Rachel Padley

I grew up surrounded by creativity.  My father was a painter, art teacher, and historian; my mother, a ballet dancer, artist’s model, and researcher. Paint, clay, and romps through churchyards were part of daily life—art and curiosity were woven into everything we did.

After leaving school, I began training as a stone carver at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Wanting to broaden my creative skills, I went on to study Fine Art at Kennington Art School, where I specialised in sculpture.

I then spent several years travelling the country as a conservator of ancient stone monuments, working on historic sites including the chapel at Arundel Castle and Harewood House in Yorkshire.

Eventually, I returned to Herefordshire. While marriage and motherhood ended my days of travel, they didn’t quiet my creative drive. I joined a pottery class and soon discovered a passion for throwing pots—bringing together my sculptural background with a love of form and function.

Today, I produce a wide range of brightly coloured, functional pottery including bowls, mugs, jugs, and vases, alongside sculptural garden pieces. My popular Green Man range is complemented by birdbaths and fountains that bring a sense of play and mythology to outdoor spaces.