William Cookworthy: Pioneer of Porcelain

William Cookworthy: Pioneer of Porcelain
Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

When: 27 March 2017 to 28 October 2017
Where: Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum, 108 Fore Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1AW
Time: 10:30 - 17:00
Cost: £3 for Adults, £2.50 Concessions, FREE for under 16's
Suitable for: Any age

William Cookworthy: Pioneer of Porcelain tells the story of William Cookworthy, born in Kingsbridge in 1705, who went on to become the first person in England to make 'true' hard-paste porcelain at his Plymouth Factory in 1768.

The exhibition looks at his life, friends, faith and his porcelain. The exhibition is in partnership with the Plymouth History Centre (formally Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery) and the exhibition features over 100 items of Cookworthy porcelain from Plymouth's extensive collection, as well as objects from the museum's collection. The exhibition is on for the next 3 years, with objects and stories being changed each year. 

Exhibition Gallery

Painting of William Cookworthy by John Opie (C) Plymouth City Museum

Exhibition Tea setting
Quaker display area

Exhibitions & Projects

  • FOOD: beyond the plate

    FOOD: beyond the plate

    Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

    22 March 2025 to 29 June 2025

    View details

  • The Valley: Art on the border   a cultural history of Marsland

    The Valley: Art on the border a cultural history of Marsland

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    24 May 2025 to 05 July 2025

    View details

  • Emma Stibbon RA: Melting Ice | Rising Tides

    Emma Stibbon RA: Melting Ice | Rising Tides

    The Burton at Bideford art gallery and museum

    10 May 2025 to 05 July 2025

    View details

  • North Devon Arts: Spring into Summer Exhibition

    North Devon Arts: Spring into Summer Exhibition

    The Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon

    31 May 2025 to 12 July 2025

    View details

  • Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes

    Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes

    The Box, Plymouth

    24 May 2025 to 07 September 2025

    View details

  • Six Weeks To Go

    Six Weeks To Go

    Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

    31 March 2025 to 31 October 2025

    View details

  • Kingsbridge 1939   1945 : The Image and the Place

    Kingsbridge 1939 1945 : The Image and the Place

    Kingsbridge Cookworthy Museum

    31 March 2025 to 31 October 2025

    View details

  • Battle of Britain Anniversary Exhibition and Talk Series

    Battle of Britain Anniversary Exhibition and Talk Series

    Exmouth Museum and Heritage Centre registered charity 291311

    08 April 2025 to 01 November 2025

    View details

  • Jyll Bradley: Running and Returning

    Jyll Bradley: Running and Returning

    The Box, Plymouth

    05 April 2025 to 02 November 2025

    View details

  • Coastal Threads: Textile Art

    Coastal Threads: Textile Art

    Fairlynch Museum Budleigh Salterton

    01 May 2025 to 02 November 2025

    View details

  • Jyll Bradley: Life and Influences

    Jyll Bradley: Life and Influences

    The Box, Plymouth

    05 April 2025 to 02 November 2025

    View details