Introducing Wirksworth Pottery
From the historic pottery town of Wirksworth in the Peak District comes a collection of handmade ceramic pet bowls that transform everyday moments into something special. Founded by ceramicist Hannah Buchanan, Wirksworth Pottery combines traditional British craftsmanship with contemporary design, creating pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional.
Each bowl is crafted using slip casting, an endangered British pottery technique that Hannah is helping to preserve. Working from her studio in the Derbyshire hills, she creates every piece in small batches, hand-finishing each one to ensure it has its own unique character. This level of craftsmanship takes time, but the result is ceramic work that sits comfortably in prestigious collections including Chatsworth House.
These are objects made to be used and loved daily. Whether it's your dog's morning breakfast or your cat's evening meal, a Wirksworth Pottery bowl brings warmth and beauty to the ritual. Handmade, built to last, and worth waiting for.
Our finest collection
Wirksworth Pottery
7 colors available
6 colors available
7 colors available
THE WIRKSWORTH POTTERY HERITAGE
British Craftsmanship & Refinement
Hannah’s path to creating Wirksworth Pottery began with a 3D Design degree from Loughborough University, followed by 17 years honing her craft at some of Britain’s finest potteries. At Denby, where she worked as a Glaze Developing Technologist, she developed a deep understanding of the chemistry and artistry behind ceramics, creating glazes from scratch that remain in Denby’s collection today. This technical mastery, combined with her design sensibility, now informs every piece that leaves her studio.
Slip casting, the technique Hannah uses to create each bowl, is a traditional British pottery method that is slowly becoming endangered. This process involves pouring liquid clay into plaster moulds, allowing it to set, then carefully removing and finishing each piece by hand. It’s a technique that requires patience, skill, and an understanding of how clay behaves—knowledge that Hannah has spent years perfecting. By continuing to use this method, she isn’t just making ceramics; she’s preserving a craft that has been part of British pottery heritage for centuries.
From her studio in the Wirksworth hills, at the base of the Peak District, Hannah develops each glaze from scratch. This level of control means she can create colours and finishes that are unique to Wirksworth Pottery, with subtle variations that make each piece individual. The hand-finishing process ensures that no two bowls are ever exactly alike, giving them the character and warmth that only handmade objects possess.
The partnership with Chatsworth House came just four months after Hannah launched Wirksworth Pottery. Being selected by one of Britain’s most prestigious estates to represent their values of quality, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity was early validation of her work. Today, her ceramics sit alongside carefully chosen makers in the Chatsworth shops, where they are sold year-round. She has also been commissioned to create exclusive decorations for Chatsworth’s Christmas collection, a collaboration that speaks to the enduring trust placed in her craft.
Shop the collection here