A potted history 75 years of Holkham Studio Pottery

Our 2026 exhibition in Holkham Hall.

In 1951, buoyed on by the success of the opening the Hall to visitors, Lady Elizabeth, the 5^th Countess of Leicester, founded Holkham Studio Pottery. She had seen workers at the Holkham brickyard throwing pots on a wheel which inspired her to transform the old laundry and bowling alley close to Holkham Hall into a studio and related work rooms. Visitors to the Hall could observe the potters, then buy souvenirs and novelty items. The vision of the pottery expanded as unexpected opportunities such as souvenirs for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II were embraced.

Using advanced production techniques, the pottery went from strength to strength and at its peak employed around ninety workers. The majority were from the local area, along with specialists from Stoke on Trent and students came from around the world to study at Holkham. Lady Elizabeth and her daughter, Lady Carey worked in the pottery hand-painting while Lady Anne used her selling skills to drum up stockists around the country and abroad.

The first products made by Holkham Studio Pottery were souvenirs for visitors to the Hall, but this quickly branched out to tableware with the distinctive hand-painted Chevrons and Snowdrop designs being the first available. Innovative ideas around form and shape were addressed and the inimitable Owl and Elizabeth ranges in rich, warm glazes were produced. In later years, the pottery created bespoke commemorative mugs for hundreds of different private customers from historic houses, museums and cathedrals to local churches, charities, and companies. Pottery made in Holkham made its way across the country and around the globe.

2026 sees the 75^th anniversary of the start of this extraordinary business and it seems fitting that we celebrate this ‘Distinctive Pottery from a Stately Home’ and the people who created it in an exhibition and events during the 2026 season at Holkham Hall.