Hand-Thrown Glazed English Terracotta Dog Bowl

All standard English terracotta pots include postage in the price - simple!

The only exception is pots larger than 35cm, which are shipped via the same pallet service (£54) used for my larger Cretan and Italian terracotta pots.

As each sale is packaged bespoke to order, this takes some time - so I like to suggest you allow 4 > 10 days from placing your order to receiving your pots.

I use premium double-walled cardboard boxes, carefully packed with paper, wood shavings or corn-starch packing beans, to ensure your pots arrive safely. In some cases, bubble wrap or a protective film may be used, though I always aim to maximise the use of recyclable materials wherever possible.

To remain very competitive on my prices, I am pleased to introduce my Cash & Carry programme.

This offers discounts on terracotta pots purchased directly in the Yard and taken away on the day, or collected at a later date. Since being launched in 2026 this has seen buyers visit from all across the country. A great result!

• 10% discount on orders below £100
• 15% discount on orders below £500
• 20% discount on orders above £501

Payment can be made by card or bank transfer (bank transfer preferred). Cash payments are also accepted; however, please note that I do not keep petty cash on-site and therefore cannot guarantee change.

Contact to arrange your visit.

Made from clay sourced around Stoke-on-Trent, this range of terracotta sees an entire collection created by a small, rural pottery.

Making pots of any size is no easy job, nor is it clean! Every pot goes through multiple stages and the whole process couldn't be any further from mechanical manufacturing methods.

Once the clay has been prepared (sliced into manageable pieces after being 'wedged'), it is ready to be worked.

Small > large lumps of clay are placed on a wheel and carefully formed into shape by hand as they rotate. This is rarely a skill that anyone can naturally pick up on their first go - it often takes years to be able to consistently throw large, uniform pots.

Once the pots have been thrown and any decorations applied by hand, they are left to air-dry before being hand-stacked into large kilns.

These gas-fired kilns are operated over two days at extreme temperatures reaching 1165°C. It's firing the clay at such a high temperature that go a long way to ensuring they are hardy against frost damage.

At Tom's Yard I choose to exclusively deal with quality garden pottery; Ceramics made from the best materials, put through the most thorough firing processes.

As a result, all of my clay pots are made to be left outside and enjoyed for 365 days of the year.

With that being said, there are simple steps you should take to ensure the longevity of your pots and the health of your plants. Following the coming steps will go a long way to ensuring that your pots last for years to come.

Winter

If prolonged or sudden, harsh freezing conditions are forecasted, I recommend wrapping your pots in bubble plastic or fleece; this should prevent the earth from freezing solid (avoiding the risk of splitting the pot) whilst offering insulation to protect your plants. This is because plants grown in pots can be more vulnerable to changing weather conditions.

Following the steps below will go a long way to mitigating harmful effects to your plants and will ensure that your pots last for years to come.

Drainage

Drainage is vital if a pot is going outside. Every so often you should check to see if the holes have become clogged up. Otherwise water could be retained leading to root-rot or the risk of damage to your pot during freezing conditions. All pots will arrive with standard drainage holes.

Although not always necessary, you can raise your pot off the ground to assist with drainage. Flat stones, tiles, wooden batons, plastic matting or my terracotta feet are ideal.

Planting

If you are using the pot for planting, place a thin layer of gravel or broken crocks in the base. This prevents the holes from becoming clogged up with soil. Top up with a suitable compost / soil depending on the plants needs. If you're unsure, check with the nursery you purchased them from or reference a reputable online source like the RHS.

If the pot is enclosed with a narrow neck I advise that you avoid permanent planting or use a removable plastic pot within the terracotta pot. Otherwise the roots will grow into the ‘belly’ of the vessel making the plant extremely difficult to remove.

Even in straight pots, do be aware of favourites such as Agapanthus and Phormium. These plants produce very strong roots than can, if left to their own devices, split a pot. It's far better to grab a hori-hori and to split the plant.

Location

Never stand your pot on bare earth. Being porous, the bottom few inches will soak up the moisture. Frost playing on permanently wet terracotta may not be in the best long-term interests of your pot.

For any matters that you're not sure about, get in touch.

Colour

Please note that the red clay used to craft my English pots naturally results in subtle colour variations, making each piece unique.

When multiple pots are ordered, I always take great care to select pairs or groups with the closest possible match. If there is ever any uncertainty regarding availability or colour consistency in the Yard, I will contact you for approval before packing your order.

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Dimensions

Each pot is hand-thrown on a wheel - a skilled and time-honoured process. As a result of this traditional method, subtle variations in size and form are to be expected, making every piece unique. I recommend using the dimensions provided as a guide. When ordering multiple pots, I will always take great care to select the best-matched pairs or groups for you.