Inspiration

Hedgerow blackberrying and seaside picnicking with Emma Bridgewater in Norfolk

Sawday's Expert

5 min read

We spoke to Emma Bridgewater, ceramicist and founder of the much-loved pottery and homeware company, about her memories of Norfolk and the inspiration she finds in its landscape.

Tagged with:

Norfolk

What were the factors that first drew you to country life?

Growing up, my father lived in the country outside Cambridge, my mother in the centre of Oxford so I am equally at home with grass or paving stones under foot.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?

I love travelling and it’s often a great source of inspiration, so I try to do it as much as I can. I do spend a lot of time outside when I’m at home, where I live is particularly good for that, so I can often be found cycling or walking in Norfolk (with not a trace of lycra in sight I might add!) on a very ‘District Nurse’ sort of bicycle.

When are you at your happiest?

In my professional life, I love the buzz of the factory, the fact that we are all engaged in a big cooperative creative act of making. In my personal life, I always loved the creative impulse behind making a family home. But, these days my children are grown up, so I am lucky to get enormous pleasure being out of doors (walking along the beach in Norfolk is a favourite). There is nothing like walking to promote really good conversation.

Why do you feel drawn to Norfolk?

Norfolk is where we lived as a family for 16 very, very happy years, it’s where our children grew up – it is also where my mother grew up. And her mother, and her grandmother, and so on – right back into the mists. From my desk by the upstairs window, my view stretches out across fields, over the village where Granny lived. I spent countless childish days picking strawberries, raspberries and red currants in her garden, and blackberries with her out in these same fields. Norfolk will always feel like home to me.

We know that you love spending time outdoors, do you have a favourite walking route that is close to home?

I am spoilt for choice with lots of places to walk within five miles of my home on the coast in Norfolk. At low tide there is open sand beyond the salt marshes, some days that is a favourite. I also love the austere pebbly walks along the sand spit beside the sea. And for a change, there are generous permissive paths through lovely woods also nearby.

Where would be your dream staycation?

Having lived in London and Oxfordshire I find myself living in Norfolk again. I am grateful I spent lockdown there. There’s nothing quite like the coast, watching people coming in on boats, and a big picnic on the marsh. I think staycations are fantastic and really hope this will bring a renaissance of our own seaside holidays. It makes my heart sing seeing people enjoy the English coast, and I love that sleepy places are getting new interest.

Browse all our special places to stay in Norfolk >

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Ruth Richardson

Sawday's Expert

Ruth loves a good story. Following a decade living in London and working in publishing, her ears are always pricked for a spicy plot twist or unforgettable character. She delights in meeting hosts and discovering the history that brought saffron to her spaghetti, the hiking detours that will lead to temple ruins, and why someone cares so passionately about their special corner of the world. She loves that as a marketer for Sawday’s she can share these stories with others too.

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