A Day in Muchelney: Our Home on the Somerset Levels
Posted: November 16, 2025
Our Home on the Somerset Levels
Set within the wide, open landscape of the Somerset Levels, Muchelney is a village shaped by its surroundings, fields, rivers and the unhurried pace of rural life. It’s here, in this quiet corner of Somerset, that we make our pots.
Founded by John Leach in 1965, Muchelney Pottery remains one of the few working studios in Britain still firing with wood. Each piece – jug, bowl or mug, is made entirely by hand on site, using British clay and time-honoured techniques passed down through generations.
Visitors are warmly invited to explore our gallery, where new work is often fresh from the kiln, and the occasional visiting artist displays their work. With a little notice, we’re happy to offer a glimpse behind the scenes, the clay being prepared, pots taking shape on the wheel, glazes carefully mixed. The atmosphere is calm and purposeful, a working rhythm that reflects both craft and place.
Exploring the Village
Beyond the pottery, Muchelney rewards those who wander. A short walk leads to the remains of Muchelney Abbey, once a Benedictine monastery, and the nearby Church of St Peter and St Paul, with it’s ceiling of hand painted angels and medieval tiles on the ground.
The surrounding landscape is typical of the Levels, flat pastureland edged with willows and threaded with waterways. In autumn, the air carries the scent of pressed apples; in spring, the orchards fill with blossom. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the River Parrett to Langport where you might catch a glimpse of an Otter or Kingfisher.
Somerset Artisan Tour
Muchelney Pottery is proud to be part of the Somerset Artisan Tour, a trail curated by Hidden Somerset to celebrate the county’s creative community. It brings together makers, artists and producers whose work reflects Somerset’s long tradition of craft, from potters and weavers to cider makers and printmakers.
Langport
Just a few minutes from the pottery lies Langport, a small riverside town worth exploring. Independent shops and cafés line it’s streets, and walks along the River Parrett offer views across the Levels that change with every season.
Somerton
It’s a lovely place to spend some time, browsing the small independent shops and art galleries that cluster around the square. There’s an easygoing air to the town, friendly faces, and plenty of good places to pause for coffee or lunch. Alfrado’s offers refined, seasonal dining in elegant surroundings, while The White Hart opposite the square is perfect for a more relaxed meal or an evening drink by the fire.
Somerset Cider Brandy and Burrow Hill
No visit to the Muchelney area is complete without a trip to Somerset Cider Brandy at Burrow Hill, just a short drive away. Set among some of the county’s most beautiful orchards, it’s where the centuries-old craft of Somerset cider making continues at its finest. Through the summer months, the farm hosts Cider Saturdays relaxed afternoons of music, food and tastings beneath the apple trees.
For something more in-depth, book onto one of their guided tours to see the copper stills in action, wander through the orchards, and sample a selection of ciders, brandies and aperitifs made on site. It’s a place that captures the very essence of Somerset, rooted in tradition, generous in spirit, and best enjoyed slowly.
Lunch, a Pint, or Something Local
Your time in Muchelney is best taken slowly, and that means time for something good to eat or drink.
For lunch we have a few suggestions, Brown & Forrest Smokery in nearby Hambridge serves excellent smoked fish and local produce, while Pitney Farm Café is a welcoming spot for fresh, seasonal food straight from the farm. And in Langport, just a few minutes away, you’ll find several local favourites, The Bridge, The Little Bakery, and The Kitchen, perfect for coffee, lunch, or a simple afternoon pause beside the river.
For a relaxed pint or an evening with friends, Joe’s Cider Bar (School Farm in Muchelney) which is open Fridays from 3pm till late. A beautiful old building and an excellent stop to sample some local cider.
Just along the road in Huish Episcopi, Eli’s Inn offers a unique take on the traditional pub, with an open tap room in place of a bar and visiting food pop-ups rather than a fixed kitchen.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you come to choose a pot, explore the village, or follow the artisan trail, Muchelney offers a glimpse of Somerset at its most authentic, rooted in craft, shaped by landscape, and beautifully inspiring.
