Nantgarw Chinaworks Museum is home to the world-famous Nantgarw porcelain and is the only surviving early 19th Century porcelain works in the United Kingdom.
For a short period at the start of the 19th century, the finest porcelain in the world was made at this site by William Billingsley. After firing, it was sent to London by canal and ship to be enamelled and gilded by the finest decorators in the land.
Unfortunately, the fragility of the porcelain (up to 90% was destroyed in the kiln) led to the factory only producing porcelain for five years.
Much of that produced is in major collections across the world and on the rare occasion pieces come up for auction they can fetch tens of thousands of pounds. In 2017 a badly damaged Nantgarw porcelain plate sold on the BBC One programme Flog It! for £2400.
The China Works closed in 1920. It is now a museum and contemporary arts centre.
Take the tour
Nantgarw Chinaworks museum welcomes groups of up to forty individuals for guided tours including porcelain and pipe making demonstrations. The tour is led by Nantgarw’s resident experts who give visitors a unique insight into the history of the site and the pottery.
Lunches or tea and cake are available.
Booking is essential.
For more information and to book: www.nantgarwchinaworksmuseum.co.uk