Doulton’s Claypit; former source of clay for Royal Doulton and SSSI

The site is a result of fireclay extraction by Royal Doulton, between 1870 and 1940, which has left behind high exposures of sandstone, clay and coal. Previously called Saltwells Clay Field, the Royal Doulton Company bought the site and extracted clay for fine china and sanitary ware for 70 years until the 1930s. The clay was carried out along a tub line to the canal. The pit is now a Site of Special Scientific Interest on account of being the best exposure of the Productive Coal Measures in the South Staffordshire Coalfield.