More Information

Torquay is the  generic name for the potteries that started to spring up since 1871 when Watcombe pottery started and was the last to close in 1962.  Most of them in the town of Torquay on the coast of Devon with the potteries using the local terracotta clay, but others were further afield in Exeter  Weston-Super-Mare and Poole, Dorset. Over the years there were approximately 15, all making similar art pottery and eventually the motto wares. Mottoes on all the patterns are widely collected and these include scandy cockeral boats and the favourite being cottage wares. Watcome first produced classical vases and figurines. High quality pottery was produced with a workforce of great accomplished pottery turners and decorators. The range of all the potteries was enormous and there is always something new to see and learn. This is the amazing appeal of Torquay Wares.

Torquay Pottery Collectors Society  

The Torquay Pottery Collectors Society is the English society for Torquay pottery collectors.  The website provides access to Scandy On Line which contains a “sampler” of Scandy the quarterly magazine published by TPCS. The site also  contains detailed reviews of some of the TPCS  publications that are available from NATS.

Torquay Pottery UK  

This new site is run by enthusiastic collectors of pottery for the use of all collectors and others with an interest in these fascinating potteries.
The site is in development and being designed for the use of enthusiastic collectors of the pottery which was made in the area surrounding Torquay, Devon.  The site features such famous potteries as Aller Vale, Watcombe, Dartmouth, Babbacombe, Exeter, Longpark, Barnstaple and many others.   Users of this site are asked to inter-act by responding to the various sections such as “Ancestry” or our “Help Line”, with any information they have and wish to share.  We will publish answers to help spread information to fellow collectors.

Honiton Pottery Collectors Society

Although not in South Devon, this pottery (and its “relative” Crown Dorset) had a great deal in common with the Torquay potteries.