Wallåkra Stenkärlsfabrik
Working ceramics factory from 1864 in the Rååns valley, where visitors can follow the making of salt-glazed stoneware, take part in throwing and book a tour.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Wallåkra stenkärlsfabrik was founded in 1864 by John C. Billow and Carl af Ekström under the name Qvistofta lerkärlsfabrik (Qvistofta earthenware factory). After several changes of ownership the name was first changed to Wallåkra lerkärlsfabrik and then to Wallåkra stenkärlsfabrik (stoneware factory). In 1900 Axel Månsson took over the factory, and from 1928 it was run by the former employee, the potter Adolf Andersson, and then by his sons. Operations were suspended for some years after 1978 but were restarted in 1981, and since 1988 it has been run by a group including Åsa Orrmell, who since 2001 has run the factory together with the associated krog (inn).
The factory lies beautifully embedded in the Rååns valley. Stoneware, and brown-glazed pots and jugs made from the local clay, are still produced here. Everything is thrown by hand in the workshop, which is over 150 years old, and then fired in the large coal-fired round kiln. The facility is regarded as a working-life museum and is a relic of the craft and industrial era of north-west Skåne.
As a visitor you can follow the whole production chain, from clay deposit to finished product, shop in the store, eat in the krog, which is in a storehouse building from around 1900, or take part in one of the factory's throwing experiences. Visits to the factory and workshop can be booked all year round, and in 2019 Åsa Orrmell received the award Årets arbetsmyra (Working Ant of the Year) for her work bringing the ceramic craft to life.
Highlights
- Workshop from 1864 where everything is thrown by hand
- Coal-fired round kiln for salt-glazed stoneware
- The whole production chain from clay to finished product
- Throwing experiences and guided tours of the factory
- Krog in a storehouse building from around 1900 and shop with pots
Permanent exhibition
- Fabriken och verkstaden – The working stoneware factory with workshop and round kiln, where visitors can follow production from clay to finished product.
- Founded
- 1864
- Operated by
- Wallåkra Stenkärlsfabrik
Admission & discounts
| Guided tour and lecture (about 45 min, up to 55 people) | SEK 75From SEK 75 per person, minimum price SEK 750 per visit; can be booked all year round. |
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The admission fee to the factory and shop is not stated on the website. A shorter visit is included in all booked throwing experiences.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Family throwing and other throwing experiences can be booked; visitors choose for themselves how active they want to be.
Getting there & parking
Visiting address Ryavägen 38 in Vallåkra, in the Rååns valley next to a nature reserve.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
Krog in a storehouse building from around 1900, with a stream running under the building; table bookings via krogen@wallakra.com. The shop sells the factory's hand-thrown pots and stoneware.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Conferences, meetings and company activities such as candle-making and throwing in the cultural-historical setting.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
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| Good to know | Visits and lectures are given by the factory's artistic director and must be booked in advance. In the throwing experiences, visitors can try throwing at one of the wheels in the workshop. |
