Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
4.5
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, a National Historic Landmark, is a non-profit working history museum operated by The TileWorks of Bucks County. Built between 1911 and 1912 by Henry Chapman Mercer, the TileWorks carries on Mercer's tradition of storytelling with the molds, tools and processes he developed over a century ago to make tiles using Bucks County's wild clay. Honor the Past to Inspire the Future.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
224 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
82
Average
15
Poor
3
Terrible
0
kpslas
Hackettstown, NJ242 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
We booked the self-guided tour online the day before our visit. The video that begins the tour is very interesting and does a great job explaining and showing how the tiles are made (the same way for over 100 years!). The tile maker at the end of the self-guided walk was super friendly. As she made tiles she explained what she was doing and answered all our questions. Of course we had to buy a couple of tiles in the gift shop. The hardest part was choosing which ones out of Henry Mercer’s original designs to take home!
Written October 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
b w
Coral Springs, FL119 contributions
Jul 2022
The self-guided tour and brief film are the warm-up to see how these beautiful unique hand-made tiles are produced. There are craftsmen present who demonstrate the process. Must see with Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle. Note: there's no A/C.
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jervic3
Randolph, NJ189 contributions
Feb 2023
American history lives on here. One of the last tile making factories in the US. You will see a short film about Mr.Mercer, an archeologist, and how he became a tile maker. The building is original, a little clumsy to navigate, but very worthwhile seeing. The workers will explain the process of blending clay, how it is moulded, fired and glazed. Have enough hands on activities to keep children interested. Extensive gift shop as well.
Written February 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rooindie
Sioux Falls, SD932 contributions
Apr 2023
We spent about an hour watching the video and doing the self-guided tour. There is some lovely tile-work to see, and it was interesting to see some tile work being done by hand. It's a bit chilly inside, so dress accordingly.
Written April 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colette A
Oswego, NY283 contributions
Dec 2022
The old tile factory is still up and running for visitors to see the process of hand made tiles. It's quite interesting. The old building itself is a joy to see but getting to see the artisans making the tiles and having the process explained was fascinating. I loved the old pictures of the workers when the factory was in full swing.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian M
Laurel, MD138 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
If you go to the castle, go next door and take the short tour and see the video. Helps you appreciate Mercer’s tile creations and the tile in his house. Watch a craftsman make tiles from local clay, just as it was done a hundred years ago.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrpesce
Doylestown, PA609 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Stopped with my wife as it is just down the street yet we’ve never been. It’s a pretty cool little place with a self guided tour and live demonstrations by active employees. Not big but if you’re in town, worth a look.
Written February 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DC_Donk
Gettysburg, PA9 contributions
Aug 2020
My wife and I were visiting the Fonthill Castle and discussed a future gift shop construction with the gentleman on duty at the ticket desk. That's when we learned that tiles are available for sale at the Moravian Pottery building, so we walked over and saw the "by appointment only" sign. I called the number and asked if we could make an appointment to look at the tiles in the tile shop, and was told that although appointments are on the hour, nobody was in the tile shop so we could come in.
While we were looking at the inventory another couple called and was told the same thing, so they came in to look at tiles also. They ended up leaving before us, and after some time we purchased a tile and left as well.
I guess four customers in the 1 p.m. hour were just too much for the two women on duty in the tile shop, because we overheard one of them call over to the castle ticket desk and scold the person on duty there, apparently because he told people they could come over the tile shop and ask for an appointment outside of the on-the-hour rule. We were annoyed by what a lazy and rude attitude that call displayed.
Based on the buckscounty.org website page about the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the rule applies only to paid museum tours: "Admission into the museum is limited to 4 persons per hour, on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m... with no charge for access to the tile shop." The rule is fine for the paid tour, but the tile shop? That's independent of the tours and customers should be welcomed, not grudgingly allowed in by two employees with nothing better to do except sit and talk about what they're doing for lunch, which is what they were doing the whole time we were there.
I would point out that if a gift shop expects its customers to wait 50 minutes to enter because they arrived at 10 past the hour, they might lose all their customers after a while, with their jobs to follow. Or put another way, don't abuse your gift shop customers with a stupidly arbitrary rule that limits their entry.
While we were looking at the inventory another couple called and was told the same thing, so they came in to look at tiles also. They ended up leaving before us, and after some time we purchased a tile and left as well.
I guess four customers in the 1 p.m. hour were just too much for the two women on duty in the tile shop, because we overheard one of them call over to the castle ticket desk and scold the person on duty there, apparently because he told people they could come over the tile shop and ask for an appointment outside of the on-the-hour rule. We were annoyed by what a lazy and rude attitude that call displayed.
Based on the buckscounty.org website page about the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the rule applies only to paid museum tours: "Admission into the museum is limited to 4 persons per hour, on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m... with no charge for access to the tile shop." The rule is fine for the paid tour, but the tile shop? That's independent of the tours and customers should be welcomed, not grudgingly allowed in by two employees with nothing better to do except sit and talk about what they're doing for lunch, which is what they were doing the whole time we were there.
I would point out that if a gift shop expects its customers to wait 50 minutes to enter because they arrived at 10 past the hour, they might lose all their customers after a while, with their jobs to follow. Or put another way, don't abuse your gift shop customers with a stupidly arbitrary rule that limits their entry.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoingPlacesWanderlust
Lehigh Valley, PA537 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Really enjoyed the tile works! So much history and then you see them continuing this tile making today using the same process! Even use local clay from Quakertown. The most interesting thing I found was that Mr. Mercer was a potter but unfortunately he could not make a pot or a vase - so he started doing tiles instead! This is so interesting that he technically by most standards was a failure! BUT.... turn that failure into something phenomenal! Wonderful story! Enjoyed everything and will go to the castle next time and return to the gift shop - wonderfully unique gifts!!!
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christina M
Suffern, New York, United States7 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
After visiting fonthill next door we went to visit the tile works which was interesting to see but the employee we met there ruined the whole experience and should not work with the public as she obviously dislikes them! We arrived at the showroom sales area at 3:30 to 4:30 pm and the noted a flyer on the counter advertising free tours for the holidays being held the next day! I asked the lady behind the counter about revisiting then and she cut me off saying I can't talk to you now I am doing some paperwork. I apologized and went on to look at the tiles for sale I saw the sales women walking in the store so asked her if there were tours still available and she very rudely said No we stop tours at four NO tours now! Okayyyyy I picked a tile to purchase the went to the counter and waited until the woman in front of me was done paying and the saleswoman was wrapping her purchase before I again inquired about the free open house the next day only to be curtly and I do mean curtly told "I can't talk to YOU until I am finished with this customer at which the customer raised her eyes in shock at the saleswoman and gave me the "are you kidding me?"Look . She couldn't believe how nasty this sales person was sounding. When I then purchased my item I said sympathetically "this is probably been a long day for you? You seem a little stressed?" I'm not stressed she barked then she back tracked and told me If I had looked in the paper I would have seen adverts regarding the open house! I told her as I was from another state visiting as a tourist I don't get local Pennsylvania newspapers.She then gave me a small spat of information about the following days event and what you would see on a typical tour. Overall she made a pleasant day ruined with her attitude and I will not return
Written December 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mikereyno
West Trenton, NJ4 contributions
We have a seasonal fireplace tile that was originally purchased in 1982. It hung over our fireplaces in our two prior homes. We are now in a new downsized home and are thinking of putting this tile outside. Does it need to be treated any particular way in order to withstand the elements?
linda v
Pipersville, PA15 contributions
Hi!
I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your question. We were closed for business for 2 months; our tiles are not recommended or suggested for outdoor use without the protection of an overhang or sheltered area.
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Claim your listingMoravian Pottery and Tile Works - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Moravian Pottery and Tile Works
- Moravian Pottery and Tile Works is open:
- Tue - Tue 10:00 AM - 5:00 AM
- Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Moravian Pottery and Tile Works:
- (0.34 mi) Mainstreet Inn
- (1.01 mi) Doylestown Inn
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- Restaurants near Moravian Pottery and Tile Works:
- (0.50 mi) OOKA Sushi . Bar . Hibachi Steak house
- (0.33 mi) Poco's Mexican-American Restaurant, Bar & Comedy Cabaret
- (0.33 mi) Maryanne Pastry Shoppe
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- (0.40 mi) Bacco Bistro & Pizza