Staffordshire Day: Introducing the world’s first Bottle Kiln Bug Hotel at Monkey Forest

To celebrate Staffordshire Day 2022, Monkey Forest has erected the world’s first bottle kiln bug hotel, in a respectful nod to the counties culture on this momentous day.

 

On May 1st, over 260 years ago, Josiah Wedgwood set up his now world-famous pottery company in 1759, helping to transform Staffordshire into the centre of the world’s ceramics industry.

 

Bottle kilns were typical of the industrial landscape of Stoke-on-Trent. Stoke skylines were once dominated by thousands of smoky “bottle kilns” used for firing the pottery ware. So it felt appropriate for Steve, our head of maintenance, to build a bug hotel for the local Staffordshire wildlife so that our bug buddies can have a space to call home and we too get to appreciate this special and unique heritage.

 

It took Steve seven days to build the fantastic new feature completely from scratch. Steve also used upcycled handmade bricks reclaimed on-site, which were likely to have been made around 70-100 years ago in Stoke-on-Trent.

 

It is absolutely fantastic that people love to visit Staffordshire and embrace the brilliant array of attractions that the county has to offer. Monkey Forest is so proud to be a part of this and to also celebrate the unique local culture!

 

Happy Staffordshire Day from all of us here at Monkey Forest!

 

See here our Opening Times for when you can next see this stunning structure!