Unpredictable beauty at Widemouth Bay
On the fringes of Cornwall, Widemouth Bay is home to Parsons Pottery, where the unpredictable beauty of throwing and glazing mirrors the everchanging seascape.
“I drive the coast road and I see the coastal view every single day and it’s just such a good way to start a morning,” says Phoebe Cook of Parsons Pottery.
“No matter what kind of weather it is, there’s always something new there. There’s always something new to think about and look at. And we always say that our pots are kind of inspired [by] or look like the landscape a lot.”
“We throw in porcelain, which is quite an expensive and delicate material… you get different colours in porcelain so for example we do blues and greens and black,” says Phoebe. “A lot of people liken this to the sea and different landscapes.”
ANYONE CAN DO IT
Phoebe has been working alongside owners John and Rosie since 2023, helping them with their pottery studio on a farm – and just as the Widemouth coastline captures her attention, Phoebe was instantly captivated by pottery.
“I came for a lesson and I was pretty good my first try”, Phoebe laughs. “So I just kept coming back. And then eventually they hired me and I just haven’t left since.”
And as John and Rosie taught Phoebe the art of throwing, they are passionate about showing others the ropes. “[We] split our time between doing a variety of lessons and making our own stuff at the same time”, Phoebe explains. The pottery runs “a lot of different courses” and “try and teach anyone”, she adds.
“It’s something that everyone can get on board with. My boss always says it’s like laying a brick. It’s just a set of movements. It’s just a skill that you can learn. So literally anyone can do it.”
The course offerings include taster sessions for groups, individual lessons for more intensive learning, and six-week courses next to the sea – catering to all experience levels and helping visitors to hone the craft of pottery making.
GETTING GROUNDED
Asked why she enjoys pottery, Phoebe says it’s all about how it stops the workings of her mind: “So a lot of people in our lesson say it’s really therapeutic, or they just don’t need to think when they’re doing it.”
“That’s what I like about it. I often overthink a lot of things, like I’m sure most people do… and I know that if I sit on the wheel and I do this exact set of hand movements, it will turn out exactly how I want. But there are some people who like the absolute unpredictability of it and how different it can be every time.”
CHANGING LANDSCAPES
When she’s not at the wheel, Phoebe explores the area around Widemouth, a two mile sandy stretch known for its sense of wilderness and beautiful coastal walking trails – and during the secret season she especially loves the changing landscapes.
“I can sit at the lookout point in the morning and it’s lovely. Blue sky is really clear. I can see all the way across the bay and then in the afternoon I can sit there again and it’s stormy and the waves are crashing on the shore.”
“One day you can go out for a lovely walk, and the next day you’re sat in a pub and you’re having a lunch and nice drink, and just watching it rain outside. It‘s just so unpredictable all the time, I think. That’s my favourite part.”
BEYOND THE BEACH
Phoebe recommends visiting the Beach House, a local bar which backs onto the dunes and is surrounded by golden sand, coves and rockpools. “It’s a lovely place, especially with the sun setting, and you get a great view.”
Another secret season recommendation is North Coast Wine Bar, a ten-minute drive away in Bude: “That’s right in the centre of town and you can overlook the triangle and middle of town. They’ve got a nice outdoor seating area with some heating above you as well. They do loads of cocktail specials and wines from around the world.”
While you’re there, head to Bude Canal where several miles of waterway combine long walking trails with “a lot of wildlife”, and places to eat and drink along the way.
Find your secret reason to be at the coast in Widemouth
