The Cat Pottery - Leyburn

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For 2 generations, since 1982, the Nichols family have been modelling Moorside cats in the beautiful Wensleydale village of West Burton. Shirley & Sarah have both studied sculpture, and have 11 years of professional training between them. They create lifelike, tactile sculptures, not abstractions. They spend weeks on each cat, perfecting each hair, even making sure the eyes are sparkling with life. The workshop is wheelchair accessible and based in the beautiful village of West Burton, hidden in the secluded valley of Walden. The village green is surrounded by a traditional pub, the village school, the store and post office, the butcher and the antiques shop, all contributing to an atmosphere of peaceful village life, enhanced by the gentle sound of the hidden waterfall.

Stone Garden cats are life size, life like and cast in resin and grey granite, making them impervious to the weather. The large metallic cats are made from aluminium and resin, with a smooth finish. They can be indoor or outdoor cats. Hand size metallic cats are smooth, shiny, solid and extremely tactile. They fit in the palm of the hand and make a perfect gift. Our family cats Chloe, Orlando, Zoe,Tilda, Millie and since July 2007, Ruby are the inspiration behind the sculptures upon which all the ceramic, metallic and stone cats are based.