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The village of Bovey Tracey became the focus of a pottery industry that exploited the fine clay, known as ball clay, found in the basin of the River Bovey. In 1750 Lord William Courtenay, Earl of Devon, opened the clay and lignite pit at what is now known as Blue Waters. Potters from Staffordshire established potteries in the village that produced creamware, pearlware, printed blue ware and over the years many other ceramic products, the best of which rivalled that of Staffordshire in quality. It was hoped that the lignite (brown coal) would fuel the kilns but the required temperature for fine china could not be reached so coal was imported via the Stover Canal.

"There is a wealth of Bovey Tracey pottery, much of it unidentified, awaiting collectors all over the world."

Information from: Brian Adams. Bovey Tracey Potteries: Guide and Marks. Published by House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey, 2005. ISBN 0-9549744-0-9. Mr Adams is curator of the pottery museum at House of Marbles. Recommended.