The Royal Porcelain works, originally founded by Robert Chamberlain in Severn Street, has been redeveloped by the Bransford Trust, to create a new centre for the arts in Worcester.
The Hall
The 1852 showroom is at the heart of the Royal Porcelain Works development, refurbished to become a 140 seat capacity venue, equipped with the latest audio-visual technology.
The ‘Henry Sandon’ Hall is named in honour of Henry Sandon MBE. Born in the East End of London, Henry was educated at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe and went on to study music at the Guildhall School of Music before moving to Worcester, where he taught music at the Royal Grammar School and was a lay clerk in the Worcester Cathedral Choir.
In addition to his strong musical background, Henry is a renowned antique expert, specialising in ceramics. A notable authority on Royal Worcester Porcelain, Henry was a curator of the Dyson Perrins Museum for many years.
He is also a writer and television personality and is best known for his many appearances on the much-loved BBC television programme Antiques Roadshow. Henry Sandon was appointed an MBE in the 2008 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
The Gallery and The Studio provide flexible exhibition and workshop space for up to 115 people.
These spaces can be utilised as one large room, or securely divided into two separate spaces, depending on your event or exhibition requirements. With a soundproof dividing wall between the two and a door between the two, you have the option to create your own 'break-out' space, or simply hire one of the spaces individually.
The courtyard garden has been designed to provide a beautiful enclosed green space enticing visitors and is home to our outdoor events and courtyard markets.
It is a link between The Museum of Royal Worcester, The Hall and GoodRoots providing a quiet protected space for visitors to sit in and relax – a beautiful green retreat in the heart of the city, protected from the surrounding car park and roads beyond. The stone clad raised planters are designed at seating height with a shadow gap at the base hiding LED lighting for added drama in the evenings.
As the garden grows and matures it will become a source for garden inspired courses and plant sales providing material for making flower arrangements, cuttings for propagation and foliage for Christmas wreath making.
Good coffee, good cake and a good range of food (did someone say brunch?)
As you step through the door of GoodRoots you’re rewarded with a warm welcome and some seriously good coffee and cakes! It’s a hub of excitement, the perfect place to sit and recharge your batteries, catch up with friends, bring the family, the dog and enjoy.
All our treats, as you would expect, can be enjoyed here in this quirky, lovely light-filled space or our glorious sun-trap of a courtyard! Don't worry, when the colder days creep in we have our Victorian awning and cosy blankets to keep you warm! But if you really need to be somewhere else we’ll pack everything up into eco-friendly bio boxes.
Dogs always welcome, we just ask that paws stay on the floors!
~ OUR ETHOS IS ABOUT SERVING GOOD FOOD, IN A GOOD VIBE TO GOOD PEOPLE ~We are working towards being an ethical and sustainably run business, supporting local producers and minimising our carbon impact on our local community.
Piston Distillery was founded in 2018 by Nick Weatherall.
In love with the idea of creating his own spirits and fascinated by a trip to a gin school in the summer of 2017, Nick felt compelled to find a flavour he felt the gin world was lacking. So he started by building a distillery, re-tasking part of the old Royal Worcester Porcelain Works.Nick and his team have brought new life to this abandoned and near derelict historic site – today the Piston Distillery is vibrant and busy with the sounds and smells of twenty-first century, hand-crafted industry as our signature Piston Gin is distilled.
“I’m a maker, I can’t help but tinker with things to try and make them better, nothing leaves until it’s as close to perfect as we can make it, it’s something of a curse but one I’ve come to rely on”
Piston Distillery and Shop is open Monday to Friday 10-5pm and Saturday 10-4pm, pop in and see the range of gin, try a taster, explore the distillery and browse the merchandise.
Gin School
Experience Piston’s unique distillery
Enjoy 3 hours in our distillery for an in-depth learning experience:
Discover the history and heritage of gin and the art of distillation whilst enjoying some light snacks
Create your own recipe from our selection of 70 botanicals
Make and label your very own bottle of gin to take home with you
The best way to experience the Gin School is in a pair which costs £130 for two people to share one of twelve work stations – you’ll just have to share the bottle of gin you make!
To book, visit the Piston Distillery, call 01905 611 293 or visit our website. Spaces are limited, so get in quick to secure your spot.
I'm really impressed. This piston fires on all cylinders - a very impressive debut from an exciting new distillery.
Ian Buxton, best-selling author of 101 Gins to Try Before You Die.
Chamberlain Court is a unique development of townhouses and apartments in Severn Street which combines contemporary living with Worcester’s historic Victorian heritage.
The residential development at Royal Porcelain Works was conceived by The Bransford Trust, together with an expert team of local planners, architects and development consultants, ensuring that these homes will not only offer the very best in contemporary living but will also sympathetically blend with this historic site.
