Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre Heritage

The "Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre" project has preserved and restored a unique Primitive Country Pottery workshop, focusing on the Dorset Heathland and local Crafts.

Verwood is situated in an area of many clay seams, which supported numerous potteries and 5 brickworks. The date of construction of the VHHC is uncertain. The site is evident on the Tithe Map of 1847 and in the recent archaeological dig, manganese, glazed pottery from the 18th century was discovered.

The drying shed building is of cob construction, with foundations and floor of brick. The cob walls were built using clay mixed with chopped heather, furze and manure and put between boarding about 3 feet high. When that dried, the boards were moved up and another layer added. These are called rearings and can still be seen clearly.

The building has two stories. The roof is tiled with a lining of heather supported by battens. The exciting feature of the building is that it still has the original roof with charred battens and the drying racks in the upper storey remain.

The Exhibition Area, contained in the original Potters' Workshop, has been extended for further Exhibition Space and a Research Centre.

The centre also has a small shop and a coffee shop.

Opening Times

The centre will open as follows but special events may have extended hours :-
09:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday - Saturday (Closed Sunday)

Costs

Entry to the Coffee shop FREE and 50p entry to the Museum.

Directions

Verwood Heathland Heritage Centre is situated in the centre of Verwood on the B3081 between Ringwood and Cranborne, beside the FREE public car park and opposite the Verwood Memorial Hall and the Recreation Ground.

Additional Information

See website for all the information you need.

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