Godshill Pottery: A Century of New Forest Craftsmanship

A timber-framed building on The Ridge in Godshill near Fordingbridge stands as a testament to over a century of pottery tradition in the New Forest. Established in the early 20th century, the site began as a simple chalet-style bungalow constructed around 1910 by Ernest Westlake, the Quaker geologist and founder of the Order of Woodcraft Chivalry.

In 1919, Westlake gifted the property to his daughter Margaret and her husband Tom Charman. Tom, previously known for ventriloquism performances along the south coast, turned to pottery and wood carving. Trained with assistance from Denise Wren of Oxshott Pottery, the couple transformed the bungalow into Godshill Pottery, producing functional wares and carved pieces inspired by forest motifs, including spirits, creatures, and birds exhibited at London craftsman shows.

Their son Christopher Charman inherited the craft, reviving and expanding the pottery from the 1960s alongside his wife Kate.

The pair focused on practical earthenware items, maintaining the ethos of pots made for everyday use. Christopher’s memoir details a bohemian upbringing influenced by Quaker values and connections to the nearby Sandy Balls estate.

The pottery operated as a family-run studio and gallery for decades, drawing interest for its handmade glazes and designs rooted in local clay traditions. Pieces from Godshill Pottery continue to appear in collections, valued for their slip-trailed decorations and treacle glazes.

Though production ceased following the retirement and subsequent passing of Christopher and Kate Charman in 2023, the site’s historic outbuildings and woodland setting preserve its artistic legacy. The property, encompassing grounds with access to open forest heathland, reflects ongoing ties to New Forest heritage.

Archaeological finds nearby, including Roman-era glazed pottery at Armsley, underscore the area’s long association with ceramic production spanning millennia.

Godshill Pottery exemplifies the enduring appeal of studio crafts in rural Hampshire, blending family history with practical artistry.