Handmade in Somerset

Somerset has a flourish creative community with many artist and makers working in the market towns and villages and taking inspiration from the county's varied and unspoilt landscape.

Some artists have studios open to the public and welcome people to see how they go about their work. Watch a potter hand-throwing a pot on a wheel or share in the sight, smell & sheer drama of watching pottery emerge from a wood-fired kiln.

Changing exhibitions of work by local people can be seen and brought at the Courthouse gallery in Somerton - home of Somerset Guild of Craftsmen - and at the Meeting House in Ilminster where there is also a lively programme of performance arts, entertainments and events. Specialist shops and galleries are plentiful. You will always find something beautiful or unusual to take home with you from Somerset, made with skill and creativity, often using local materials.

Perhaps you would like to try your hand at making something special yourself?  The Willows and Wetlands Centre offers courses throughout the year. You can make something useful and beautiful for your home or choose a living willow course and learn how to plant, weave and maintain a willow structure in your garden. Dillington House offers a huge variety of residential and non-residential courses including creative subjects ranging from calligraphy and drawing through to mosaics and papermaking.

John Leach Gallery - Muchelney Pottery

Well-know pottery with modern gallery selling ceramics, sculpture and paintings including signed work by John Leach, Nick Rees and Mark Melbourne. Adjacent shop selling Muchelney wood fired kitchenware.

John Leach Gallery, Muchelney Pottery, Muchelney, 2m south of Langport TA10 0DW

Tel: 01458 250324

Opening Times:
All year, Monday - Saturday 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm

David Brown Pottery 

Individually designed and handmade pottery, subtle variations in colour and texture of glazes fired to 1250 degrees in electric kiln.
Highway Cottage, Church Street, Merriott TA16 5PR
Tel: 01460 75655

Dowlish Pottery and Gallery

Making and selling a huge range of superb pottery and locally made art and crafts. Open all year. Closed Mondays.
Next to Perry's Cider Mill, Dowlish Wake, Ilminster, TA19 0NY.
Tel: 01460 53553

Ilminster Arts Centre at the Meeting House

A vibrant arts venue, craft shop and cafe with two art galleries and a varied programme of workshops and evening performances.
East Street, Ilminster, TA19 0AN.
Tel: 01460 54973

Dennis Chinaworks

Hand thrown, decorated earthenware - collectable limited edition pottery produced on site. Seconds shop. 

Monday - Friday. 10am - 4pm. 
Shepton House, Shepton Beauchamp, TA19 0DJT

Tel: 01460 240622

Somerset Countryware - Mary Kembery

"Somerset Countryware"is a range of decorative stoneware pottery inspired by the Somerset Moors.
Smocklands Farmhouse, Drayton, Langport, TA10 0JS.
Tel: 01458 251640

The Somerset Guild of Craftsmen

Visit the Gallery in Somerton and discover a diverse, eclectic collection of superb quality craft from the length and and breadth of Somerset.
The Courthouse Gallery, Market Place, West Street, Somerton, TA11 7LX.
Tel: 01458 274653 

Tom Clark Stone Carver 

Tom works from home, where he has a gallery and workshop.  His sculpture and carving are imaginative, moving, clean bold pieces.
Hurst Barton, Hurst, Martock TA12 6JU
Tel: 01935 822833

Willows and Wetlands Visitor Centre 

A family business with over 170 years experience of the Willows industry. Situated in the heart of the beautiful Somerset Levels, our 80 acres of willow provide the natural material for the craftsmen to weave a wide selection of baskets, furniture and garden items. Willow also available. Free exhibition, video, museum, shop, walks, tea room.
PH Coate and Son, Meare Green Court, Stoke St Gregory, Taunton TA3 6HY

Open all year, Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 5.00pm

Tel: 01823 490249