This Pottery Kiln was built in 1815, in the same year as the Battle of Waterloo, hence it's name. It is one of the few surviving parts of the Swinton (later Rockingham) Pottery that once occupied the site. Other traces that can be seen include the pottery ponds, along with parts of the gatehouse and painting rooms, which are now private houses. At its height, 270 workers were employed and the site included other kilns, a flint mill, china warehouses and cottages.
The pottery was founded in 1745 and remained in production until 1842 under the patronage of the Wentworth Estate. Early products included cheap domestic pottery, but its later owners established a national reputation for quality earthenwares and fine porcelain.
The kiln originally contained a firing chamber (oven) for pottery and acted as a hovel (chimney) that funnelled air through it and out of the roof opening.
A major undertaking to produce a 200-piece dessert service for King William IV (1830-1837) was a financial disaster, and led to the works closing in 1842.
After the Pottery closed, the Kiln was converted for residential use and the door and window openings created can still be traced. Between about 1900 and the 1930s it was used as a smallpox isolation hospital and then a private house until 1951.
Good collections of Swinton and Rockingham Pottery can be seen at Clifton Park Museum in Rotherham.
These historical notes are taken from the information boards at the site.
An other beautiful old factory. As I love (and collect) pottery I love to see some of it. ( Visit the side of Clifton Park Museum but no collection on line.
Thank you all for your generous comments and favs - thanks to you this appeared on the popular page, my second appearance there in two days! Your comments are all much appreciated.
Thank you all for your generous comments and favs - thanks to you this appeared on the popular page, my second appearance there in two days! Your comments are all much appreciated.
Ian
Thank you Kim
Ian