Nantgarw China Works Museum

About the museum

Nantgarw China Works made porcelain in two short periods, 1813–1814 and again 1817–1820, under the painter and manufacturer William Billingsley. The museum describes it as the only surviving early nineteenth-century porcelain works in the United Kingdom, and the Nantgarw body is still regarded as among the finest porcelain ever produced.

The site later became the home of the potter Thomas Pardoe and his descendants, who lived and worked at Nantgarw House until the 1970s. Today the house, its garden and the restored bottle kiln are run as a museum by the Nantgarw China Works Trust, and ceramics are still made on site, with artists working in residence.

The museum can only be visited on a guided tour led by volunteers, which is included in the admission price. Its collection is being put online through the eHive platform, and the Trust also keeps a reference library on Nantgarw, British ceramics factories and local history for its members.

Highlights

• Guided tour of the only surviving early nineteenth-century porcelain works in the UK
• Nantgarw porcelain made under William Billingsley
• Nantgarw House and the restored bottle kiln
• Contemporary ceramics made on site by makers and artists in residence
• Tea room and garden patio

Permanent exhibitions

• The Nantgarw China Works story – The guided tour explains how the works produced fine porcelain in 1813–1814 and 1817–1820 and shows the house, garden and bottle kiln.
• Contemporary artists and makers – Ceramics are still made at Nantgarw, and the site hosts artists in residence.

Operated by

Nantgarw China Works Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission includes a guided tour. Free entry for members of the Nantgarw China Works Trust, National Art Pass holders and Museums Association members. Annual Trust membership costs £20. The gift shop and tea room can be used without paying admission. Group rates are published on request.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance path and the ground floor of Nantgarw House are on one level, with wooden floorboards and flagstones. The garden patio and the toilets, including an accessible toilet, are reached by a temporary ramp. The first floor gallery can only be reached by stairs. The cellar and the classroom are reached by a steep gravelled slope that is not suitable for wheelchairs. Paths across the site are grass, flagstones, wood, brick and cobbles. Three Blue Badge spaces are near the entrance. Volunteer guides adapt tours for visitors who cannot reach every area.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

Children aged 16 and under enter free. Activity sheets and clipboards can be taken on the tour, and a small activity corner has a play tea set, jigsaws and a craft activity. Juice boxes are on the tea room menu.

Getting there & parking

By car, leave the A470 for Treforest Industrial Estate and Caerphilly, follow the A4054 and take the fourth exit at the next roundabout, then turn right up the hill. The site is close to the Taff Trail: leave the trail at Nantgarw, follow Old Nantgarw Road and cross the A470 on the footbridge.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The tea room serves tea, coffee and cakes on vintage china in the main house or on the garden patio. The gift shop sells books, souvenirs, small gifts and contemporary ceramics made at Nantgarw. Dogs are welcome on the garden patio, although the guided tours are not really suitable for them.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit