Belleek Pottery & Visitor Centre
Belleek Pottery & Visitor Centre
Belleek Pottery & Visitor Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
1:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
*Making Memories since 1857* Having achieved various awards including winner of the 2018 Northern Ireland Hospitality Awards for "Best Visitor Attraction" Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre is home to one of the oldest working Potteries in the world beginning it's existence in 1857. Guided tours of the complete production process are offered giving visitors a real opportunity to see how the product has been made throughout the ages, from start to finish. Many of the unique tools and techniques are still used today being handed down from generation to generation. Visitors have the opportunity to meet with the craftspeople along the way and even get the chance to try casting a new piece, dipping in transparent glaze, painting some of the beautiful hues of pastel colours or even breaking products in our QA rejects department! After the Pottery tour our visitors are invited to relax in our Belleek tearoom and have a cup of coffee or lunch whilst looking out on the River Erne.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Belleek Pottery & Visitor Centre and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
11 within 3 miles
Attractions
16 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
585 reviews
Excellent
364
Very good
169
Average
35
Poor
11
Terrible
6
Keven O
Prairie Village, KS99 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Located off the beaten path, Belleek Pottery is well worth the detour, especially if you enjoy seeing true artisans at work. A short drive from Derry/Londonderry, the Belleek Pottery visitor center is located in the small town of, where else, Belleek. The factory and visitor center are unassuming from the outside but the tour was a real treat. Full disclosure, my wife has collected Belleek for years so this was a bucket list stop for her, but everyone would enjoy it. Most any tour can show you how pottery is made and the history of the brand. What sets this tour apart is the interaction you get with the potters and craftsman. You see every step of the process from design to sales. All along the way potters are working. All were more than happy to chat about their work, and just about anything else. You are right at the table as skilled craftsman, many of whom have worked most of their lives in the pottery, create one of a kind pieces. The gift shop staff where just as wonderful, helping to find the right pice and arranging for shipping. Even the reservation staff went above and beyond [we had a glitch with our online reservation and a short email resolved all problems with a friendly note to just stop in the shop a few minutes before the tour and they would have our tickets for us] 10 out of 10.
Written October 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hubert Armstrong
22 contributions
Mar 2023
My 102 mother has had a very old and very heavy jelly mould which she says was given to her by her great,great aunt. There is a black stamp on it so i was asked to take it to Belleek for some idea of value WHICH BELLEEK DO NOT DO!! They did however date it for me at 18 87 or close. Comparing the heavy slab of clay with firing cracks but no chips it is hard to believe the difference in the magnificent pieces that are made now although I am not that keen on the new "LIVING" range. Well worth a visit and at 23 miles from Enniskillen nice for a picnic trip. Under the same banner now is Aynsley, Galway Crystal as well
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cushy Glen
Enniskillen, UK24 contributions
Oct 2022
A variance to the beautiful pottery is the very poor coffee shop.
The food is bland, mundane, unimaginative & in some cases stale.
The opposite of the pottery.
A huge disappointment. We were expecting something special, like the pottery. Instead we got a coffee shop that wouldn’t be out of place in a railway station.
The food is bland, mundane, unimaginative & in some cases stale.
The opposite of the pottery.
A huge disappointment. We were expecting something special, like the pottery. Instead we got a coffee shop that wouldn’t be out of place in a railway station.
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GingerNutz
Northern Ireland, UK113 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
It’s not often I’ve walked into an attraction and been totally ignored. No one was available in the reception area of the attraction so we wandered into the shop for a browse. Belleek Pottery is an acquired taste and some would say quite old-fashioned in style but there were a few more contemporary items that caught our eye. We had some questions so patiently waited at the counter. A member of staff who wasn’t serving customers walked past us three times and totally blanked us. So we left. Not a single member of staff engaged with us from the beginning to the end of our visit. Strange mid-pandemic when visitor attractions are suffering from reduced footfall and the associated income. Some customer engagement customer service training is wouldn’t go amiss.
Written January 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sonya b
raphoe, Co. Donegal, Ireland11 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
A fantastic day out celebrating my 60th birthday. The tour was fascinating and interesting. Going through the history, seeing the amazing range. The steps from start to finish interacting with the talented artists. There was brilliant interaction and chances to participate. You got a chance afterwards to go back and have a go yourself with guidance at one of four areas. Then a few weeks later when the items were posted out and you have a lovley memory. All the staff in the factory, shop and restaurant were friendly, professional and couldn't do enough. I would go again tomorrow and highly, highly recommend an unforgettable experience.
Written August 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ryantbo28
Philadelphia, PA10 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
I visited Belleek Pottery last May and did the tour.
It was amazing watching and talking to the artists making the pottery and the skill level was out of this world.
While there we picked up a few things.
Stacked off to the side were boxes of their Nativity and I asked to see one. It was beautiful and I got pricing on.
I love setting out a nativity each year and decided that the Irish Nativity would be mine. It was too big to take home and too expensive at the time with having money budgeted for the trip. But during the year I ordered the basic set, got the Angel and then the Wise men. My mom finished off the set with the livestock.
It looked great at Christmas but was special because it was my "Irish Nativity" and that made it more special!!
Imagine my shock when reading on Google that it was made in CHINA.
I argued with the person that I saw it at the pottery and they were mistaken.
So I contacted Belleek and got this reply "The Nativity Range is designed by Belleek but it is outsourced". Notice they skip saying Made in China.
I can't believe that a source as revered as Belleek would outsource work to China!
I am so disappointed to know this and wonder how much other stuff is made there. Nowhere on the boxes does it say made in China so again is misleading.
Just like Waterford Crystal is doing.
This is intended to be a family heirloom but now who wants something mass produced in China
It was amazing watching and talking to the artists making the pottery and the skill level was out of this world.
While there we picked up a few things.
Stacked off to the side were boxes of their Nativity and I asked to see one. It was beautiful and I got pricing on.
I love setting out a nativity each year and decided that the Irish Nativity would be mine. It was too big to take home and too expensive at the time with having money budgeted for the trip. But during the year I ordered the basic set, got the Angel and then the Wise men. My mom finished off the set with the livestock.
It looked great at Christmas but was special because it was my "Irish Nativity" and that made it more special!!
Imagine my shock when reading on Google that it was made in CHINA.
I argued with the person that I saw it at the pottery and they were mistaken.
So I contacted Belleek and got this reply "The Nativity Range is designed by Belleek but it is outsourced". Notice they skip saying Made in China.
I can't believe that a source as revered as Belleek would outsource work to China!
I am so disappointed to know this and wonder how much other stuff is made there. Nowhere on the boxes does it say made in China so again is misleading.
Just like Waterford Crystal is doing.
This is intended to be a family heirloom but now who wants something mass produced in China
Written April 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear ryantbo28 ,
Thank you for visiting us and for your comments. Our manufacturing facility in Belleek still manufactures a whole host of products and that is why we are able to offer guided Pottery tours each weekday. We pride ourselves in the designs that our teams continually come up with and our ongoing production processes. Our craftspeople are an integral component of what we have to offer during a visit to the Pottery and there are few Companies now that offer a factory tour where you have the opportunity to meet with and converse with them.
Written June 26, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Catherine L
Kildare, Ireland494 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
We visited Belleek Pottery yesterday and pretty much enjoyed our visit there. We had visited on one previous occasion. We had a few things on our to-buy list. Luckily we got 3 of them, (one of these was the little star for my crib, which I dropped and broke last year!) I was thrilled to get this little star and thank you!! However we wanted to buy 2 of their Ripple Dinner Plates for our son, as 2 of his had become damaged. Alas this couldn't be done! A full set of 12 pieces was the alternative! Now my son lives in an apartment, where space is at a premium, and he only buys what he needs. So 12 pieces, when only two were required??? To us it just makes no sense. Here we were beside the factory where this stuff is being produced on a daily basis, and they couldn't run over, grab 2 dinner plates and sell them! This is N ot good customer service - in my opinion. Also on our last visit there was a small area of, I think seconds or discontinued items being sold off. I picked up several little items there, which proved invaluable. There was no area like this on this occasion. Anyway it's a lovely shop, the staff are really nice but perhaps a little thought could be given to my review, which might make for an even better experience for visitors like me. I am a huge fan of Belleek and I have quite a collection of it. May I just add that I bought the full Ripple set, plus the matching mugs and teapot set for my son as a gift last Christmas, and it's such a pity now to think two of the dinner plates cannot be replaced!
Written November 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Catherine L,
Thank you for your visit and your comments. If you can please make contact with me I will sort this out for you.
Written March 20, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Margaretstartrek
Antrim, UK85 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Welcome to Belleek, I have been coming here every year since I got married. I must say the artefacts for sale haven't changed much over the years. My recent visit not that long ago incurred minor issues which included I saw an item on a picture advertising Christmas tree decorations and I couldn't find the one I liked in the image, the young girl on the till wasn't very enthusiastic about going to see if there were any in stock and that is the first time I have experienced this in coming here for well over 20 years. My partner found that the Wi-Fi was not working much during our visit. I hope to return here again in the future if I am spared.
Written August 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Margaret S,
Thank you so much for your support on your many visits to the Pottery. I have taken on board your comments and I will take these up with the Managers concerned. We of course need to have all of our front of office staff passionate about meeting and conversing with our guests; this is a must.
On your next visit please ask for me at reception; I would love to meet both you and your partner,
Arthur.
Written August 17, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David H
New Braunfels, TX854 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Our group enjoyed a fascinating guided tour of the Belleek Pottery factory. They still produce in much the same manner as they did at the time of their founding 160 years ago. You can also purchase Belleek Pottery in the gift shop and enjoy afternoon tea or a light lunch in the visitor center. If you are in to either Irish history or Pottery in general this is a must stop.
Written August 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear David H,
Thank you for your kind comments on your very recent visit to our Pottery and Visitor Centre. And you are quite right, we still produce much in the same way as we did all of those years ago. And many of our craftspeople are related to many who have previously worked in the Pottery many years ago. And, to this day, we still have sons and daughters training in the art of making Pottery, but not just any pottery,Belleek Pottery.
Written August 8, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
richardsU8611AY
County Antrim, UK211 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Went here with my aunt and uncle. The attraction was so-so. This isn't a sort of place for me but I still took a look around. It is clean around the museum and shop area but the gents were full of water with no wet floor sign. A staff member walked past me and she had a serious body odour problem.
Written August 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear richardsU8611AY,
Your comments are noted on the recent visit to our Centre. It is unfortunate that you were not of the frame of mind to enjoy such a visit and I believe that your comments reflect this. To state that our gents restroom were full of water is concerning to me . We always have a team member visit all restrooms each hour to make an inspection of the facilities and at no time was there any mention of extra ordinary amounts of water in the locale. I have taken the opportunity, though, to remind our staff of the continuous need to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in all places at all times. On the subject of body odour, this is very personal and whilst we take every care to ensure our staff are presented professionally sometimes this is not always possible.
Written May 26, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Did Belleek sell seconds in the past:? I was convinced this didn’t happen ,all seconds were smashed but a friend assures me she bought some in the shop
Written December 7, 2019
I didn’t see any seconds for sale when we visited.
Written December 9, 2019
Can you make your own piece of pottery and is it suitable for kids around 8 years old?
Written July 1, 2019
We have a special tour suitable for kids called the Bloomfield Trail
Written July 2, 2019
Just wish to visit the shop and cafe, do you need to pay entrance fee, have already been on the tour
Written July 1, 2019
No charge for either. Thanks for your enquiry
Written July 2, 2019
Just wish to visit the shop and cafe, do you need to pay entrance fee, have already been on the tour
Written July 1, 2019
There is no entrance fee for the showroom or restaurant
Written July 2, 2019
Is the factory tour suitable for a wheelchair user?
Written July 1, 2018
Hello Andrea,
Yes the complete Pottery Tour is on the ground floor with easy access to all of our craftspeople. I do hope that you can join us on one of the tours. Please ask for me at reception and I will ensure that your party is well looked after,
Best,
Arthur.
Written July 4, 2018
Just threw out the stubs but not expensive, worth it for sure as you can see the time taken with each piece. Their website has prices. The museum is also worth the wait between tours plus a very good Tea room with quite good food. My wife has diet issues and they made her a sandwich
We spent about 3 hours there including shopping
Written August 23, 2016
About how long should I plan on stopping if I want to do everything (tour, shop, tea)? Many thanks!
Written March 18, 2016
I would advise allowing about three to four hours if you wish to have a leisurely yet fulfilling visit. A tour of our manufacturing process is a must and can take up to thirty minutes. We also have a fantastic museum which features many of the old pieces that we have crafted over the last 159 years; well worth a visit.
Of course we can't forget to mention our Belleek tearoom which serves hot lunches during April to November and our showroom.
Our tour times are listed on our corporate website.
Thank you for you question and we look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful Company,
Arthur.
Written March 19, 2016
are yous open this bank holiday monday? and how much are the tours please
Written May 20, 2015
Thank you for your question and please note that we are open all bank holidays and all weekends. Please see below...
Visitor Centre Opening Hours
MON-FRI SAT SUN
JAN-FEB 9am - 5.30pm Closed Closed
MAR-JUN 9am - 5.30pm 10am - 5.30pm 2pm-5.30pm
JUL-SEPT 9am - 6pm 10am - 6pm 12.00pm - 5.30pm
OCT-DEC 9am - 5.30pm 10am - 5.30pm 2pm - 5.00pm
Tours: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 12.15pm and 1.45pm - 4.00pm. Tours every half hour. Please note that the last tour on Fridays is at 3.00pm.
Saturday tours available in high season ( June to September ) 10.30am - 12.15pm and from 2.00pm - 4.00pm There are no tours on Sunday's.
Visitor Centre admission is £4.00 per adult and £2.00 per senior citizen.
Children Under 12 years old tour for Free
Parties of 10 or more, please telephone prior to visiting
We are open Good Friday and Easter Monday, but there are no tours on these days.
Written June 9, 2015
Hi. We will be visiting in late August. What are the times of your tours or that you are open? Thank you, Pat
Written April 21, 2015
Dear Pat,
Thank you for the question here. Unfortunately it was caught in our spam network and was noticed on our usual trawls through them each month.
The Visitor Centre is open in August 7 days each week from approx. 8.30am to 6.00 pm. Tours are available on Mondays through Saturdays from approx. 9.00 am until 4.00pm; at this time we are unable to provide guided tours on Sundays. We also have a museum , showroom and restaurant.
Thank you for your interest Pat and if I can help any further please do ask.
Thank you,
Arthur.
Written May 13, 2015
Showing results 1-10 of 10
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing