room and additional of new spaces including a facility for visiting artists, new shop and cafe.

It was a quiet, contemplative time to explore the site. The light filtering through heritage windows, the subtle wear on the tools and work surfaces, and the comforting presence of clay in every corner — all of it told a story.