Oxford Ceramics Group

Visit to Bristol
2025-05-19 - 2025-05-20
On the afternoon of Monday 19th May, we will visit Dyrham Park, a National Trust property, near Bristol. The house was created in the late 17th century by William Blathwayt (1649-1717). He amassed one of the most important collections of Delft pottery in Britain, including extravagant flower vases, large plant tubs, delicate fruit baskets and much more.
Dr Rachel Conroy, Senior National Curator, North and Decorative Arts, National Trust, will give an introductory talk and accompany the group on a self-guided tour of the house.
The next morning there will be a tour of the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. The Museum is renowned for its ceramic collections including delftware, Lund’s Bristol, early Worcester porcelain, “Champion’s Bristol” hard paste porcelain and an array of ceramics from China and Japan.
We will meet at 10.30am for coffee and biscuits, when Kate Newnham, Curator, will meet us and give a guided tour.
Roger Massey, former President of the English Ceramic Circle, and an expert on the collections will also be on hand to answer questions, and Robin Hildyard will be showing members the unique Bristol Stoneware collection.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Stradling Collection nearby, which is a remarkable collection of 20thand 21st century design and applied arts with over 700 pieces of studio ceramics and 250 commercial examples.
Members may also like to visit the Georgian House Museum, BS1 5RR, with Georgian rooms c. 1790, and the Red Lodge Museum, BS1 5LJ, which includes three of the oldest rooms in Bristol c. 1580.

Visit to Ascott, near Wing
2025-07-09
We have arranged a visit to Ascott, a Rothschild House, which has a renowned collection of Chinese ceramics.
Further information will be provided as soon as the details have been finalised.

Visit to The Allen Gallery, Alton
2025-09-24 | Allen Gallery, 10 - 12 Church Street, Alton, GU34 2BW, United Kingdom
Situated in the historic market town of Alton, the Allen Gallery is an intimate setting for one of the south’s most outstanding collections of ceramics. The gallery hosts an impressive and varied selection of pottery, porcelain and tiles dating from 1250 to the present day.
The gallery displays a wide range of ceramics, from Wedgwood and English Delftware to unique studio pottery. Of the 3,000 pieces currently on show, the majority are drawn from around the UK, but they sit alongside Eastern Asian and continental wares which have historically influenced the ceramics industry in this country.
Pieces by some of the best-known names in ceramics and sculpture can be seen, including Items by Lucie Rie, and the tin-glazed earthenware collection, containing examples of English and European work, is of international importance. The gallery is also home to a range of sculptures, with a Parian ware bust of Queen Victoria and a bronze sculpture of a woman known as ‘Dolores’ by the American sculptor, Jacob Epstein.
Members may also like to visit the Curtis Museum nearby which is home to one of the finest local history collections in Hampshire.
Another recommendation is a visit to Jane Austen’s house at Chawton, (GU34 1SD), this year being the 200th anniversary of her death in 1825.
This is where she wrote, revised and published all six of her novels and where she lived for the last eight years of her life. It is essential to book in advance, viaenquiries@janeaustens.house

Study Day – “Porcelain in Staffordshire”
2025-11-22 | Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH, United Kingdom
The study day will tell us about the fascinating history of porcelain in Staffordshire from the mid 18th century, and how an abundance of local clays and coal gave rise to a concentration of pottery factories that made Staffordshire one of the foremost pottery centres in Europe. This history continues to the present day, and reflects the social changes of times.
We are fortunate to have three acclaimed experts to talk to us about the history of porcelain in Staffordshire.
Miranda Goodby, Former Senior Curator of Ceramics at the Potteries Museums, will talk about Longton Hall (1744-1760), and other soft paste porcelain.
Pat Preller, the foremost authority on the subject, will speak about New Hall (1781-1835), and other hard paste porcelains.
John Democratis, will talk about the emergence of bone China with particular reference to Spode, founded in 1776.

Annual General Meeting and Lecture
2026-02-07 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/London) | Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH, United Kingdom
The Twenty First Annual General Meeting will be held at the Ashmolean Museum, in the Headley Lecture Theatre starting at 2pm.
The meeting will be followed by a talk by Matthew Winterbottom about William Morris Ceramics.

Visit To Kelmscott Manor
2026-05-06 | Kelmscott Manor, Lechlade, Oxfordshire, GL7 3HJ, United Kingdom
Kelmscott Manor was the summer home of designer William Morris from 1871 until his death in 1896.
Morris drew great inspiration from the unspoilt authenticity of the house’s architecture and craftsmanship, and its organic relationship with its setting, especially its garden.
The internal décor today is substantially that of Morris, and includes many of his famous textile patterns as well as much of his furniture
Further information will be provided as soon as the details have been finalised.
