Emma Bridgewater Factory Reviews Summary

Decorating Studio

Pros:

• "The decorating studio is lots of fun!"
• "You can freehand if you like but the stamps range from letters and numbers to welly boots and spades so there really is something for everyone."
• "We started in decorating studio which was fabulous - well organised, safe, Covid protocol followed - an amazing experience which we all thoroughly enjoyed."
• "Great fun, relaxing, addictive, want to keep painting more & more pots!"
• "The painting experience itself is very well laid out, all colour options you can think of and there's so many stamps to use it's not your average pottery painting studio."
• "Really lovely morning at emma bridgewater painting studio, very reasonably priced, lots of stencils and helpful tips :)"
• "The pottery painting was really good fun and we are looking forward to receiving our finished pots !!"

Cons:

• "However, I was not impressed by the attitude of the server."
• "As a customer you feel as though staff are humouring you and that you are putting them out by being there."
• "In the decorating studio we didn’t have the best experience."
• "The pottery is slightly expensive to purchase."
• "You only have 1 hour and a half to decorate your piece, however we didn’t received our mugs or plates until 20 mins in."
• "The decorating studio experience was good, though when our pots arrived they were covered in glaze faults which was a shame."
• "The decorating studio is good fun but the items you have to buy to paint are very pricey."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff here are always so lovely and helpful, and it is always a pleasure to visit."
• "The staff were very helpful and followed Covid guidance with masks etc."
• "It was a fantastic day out, reading the other reviews regarding poor customer service our experience was the complete opposite, all the staff were friendly and helpful."
• "The staff were amazing, so knowledgeable about the brand and polite, kind and helpful."
• "Lovely welcoming people."
• "Staff were friendly and we had spent £40 in the blink of an eye."
• "The staff in this part were approachable and friendly."

Cons:

• "Her manner was officious and very unhelpful. Will never visit again."
• "As a customer you feel as though staff are humouring you and that you are putting them out by being there."
• "We felt ignored throughout the time in the cafe."
• "Extremely rude staff. Retraining on customer service urgently required, especially in the cafe."
• "Horrible customer service if you are shopping from the US. :( US phone number is not working, emails are not responded to."
• "The customer service was poor."
• "I found the staff rude and unhelpful and shall not be purchasing anything again from Emma Bridgewater or visiting the cafe."

Facilities and Accessibility

Pros:

• "The carpark is easy to access with a simple walk to the entrance, of a few yards."
• "Massive car park, and both the normal shop and the factory shop where you can pick up some absolute bargains."
• "Car parking is free, on a gravel surface with plenty of spaces."
• "All pram friendly."
• "Wheelchair accessible parking and entrance. Grounds are suitable for access too and in the shop there is a stair lift for access."
• "There is a good sized gift shop and a factory shop where you can buy good quality seconds at generally about 10 to 20% cheaper than the gift shop."
• "Highly recommend all aspects of what they offer, tour, pottery and café."

Cons:

• "Only disappointment was not being able to take photos in the hand painting areas."
• "Very disappointed, ordered, no delivery and in spite of emailing, nothing but an automated reply."
• "The cafe was disappointing what used to be lovely lovely place for breakfast is now very mediocre for the price."
• "Our only concern is that the car park could be bigger!"
• "I requested a jug of hot water to warm up my daughters food to be told in a very rude manner that it convenined health and safety guidance."
• "The shops are nice, but the cafe is impossible to get into without booking."
• "As beautiful and quaint as everything was, I found the shop selection a little small and underwhelming."

Food and Afternoon Tea

Pros:

• "Lovely visit to the tea room, with the most delicious scone, with jam and cream."
• "We booked afternoon tea for 2pm, this cost £20 each and was delicious."
• "The most amazing afternoon tea, nothing was too much trouble!"
• "The afternoon tea was absolutely gorgeous and the portions were very generous."
• "After the tour we had afternoon tea made up of sandwiches, scones, carrot cake and a brownie finished off with a mug of tea....all served in Emma Bridgewaters finest crockery."
• "We had some lunch here today and the food was beautiful."
• "The food was lovely and well presented."

Cons:

• "Several members of our party have dietary requirements which I was assured would be catered for. It's only when I checked prior to the food coming, they had no note of this!"
• "We felt ignored throughout the time in the cafe."
• "The cafe was disappointing what used to be lovely lovely place for breakfast is now very mediocre for the price."
• "Cafe staff were rude and unhelpful as we were initially early for afternoon tea."
• "When it came to making payment, we was surprised to discover that the deposit isn't included in the £15 per person, it’s a separate payment to cover the cost of the furnace, so it wasn’t knocked off."
• "The afternoon tea was also nice but I'd have preferred the ability to pick my sandwich fillings if I'm being picky."
• "Generally feel like we were not very welcome and I’m not sure I’d go back."

Value and Pricing

Pros:

• "Really lovely morning at emma bridgewater painting studio, very reasonably priced, lots of stencils and helpful tips :)"
• "Massive car park, and both the normal shop and the factory shop where you can pick up some absolute bargains."
• "Yes the items are pricey but you really do get what you pay for the pottery lasts forever."
• "There is a good sized gift shop and a factory shop where you can buy good quality seconds at generally about 10 to 20% cheaper than the gift shop."
• "Excellent value meals in the cafe."

Cons:

• "The pottery is slightly expensive to purchase."
• "Can be a little expensive, but very friendly and a must for all..."
• "It cost us £64 for 2 bowls and two small mugs to be decorated."
• "The decorating studio is good fun but the items you have to buy to paint are very pricey."
• "The thought of spending £20 on a mug makes me want to cry."
• "When it came to making payment, we was surprised to discover that the deposit isn't included in the £15 per person, it’s a separate payment to cover the cost of the furnace, so it wasn’t knocked off."
• "I love Emma Bridgewater Pottery but the staff are AWFUL!"