The Old China House, St Asaph

Cadwyn Clwyd Logobutton-theme-crimeThe Old China House, St Asaph

Opposite the Earthworks Pottery shop stands the The Old China House, probably St Asaph’s oldest house. It’s now a private dwelling – please don’t disturb the residents!

old photo of old china house

The building is thought to date back to 1560 and to have been associated with the nearby parish church. Inside is a priest hole – a space where Catholic priests could hide during the period when they were hunted, jailed and executed by the Protestant authorities. Lower Street twists as it passes the corner of this building, hence this spot is known locally as “the awkward corner”.

In 1801 Wesleyan Methodist began to use a room here for their services. The building was then known as Tanybylcia. Its other names over the centuries included Plas Llwyd, Penyrentri, China House, Old China Shop and Pot Shop.

In 1906 Mrs Thomas of the Pot Shop sent a neighbour, James Lawton of Gemig Street, out into the country in a cart to sell pots and other items. He came back drunk, with some of the goods smashed and others missing! Mrs Thomas refused to pay him until he sobered up, and called the police to eject him. He was jailed for a week with hard labour.

A crockery theme connects three of the building’s old names, and many fragments of old pottery and clay pipes have been found in the ground in the vicinity.

Earthworks Pottery continues the theme. On the premises, potter Wendy Gill makes distinctive teapots, jugs, jars, vases, bowls, studio pottery and other ware. Her mother-in-law, Dorothy Stopes, established Kentigern Pottery here in the late 1960s, mainly to sell work by the Guild of North Wales Potters. The pottery now occupies two adjoining shops which have had many previous uses, including hairdressing and sale of sweets and televisions.

Postcode: LL17 0SG    View Location Map

Website of Earthworks Pottery