The fascinating story of Holkham Pottery

May 6, 2026 | Treasure tales and archive snippets | 6 minute read

A major new exhibition tells the fascinating story of Holkham Pottery, a pioneering, female-led business established by Lady Elizabeth, the 5th Countess, in the early 1950s.

Archivist Lucy Purvis shares the fascinating history of Holkham Pottery.

Holkham Pottery was started in 1951 at an interesting crossroads in Holkham’s history. The estate was still feeling the after-effects of World War II, the deaths of two Earls within a decade and wholesale changes in the way that the country was moving. Lady Elizabeth, the 5th Countess, saw pots being thrown on a wheel at the estate’s brickyard using Holkham clay, and the germ of an idea was planted.

Could a pottery using local clay and employing local people be established in North Norfolk? It would certainly provide employment away from the traditional industries. On a visit to Stoke-on-Trent, the home of English pottery, Lady Elizabeth heard about an African potter, Daniel Cobblah, whom she recruited and a pottery was established in the old laundry, an auxiliary building adjacent to the Hall. Initially the pottery was successful and provided employment, at its height, to more than 90 local people. This included the Countess and her elder daughters, Lady Anne and Lady Carey. In due course they were followed by Sarah, the 7th Countess of Leicester.

l-r Lady Leicester, Lady Carey, Lady Anne, Reg Moon, Eileen Brooker, Keith Corrigan, Daniel Cobblah, Beryl Gidney 1952

Visitors to the Hall could see into the pottery, known as Holkham Studio Pottery, and take back a souvenir to their homes to remember their visit. As the pottery expanded to serve customers around the world, visitors could purchase pottery at the specially converted Ancient House. The business helped to cement Holkham as a visitor destination, something that is still enjoyed today.

Getting the job done

Lady Anne and Lady Carey decorating pig money boxes

As a female-led, family business, the pottery gained global recognition. Lady Elizabeth’s idea for a pottery at Holkham quickly gained momentum with her daughters, Lady Anne and Lady Carey, pictured above, left to right, and later Sarah, 7th Countess of Leicester, taking on key roles. “It was unusual for someone like my mother to start a business like that,” says Lady Anne (Glenconner). “She was the daughter of the 8th Earl of Hardwick, brought up in a stately home world, but she was tremendously practical. She wanted something to do and to create work for people living at Holkham. “My sister was artistic and painted many of the pieces. I wasn’t artistic at all – very grumpily, I did sponging and fettling, which is taking off all the little bits to make things smooth. Later I discovered that I loved selling, so at 17 I was sent off on my own and travelled around America on Greyhound buses.”

Sarah Lady Leicester in Holkham Pottery

In the late 1980s, Lady Sarah took on the pottery. “The 7th Earl, my husband, wanted to close the site, as it was losing money, but I persuaded him to let me run it,” she says. “To achieve a new look quickly, I changed the glazes and colours to brighter hues on our existing shapes. I gradually introduced new shapes, including a scale model of The Obelisk. We made mustard pots for Colman’s and mugs for the SAS, many schools, churches and cathedrals. Latterly, I introduced plaster copies of the ancient busts in the Hall. The pottery was a haven when the ‘going got tough’ running the house. It was a huge relief to sit with the potters, help them with sponging and fettling, and chat about our lives.”

While the pottery closed in 2007, this year’s exhibition marks 75 years of a highly entrepreneurial business in Holkham’s history.

Collector’s corner

From a garage sale purchase to an enviable collection, Ryan Mills’ fascination with Holkham Pottery plays a key part in the new exhibition. Ryan Mills joined Holkham almost nine years ago, initially as a Houseman before progressing to Facilities and Security Manager. His deep connection to the estate is echoed in his passion for Holkham Pottery which has grown from a single mug purchased at a garage sale to a collection of around 3,000 pieces. “Before I started work here, I didn’t even realise that there had been a pottery at Holkham,” he says, “but after finding that first piece I became curious and started to learn about the history, designs and people behind the pottery.”

Ryan Mills with a Holkham Pottery mug

Today, Ryan’s collection spans formal tableware, everyday kitchenalia, bold 1960s and 1970s lamps, commemorative pieces and rare handmade items, including early piggy banks decorated by members of the Coke family. Among the favourite pieces in his extensive archive are 1953 Coronation Toby jugs of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Beyond his own hobby, Ryan has become a driving force in reconnecting people with this local craft heritage. He runs a dedicated Holkham Pottery Facebook group with hundreds of members, bringing together former pottery workers, collectors and families sharing memories and photographs of their own pottery pieces. This spirit of rediscovery will be at the heart of the exhibition which will feature key pieces from Ryan’s collection along with archive images and personal stories, charting the pottery’s evolution. “For me, it’s about sharing the story,” Ryan says. “The people, the memories, the craftsmanship – it all deserves to be remembered.