Marlborough Terracotta

That variation is the whole point — these are handmade, characterful tiles, so gentle differences in colour, tone, size and surface texture are entirely natural and give a finished wall its warmth and individuality. We'd always recommend ordering from a single batch where possible and mixing tiles from several boxes as you fix, so the natural variation is distributed evenly across the wall.

Often, yes. A crackle glaze has fine decorative cracks in the surface that can absorb moisture and staining, so it should be sealed before grouting and ideally again afterwards to protect it — particularly important behind hobs and basins. Glazed terracotta and other handmade tiles can also benefit from sealing, and we'll advise on the right sealer and method for your chosen range.

Yes — they're a beautiful choice for kitchen splashbacks, bathroom and shower walls, feature walls and chimney breasts. Sealed correctly, they cope well with the splashes and humidity of these rooms. They're primarily wall tiles, so if you're considering a floor or a heavy-wear area, check the individual product details or ask our Ascot team first.

Because handmade tiles have slightly undulating surfaces and irregular edges, they look best fixed by an experienced tiler who can work with that character — using the right adhesive, allowing for the uneven faces, and setting a grout joint that suits the style. A little extra care at the fixing stage makes all the difference to the finished result.

Measure the area you're covering, add around 10% for cuts and breakages, and round up — then add any patterned decors or borders separately according to your design. Because handmade ranges can vary between production runs, it's worth ordering everything together from the same batch. Our team is always happy to help you work out quantities.

Yes — handmade glazes and hand-painted decors are best seen in person, where you can appreciate the colour, crackle and surface in your own light. We offer free cut samples to collect from our Ascot showroom, or posted for a small postage charge, and you're very welcome to visit the showroom to see the full range.