Donyatt Pottery Kilns |
| Hob Uid: 191796 | |
Location :
Somerset
South Somerset
Donyatt
|
| Grid Ref : ST3200013000 |
| Summary : Pottery industry centred on the Donyatt area, in production from possibly the 12th century until 1945, identified from documentary sources and archaeological excavations. The sites have been located to the southwest of Donyatt village, along Crock Street, at Whitney Bottom and at Horton. Excavations have identified a number of kilns ranging from a 13th century clamp kiln to double-flued updraught kilns and associated structures including workshops (see individual child records for details). The industry experienced two periods of expansion, the first during the 14th century, the second in the 17th century. Production was carried out along very traditional lines until the 1900s when there was the introduction of coal firing and changes in production techniques. There are many documentary references to the Donyatt potters and how the pottery works were arranged and operated. Fieldwalking has also located a number of pottery scatters which have been identified as potential kiln sites (see child records). |
More information : [ST 3252 1448] Donyatt Pottery [T.I.]
[ST 3210 1350] Crock Street Pottery [T.I.]
[Name centred ST 3225 1333] Crock Street [T.I.]. (1)
Md. and later pottery 'Kiln-wasters' and kiln-sites' at Donyatt
are mentioned by Hallam, in 1953 (2) and there are many references
to pottery made at Crock Street, dated 17th, 18th and 19th c. being
presented to Taunton Museum (3-8). The name "Grokke Strete" occurs
in 1570. (2-9)
Pottery has been made in the Donyatt area since Md. times - 14th
c. examples are in Taunton Museum - and the last pottery closed c.
1945. No kiln sites or early Md. pottery scatters
have been found but the area is almost permanent pasture.
The Tithe Map contains no significant field names. (10)
Sherds of pottery have been used extensively for soakaways in
field drains and as hardcore in gateways on all the farms on the
road between Lowless Farm (ST.315130) and Stibbear Farm (ST 334133),
and on road north of Crock Street (ST 323132) to Whitney Bottom
(ST 322138) (11).
Excavations took place between 1969 and 1972 locating a number of kilns and associated structures(12-16)
The excavations have been back-filled and there are no surveyable
features on the ground. (17)
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