A Potted History: Echoes of Rockingham

At a glance

Who would use this garden?
A museum or gallery.
Where is the garden set?
The garden is set in an urban context in Yorkshire.

The Garden

In this garden, the past is not remembered, it is lived. Inspired by the exquisite craftsmanship of Rockingham Pottery, A Potted History invites visitors into a living gallery, where the delicate brushstrokes of history unfurl through petals, stone, and porcelain. Winding pathways weave through vibrant planting that echoes the intricate motifs once hand-painted onto the fine Rockingham Pottery. 

Soft Crataegus blooms, woven textures of herbaceous colour, and the gentle sweep of Yorkshire hedgerows paint a picture, celebrating this cherished artistry. Amidst the planting, towering ceramic sculptures rise like echoes of the great Waterloo Kiln, their curved forms a testament to Yorkshire’s spirit of invention and design. At the heart of the garden, a secluded seating space looks toward an ornate water feature, a contemporary reimagining of the grand doorway to the Camellia House at Wentworth Woodhouse, where Lady Rockingham once gathered guests to share tea, conversation, and the finest Rockingham Pottery.  

Rooted in a personal fascination with craftsmanship, storytelling, and heritage, this garden invites visitors to experience history not as something distant, but as something that still breathes and blooms beneath open skies. 

Plants

The planting design draws directly on the delicate floral motifs hand-painted on Rockingham Pottery, translating their colours, textures and elegance into a rich, living tapestry. Soft pastels, heritage pinks, creamy whites, and deep botanical greens echo the decorative palette found on the ceramics.

The planting is also inspired by traditional Victorian tea gardens, reflecting the atmosphere of the Camellia Tea House at Wentworth Woodhouse, where Lady Rockingham would host refined tea gatherings using Rockingham porcelain. Classic, ornamental species lend a sense of timeless charm and nostalgia, creating a sensory connection between the garden and its historical roots.

Key plants include: Astrantia major Gill Richardson Group, Ammi visnaga (toothpick plant), Dahlia merckii, Euphorbia characias ‘Black Pearl’ and Crataegus monogyna.

Garden legacy

After the show, the garden will be relocated to Rotherham Museums, Arts and Heritage. From there, it will be thoughtfully distributed to community groups and individuals across Rotherham’s urban parks through engagement events with Rotherham Green Spaces team and Children’s Capital of Culture. An event at the Waterloo Kiln site will bring together elements of the garden with opportunities for families to participate in creative activities. This will create a lasting legacy that celebrates the area’s rich ceramic heritage while giving back to the local community.

Additional sponsor: Nigel Roberts Ltd