The Nantgarw Pottery was established in 1813 by William Billingsley (also known as William Beeley) and his son-in-law, Samuel Walker. The pottery was situated alongside the Glamorganshire Canal, along which the china clay was transported from Cardiff and the finished products sent back for shipping to London. The pottery specialised in the manufacture of soft porcelain, but financial problems led to its closure in 1819. Production recommenced at the pottery in 1833 under the management of William Henry Pardoe. The pottery concentrated on producing clay pipes and a brown glazed earthenware known as Rockingham pottery. The pottery eventually closed in 1921.