Monument record MDO47884 - Verwood Pottery industry

Pottery industry which originated in Alderwood during the early 14th century and expanded during the 17th/18th century when the kilns at Daggons, East Worth, Edmonsham, Horton, Crendell and Verwood were opened. The industry reached its peak during the 1750s when there were at least 15 kilns in production with Verwood being the main focus. A gradual decline took place in the 19th century when many of the kilns closed. However, several of the kilns continued production during the early 20th century, with the last kiln closing in 1952. The kilns produced a large range of forms including ornamental flower pots, jardinieres, vases and wall pots which were distributed thoughout Dorset, southern Wiltshire and Hampshire. The surviving kiln sites include kiln mounds, workshops and potters cottages. Excavations on the kiln mounds have found the kilns to comprise an open brick built cylinder 10 feet in diameter and 10 feet high with a single sotke pit and flue. The structure was surrounded by a mound of soil, clay and pottery.

The Verwood and District pottery industry originated in Alderholt during the early 14th century. No other sites dating prior to 1600 are known. Due to the rapidly expanding population during the 17th and 18th century there was a greater demand for domestic earthenware, and new kilns were established at Daggons, East Worth, Edmonsham and Horton by 1700 and at Crendell and Verwood shortly afterwards. The industry reached its peaked during the 1750s when there was a minimum of 15 kilns in production and Verwood became the main focus of the industry. During the 19th century most of the village kilns experienced a gradual decline in production and many closed. However, some of the potteries continued into the early 20th century. The last kiln closed in 1952.

The kilns produced a wide range of wares which included bowls, pans, jars and larger sizes of most open vessels. New products were introduced during the late 19th century in response to a decline within the traditional markets. These new products included ornamental flower pots, jardinieres, vases and wall pots, casseroles, candlesticks and ash trays. These were distributed throughout most of Dorset, the southern half of Wiltshire, and into Hampshire as far east as Southampton.

The surviving kiln sites comprise of kiln mounds, mud-walled buildings and potters' cottages. Excavations of the kiln mounds have revealed the kiln to consist of an open topped brick cylinder ten feet in diameter, ten feet high, surrounded by a mound of soil, clay and broken pottery. Firing was effected from a single stoke-pit via a flue leading to the furnace chamber at the base of the cylindrical oven.

The workshops and potters' cottages were constructed of a mixture of mud, clay and chopped furze, and frequently incorporating pottery sherds, roofed with slate, thatch or sheet iron. (1-2)

<1> Algar D, Light A and Trehane P, 1979, The Verwood & District Potteries (Monograph). SDO12592.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1981, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1979, 103-120 (Serial). SDO79.

<3> Algar D, Light A and Copland-Griffiths, P, 1987, The Verwood & District Potteries. A Dorset Industry (Monograph). SDO12825.

<4> McCarthy, M R, and Brooks, C M, 1988, Medieval pottery in Britain AD 900-1600, 461 (Monograph). SDO17397.

<5> Draper, J with Copland-Griffiths, P, 2002, Dorset Country Pottery. The kilns of the Verwood district (Monograph). SDO13892.

<6> Carter, D, 2008, The Verwood Pottery Industry and the Built Environment (Unpublished document). SDO16049.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 888717 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 15 2024 3:06PM