Description:Josiah Wedgwood’s factory at Etruria was officially opened in 1769, a year after it was completed. Situated on a large site on the outskirts of Hanley it had the advantage of being on the banks of the newly constructed Trent & Mersey Canal. This strategic location was an important marketing move, offering excellent communications with the seaport of Liverpool. Raw materials from Cornwall also came via this route.
Operations were steadily moved to the new 'garden' site of Barlaston from 1938, and by the 1950’s Etruria was no longer the main factory.