What a day we had visiting our Visitors Club member China Blue in Totnes! From pottery throwing to pancakes (and maybe a little shopping in between), it was one of those experiences where you can genuinely spend the entire day and still not want to leave.
Getting Creative: Pottery Throwing
We kicked off the day upstairs in the pottery studio, trying our hand at pottery throwing. Claire, our Property Services Manager, absolutely embraced the experience. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about working with clay, messy, mindful and so much fun. Watching the pot take shape on the wheel is strangely satisfying!
Once our creations were complete, they were whisked away to the kiln, leaving us perfectly timed for lunch.
Lunch at Wild Thyme Café
On site at China Blue is the fantastic Wild Thyme Café, and it did not disappoint.
Kirsty from China Blue told us the breakfasts are their most popular choice and you can absolutely see why. Claire opted for one and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Dan, thinking of course about his bodybuilding lifestyle (yes, he’s an avid bodybuilder in his spare time!), went for the fully loaded chicken bagel, protein-packed and perfect for his diet.
As for me? I’m an absolute sucker for pancakes. I chose the berry pancakes, which are currently a seasonal addition. All I can say is… insane. Light, fluffy, loaded with fresh berries, if they’re on the menu when you visit, you must order them. No hesitation.
Back to the Studio: Painting Time
Refuelled and ready, we headed back upstairs to paint our pottery. Claire truly got into the spirit of it and created her perfect daffodil jug, a beautiful, cheerful design that felt very fitting.
After finishing our masterpieces, we washed our palettes and wandered into the shop for a browse. And wow, there is plenty to see. From homeware to gifts, it’s the kind of place where you pop in “just for a look” and leave with a bag or two. We may have purchased a few jars of local jam… purely for research purposes, of course!
More Than Just Pottery
What makes China Blue so special is that it’s not just a pottery studio or café, it’s a full experience destination.
Did you know they host a variety of events, here’s an example of just a few:
- Birthday parties
- Corporate events
- Paint and dine nights
- Pottery workshops
It’s perfect for all ages and with free parking on site, it couldn’t be easier to make a day of it.
The Daily Knead Bakery
Right next door (and also under the China Blue ownership) is The Daily Knead bakery. The freshly baked breads, cakes and croissants were absolutely fabulous. Huge credit to David, Head Baker at The Daily Knead, he clearly knows his craft. The smell alone is enough to draw you in!
The Team Make the Experience
A massive shoutout to Kirsty for arranging our visit and to the entire team across the China Blue brand. Everyone was friendly, efficient and genuinely lovely and that really makes the experience. You can have a beautiful venue, but it’s the people who bring it to life.
Final Thoughts
You really can spend a whole day here, create, eat, browse, relax, all in one place. It’s creative, welcoming, delicious and brilliantly run.
Overall?
A solid 10/10 from us.
If you haven’t visited China Blue in Totnes yet, this is your sign. 🎨🥞🍞
Until next time,
Brooke
