Watcombe Pottery was a Devon pottery founded near Torquay around 1869–70, following the discovery of fine red clay on the Watcombe estate at St Marychurch. It became one of the principal makers of what is now known collectively as Torquay pottery, alongside firms such as Aller Vale and Longpark.
In its early years Watcombe was known for high-quality unglazed or lightly glazed terracotta, including classical vases, busts, figures, plaques and tea wares, often decorated with turquoise enamel bands or painted motifs that reflected the Victorian taste for antiquity. As fashions changed the firm moved towards coloured glazes and slip decoration, and in 1901 it merged with Aller Vale to form the Royal Aller Vale and Watcombe Pottery Company. Later production focused heavily on cheerful souvenir and motto ware, with scratched mottoes and cottage, cockerel or floral designs that were sold widely to holidaymakers. Collectors divide broadly between the refined early terracotta and the later motto wares. Impressed or printed marks help identify pieces, and chips, crazing and worn decoration should be considered when assessing condition and value.
