Coalport China Museum
EXTRAORDINARY CERAMICS & CRAFTSMANSHIP
For more than a century, spectacular china travelled from the kilns of Coalport across the globe.
See examples of the china that delighted Queens and Tsars and try your hand at creating your own ceramic artwork in our workshop.
Explore a former chinaworks
In the past Coalport was famous for the quality of its china.
- Stand inside a kiln and learn how Coalport china was made
- See up close our collections of Caughley and Coalport china
- Discover beautiful china made for prestigious occasions from Great Exhibitions to coronations
Traditional techniques today
In the workshop and studio china making continues today.
- See museum staff making saggars and clay ornaments
- Pick up a unique gift made at the museum in the shop
Have a go!
If you're feeling inspired by your visit, get creative!
- Pick up a paintbrush and decorate a clay object in the studio
- Attend one of the museum's regular adult craft workshops and have a go at making your own clay object
Parking information
Please note parking charges apply across all museum car parks. PASS PLUS and Friends can park for free during their daytime visit by validating their PASS PLUS at the front desk on arrival.
You can pay for parking with a debit/credit card at machines on-site or online within 48 hours of your visit.
-
![Oliver The Pipemaker The Worshipful Company Of Tobacco Pipe Makers Volunteers Cleaning At Broseley Pipeworks May 2022 4]()
Clay Pipe Making Demonstrations
On Saturdays in the summer holidays, from 19 July until 6 September, pipemaker Oliver Meeson will host pipemaking demonstrations at Coalport China Museum. According to the Heritage Crafts Association, Oliver is one of only half a dozen professional pipemakers in the UK. This is a rare opportunity to see these traditional skills in action.
What's coming up
-
![Three mini clay people figures, with boy and girl in the background.]()
Clay Play!
- 19th Jul - 7th Sept 2025
- 11am - 3pm
Get your hands dirty at our animals and boats themed drop-in clay modelling workshops over the summer holidays.
Adult craft workshops
Give yourself, friends or family the chance to get hands-on and have a go at a traditional craft in our adult craft workshops.
Taking place throughout the year the workshops are designed for all abilities.
Experience Ironbridge your way
To help you get the most out of your visit, we’ve created tailored itineraries to guide you around our sites in the Ironbridge Gorge.
Ready to book?
From single day tickets to our annual passes, choose a ticket which suits your needs.
For great value, save £5 when you purchase a PASS PLUS online.
A potted history of Coalport
Coalport China Museum is located inside the former Coalport China Works. Coalport China Works was established in 1796 by John Rose, who had previously worked at the Caughley works in Jackfield. Access to the nearby Hay Inclined Plane facilitated the transportation of goods and materials and helped Coalport become a major centre for fine quality china in the 1800s.
For more than a century, Coalport China Works were among the most successful of their kind anywhere in the world. In its heyday, Coalport won many gold medals and prizes for its work at international exhibitions, including the 1851 Great Exhibition held in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park. The company occupied the factory until its closure in 1926.
Explore our sites
-
![Jackfield Tile Museum (4)]()
Jackfield Tile Museum
Discover how tiles by British designers decorated interiors around the world
Sign up to our mailing list
Register your email with us and we’ll keep you up-to-date with news, events and offers.