A HIDDEN story of clay, creativity and friendship will come to light this autumn at Godolphin in west Cornwall, as the National Trust unveils a new exhibition celebrating the short-lived but remarkable Cider House Pottery.

Opening on Saturday, September 6, Godolphin: A Studio Pottery Story takes visitors back to the 1970s, when artists Mike Dodd and Peter Schofield set up a working studio in a converted cider house nestled amongst the bluebell woods within the grounds of Godolphin House.

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding Cornish landscape, they crafted simple, beautiful pots using local materials, including China clay from nearby Tregonning Hill.

Now, for the first time since the studio closed, visitors can explore their story and see original works on display.

“Sometimes the recent history of our places is just as vulnerable to loss as their ancient past,” said National Trust cultural heritage curator Emma Philip.

“In this exhibition we share the story of the Cider House Pottery, which ran for just four years in the 1970s, but was a place where unique and useful pots were created from the minerals, rocks and clays of Cornwall.”

The exhibition, which takes place in the historic King’s Room of Godolphin House, is included with general admission and runs from Saturday, September 6 to Thursday, October 9.

As part of the celebrations, visitors will also be able to get hands-on with clay. On Saturday, September 20, the team from Leach Pottery in St Ives will host walk-in pottery workshops at Godolphin, where families and aspiring potters can have a go at making their own ceramic badge and watch expert potters throwing on the wheel.

To find out more about upcoming events at Goldolphin, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/godolphin/events