Eighty-six potters from across the country will converge on Derbyshire next month for a two-day festival raising funds to restore a 17th-century pub and its adjacent workshop. The Wardlow Mires Pottery Festival, set for September 12-13, will take place near the Three Stags Heads pub in the Peak District National Park, with proceeds supporting the Grade II listed building's upkeep.
Festival origins and legacy
The festival was launched in 2012 by the late husband-and-wife pottery duo Geoff and Pat Fuller. It has since grown into a gathering that mixes established ceramic artists with emerging talent. Previous editions have funded significant improvements to the pub, including new heating and plumbing systems. Organisers now plan further work on the former pottery space to reintroduce ceramic skills to the site.
John Davison, brother of founder Pat Fuller, now leads the organising team alongside family members, friends, and local volunteers. He described last year's event as the most successful to date and highlighted the festival's evolving nature.
Event highlights and practical details
Themed 'Celebration of the Table', the event will feature a large marquee housing the makers, alongside food stalls, refreshments, and a beer tent. Card payment facilities will be available for entry and purchases. Visitors can explore the historic pub, which boasts stone floors and open fires, and has earned national recognition including a spot in The Telegraph's Best Pubs guide and a CAMRA listing for its historic interior.
Entry costs £6 on the gate, with free admission for children under 16 and free parking. Last entry to the festival field is allowed up to one hour before closing each day. The marquee will be set up just off the B6465 near Wardlow village, in the heart of the countryside.
Organiser's message
Davison emphasised the festival's dual purpose of showcasing exceptional work and preserving traditions. "All proceeds from the show go to maintain this historic pub which features in The Telegraph's Best Pubs 2026 and is listed by CAMRA as having a nationally important and historic pub interior," he said.
"The festival evolves every year and last year's event was our most successful yet. It not only showcases exceptional work, but also helps keep these traditions alive by welcoming new, and established voices and generations of makers," Davison added. He invited experienced collectors, practising potters, and first-time visitors alike to find inspiration, enjoy conversations, and make special pottery purchases to take away.
