The next port of call during the 2007 Urbex meet-up was Royal Doulton when it was still intact, although obviously abandoned and derelict. (The other places can be seen in the previous three posts).
My other friends ventured inside but due to a disability, and being exhausted in the afternoon after a very long journey the day before, I decided to give it a miss. I went back to the car of our host to have a rest and found the front of the factory nearby, so I just enjoyed a leisurely wander around the outside and took some exterior photos before having a much needed snooze.
The brick building (above and below) was probably the main office for callers; with a rather lovely Italianate front elevation.
Another of the many potteries that have closed due to cheap imports from overseas, Royal Doulton was a household name of distinction that produced ceramics and tableware for about 200 years. Although only 22 years old at the time, John Doulton invested his savings of £100 in a small pottery in the year of 1815, and began producing both practical and decorative stoneware. The business, which was started in Lambeth, London, was eventually relocated to Stoke-on-Trent by his son, Henry, 60 years later.
The three main ingredients for Royal Doulton wares included cornish stone, china clay and calcined bone ash. This resulted in translucent chinaware, with the added advantage of strength. More than 2000 different figures have been produced by Royal Doulton over the years.
Some of the ingredients, in lovely colourful tubs, above.
The 15 acre site closed completely in September 2005. The land was sold to property developers with the intention of building housing on the site.
I managed to get partway around to take the above photo, which shows some of the extent of the factory site.
Only a shortish one this time. Next up, and last one, which is even shorter - having only a few photos - Silverdale ROC Post. :)
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