FAQs

Order Queries

How long will my order take to arrive?

Burleighware takes time and skill to craft and with this in mind, delivery of best quality items can take up to 28 days depending on our current stock levels. Orders for Seconds and Discontinued products should usually reach you within 5 working days, however may take slightly longer during busier sale periods. All overseas orders may take a little longer. If you are unsure about how long your order will take, please give us a call on +44(0)1773 740740. Your card will not be charged until your order has been shipped.        

Do you ship overseas?

Burleighware is popular worldwide, and we ship to countries all over world. For more details, please contact our Customer Service team on +44(0)1773 740740 or email us at customer.services@burgessandleigh.co.uk.

How much is delivery?

Standard UK delivery is FREE for orders over £60, there is a £5 charge for orders up to £49.99. Charges for international delivery vary dependent on the order value and location – please see our Delivery Information for further details.

How can I return my order?

Please contact our Customer Service team on +44(0)1773 740740 or email consumer.services@burgessandleigh.co.uk who will be able to assist you with returns.

 

Payment

Can I pay by credit card? 

Yes, we accept all major cards: Visa, Access, Mastercard, American Express and more. We use the Sagepay system on our online shop, which guarantees protection and security.

Can I get a Tax refund on purchases made online destined for non-EU countries?

No, our online sales are exempt from the VAT refund scheme. For more information, visit the HM Revenue & Customs website. 

                                                                       

Wholesale Enquiries

How do I find a stockist of Burleigh?

Burleigh is the choice of some of world’s leading retailers. For more information, visit our stockists page here, or telephone our customer service team on +44(0)1773 740740 or email us at customer.services@burgessandleigh.co.uk.

How do I become a Burleigh stockist? 

Please contact our trade customer service team on +44(0)1773 740740 or customer.services@burgessandleigh.co.uk, who will be able to put you in touch with the relevant account manager or agent.          

         

Product Queries

Where is Burleighware made?

Burleigh is crafted with great care and skill at Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, England. 

What are the dimensions and capacities of Burleighware?

All of our items vary in dimension and capacity. All information around sizing can be found here.

Do you sell replacement parts?

Our Factory Shop provides supplies lids for all current 'lidded' items such as teapots. We hold a selection of seconds and discontinued lids in stock. Plus a small range of best quality lids. We can order a best quality lid can be made to order provided the item is in current production. 

Over the years we have matched up lids to teapots of all shapes and sizes, sometimes fitting a lid to a base we haven't even made. Customers are very welcome to bring the base of an item into the store, where we can offer a fitting service and a member of staff can advise and try all the sizes and shapes we have. See the Burleigh Factory Shop page for contact details and opening times.

Are Burleigh products dishwasher and microwave safe? 

Yes, the durable glaze will protect it from wear and is therefore safe for use in the dishwasher and microwave. We recommend using the eco setting when cleaning your Burleigh ware in a dishwasher and using liquid detergents.

Are Burleigh products oven and freezer proof?

Burleighware is not oven or freezer proof.

How should I care for my Burleighware?

Our products are microwave and dishwasher safe. We recommend using low temperatures and liquid detergents when washing, or alternatively washing by hand and drying with a soft cloth. Burleighware is unsuitable for oven and freezer use.

What is transferware? 

Transferware is achieved by tissue transfer printing from hand engraved copper plates. Burleigh is the only pottery in the world to still use this highly skilled, 250-year-old process. We believe that it gives the best finish, and ensures the quality and individuality of every Burleigh piece.

Why is the pattern not always the same on my Burleigh Pottery?

Using the tissue transfer printing process which is done by hand, means that there will always be minor signs of variation. This is what makes Burleigh distinct, as it is hand decorated by our skilled artisans for you.

Why do some items show a join in the pattern?

Burleigh designs are printed from the engraving and come out in a long length of pattern on tissue paper. As each section of tissue is applied to the pot by hand, there is a point where the two ends meet. We try to make this as imperceptible as possible, but joins are impossible to eliminate entirely.

Why do plates and dishes have slight marks underneath? 

These marks are where they have been supported with kiln furniture. Plates and dishes are supported in three spots with pins - this suspends them and prevents them from sticking to each other.

What are seconds?

Burleighware is handmade and occasionally slight faults appear in the glaze and pattern. These do not pass our rigorous inspections, and are therefore deemed as seconds. Seconds are sold at a discount price and are available to buy online and in our Factory Shop at The Middleport Pottery.

What is the glaze?

The glaze is a specialist ingredient that is fused to our Burleighware, giving it a protective coat and beautiful finish.

What is earthenware?

Earthenware is a general term for a type of clay body. It is distinct from bone china and porcelain.

What is in Burleigh's clay?

Our clay includes: ball clay, china clay, flint and felspar. The flint gives the body additional strength and the felspar is a flux, which causes a chemical reaction during the firing process altering the temperature.

Are Burleigh products lead safe? 

Yes, Burleighware has passed the USA lead release tests (Prop 65).

No product, whether pottery or anything else, can be totally free of any trace of lead as long as there are sensitive enough analytical instruments to detect it. Modern instruments can detect lead and other elements down to parts per million level,  and therefore some evidence of lead and other heavy metals can be found if you look hard enough. Burleigh is currently investing in an improvement process to remove as much lead as possible from our manufacture. Whilst we have made great strides in this endeavour, we do not yet claim to be "lead-free". What we are assured in is the mandatory lead and heavy metal release testing shows none of our products were close to the limits allowed for food safe product during our last testing phase. We are confident that our products are appropriate for all food consumption purposes. 

I have a piece of Burleigh ware and would like to know its history.

We understand that Burleigh has a long history and many well loved pieces are passed down within families or acquired without any background knowledge. Unfortunately we do not offer the service of giving information regarding older pottery items made by us in the past. We can however recommend the book 'Burleigh the story of a pottery' by Julie McKeown (ISBN 0-903685-80-9) which contains a lot of useful information on past patters and shapes. For valuations we recommend that you contact a good quality auction house or antiques dealer.

How much is antique Burleighware worth?

Regrettably, we are not qualified to give valuations on antique pieces of Burleigh.

 

Visiting Us

Does Burleigh have a Factory shop? 

Yes, located on the lower floor of the former overseas warehouse at Middleport Pottery, our Factory Shop offers a wide range of seconds and discontinued lines. The Factory Shop is open 6 days a week, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Please note: we are closed on Monday's. For more information, email factoryshop@burgessandleigh.co.uk or call +44(0)1782 525510.

Is there parking? 

Yes, we have a car-park directly opposite the archway entrance to the factory which is for our visitors. The surrounding streets around Middleport Pottery are also free for parking if preferred. 

Is there disabled access? 

There is disabled access to our Factory Shop and Disabled toilets. Please take note that the pathways are cobbled stone and therefore are not deemed suitable for all. For information about disabled access to Factory tours please contact Middleport Pottery