A hand thrown pot is made by hand on a potter’s wheel, and requires specialist artisan skills. This is what gives it a one-of-a-kind shape and organic feel which looks so beautiful in a natural setting. By comparison, many mass-produced pots are replicated in moulds, so they will be completely symmetrical, and lack the character of a hand thrown pot.

Our pots are still fired in kilns the traditional way, using crushed olive stones and grape seeds as fuel. The pots are fired at temperatures of up to 1,150°C which is the highest temperature that terracotta can be fired at, resulting in an exceptionally strong pot.

Our pots can withstand the harshest of UK winters due to the unique blend of the clay and the way they are fired. If our care instructions are followed, your pot will last for years to come, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C. Water features and water butts must be drained in freezing weather to avoid damage.

Pots placed on gravel, shingle or other porous surfaces don’t always need pot feet, and narrow based pots such as The Long Tom could become unstable if balanced on feet. Having said that, raising your terracotta pot slightly off the ground can assist drainage and deter insects nesting in planted pots. Please ask if you’d like advice for your specific plant, pot and location.

As a rule, if your pot has a narrow neck and a wider belly, we advise that you avoid planting directly into the pot. This is because the roots will grow wider than the neck of the pot, making the plant extremely difficult to remove. If you do want to plant into a pot this shape, we recommend sitting a removable plant pot inside your terracotta pot. Browse our collection of planters for the best pots for planting.

If you’re using the pot for planting, put a good layer of broken crocks and gravel at the bottom of the pot. Ideally, using a permeable membrane over the gravel and crocks will help prevent the drainage holes from clogging, and aids good drainage.

As all of our terracotta pots are still traditionally hand thrown on a potter’s wheel, each pot is totally unique with its own individual characteristics. Our workshop team will always select the best matching pots for your order. If you have specific requirements, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Yes, unless otherwise specified, we drill a drainage hole in the base of each pot before it leaves our workshop, with the exception of The Bird Bath and The Vazo. Drainage holes are vital if a pot is open to the elements, and of course if you are planting in it. Every so often, check that the hole in your pot has not become clogged, otherwise trapped water could lead to root-rot or damage to the pot during freezing conditions.

Depending on the extent of the damage, pots can sometimes be repaired. Please contact us for advice.

No. Rapid temperature rises from open flames will cause the pot to crack.

With a standard water feature, your pot will be completely full of water. This means that in winter you will have to drain it, following our care instructions, to avoid it freezing and cracking the pot.

A self-draining water feature has a hidden basin in the neck to hold the water, and the rest of the pot is empty. This means it does not need draining in winter, although you should still follow our care instructions to protect your pot and pump from damage in freezing weather.

A few different factors will affect your choice. Generally, the larger the pot, the harder it will be to drain, so we do tend to recommend the self-draining model for our large and extra large water features. However, due to the unique nature of our pots, some designs are not suitable for fitting with a saucer, so a self-draining version may not be available. And some customers prefer the standard water feature, because they like the visual effect of a deep pot of water. If you are still unsure, please ask us for help.

Certain designs are more suitable than others, you’ll find the ones we recommend listed in our water features collection. If you have another idea in mind, do contact us and we can let you know if it will work.

It’s a good idea to drain your water feature in late autumn before we start getting frosts. Our standard water features must be drained and covered in the winter to prevent water freezing and expanding, which will seriously damage your pot.

Because your water feature is self-draining, it should never be full of water therefore you do not need to drain it. Please be aware that running water can freeze, so it is essential that you disconnect your pump during winter.

We recommend using a siphon pump to empty the pots, using a sponge to remove any remaining water left inside. Ideally, ensure the water feature is stored in an outbuilding, garage or turned upside down during the winter months. If this is not possible, ensure the top of the pot is fully covered with a non-permeable material to prevent any rainwater filling the pot back up.

Your pot is turning green from algae caused by sunlight forming in the water and growing on the surface. Using a mild soap and non-abrasive brush, clean the water feature inside and out removing any algae build-up. Replace with fresh water, adding a generous amount of Milton sterilising fluid to the water as required.

You will need to top up the water level of the reservoir from time to time during the summer months. It can be reduced by evaporation and splash off from the wind. If the level gets too low, the pump may be damaged by pumping air rather than water which can cause overheating. The risk of this can be reduced by ensuring the water feature is switched off at night, a timer can be useful for this purpose.

A limescale build up can potentially damage your water feature pump and create a white residue on the surface of the pot in rare circumstances. If the tap water is particularly hard, we recommend filling your pot up from a water butt or using a suitable water softener.

Yes, you can, but bear in mind you will want to disguise the reservoir. Please contact us for advice on how to do this.

No, unfortunately solar pumps are unable to produce the power needed to run our water features.

All our pumps require a 240V power supply, which is a regular three-pin outdoor plug.

Yes, we offer a pipe and sealing only service. Please contact us for a quote.

Our water features are supplied with the recommended size of reservoir for the pot. Certain designs may work with a smaller reservoir when the pump is turned down. Please contact us for details.