Please note that Wenford Bridge Pottery is now closed. In 2005 Seth Cardew upped sticks and moved to Spain where he died in 2016.

Wenford Bridge Pottery was established in 1939 by Seth's father Michael Cardew (1901 to 1983). Michael Cardew started potting at Braunton in Devon in 1921. From 1923 to 1926 he worked with Bernard Leach at St Ives and then moved on to Winchcombe Pottery in Devon. Between 1942 and 1965 he spent a number of years in Ghana and Nigeria.

Seth was born in 1934 and started potting at Wenford Bridge in about 1971. Like most master potters, he produced a range of domestic ware and studio masterpieces.

Seth's son, Ara Cardew (born in 1962), is also a potter. He worked at Wenford Bridge from 1981 until 1997 when he moved to the USA.

The pottery had two wood-fired kilns, the first built in 1939 and the second in 1949/50. This was the main kiln and the original used an updraft from the main kiln for firing biscuits. Seth would fire the main kiln about twice a year. This was a major event and potters from miles around come to help out. He also had a smaller electric kiln at the back.

Seth's work was in the Leach tradition.

Other potters at Wenford Bridge:

Clement Kofi Athey - 1961 - 1965
Danlami Aliyu from Nigeria - 1976-1977