In 1955 when Michael Leach and his brother David decided to part company with the Leach Pottery at St Ives, David set up the Aylesford Pottery in Kent and Michael started the Yelland Manor Pottery, better known as just Yelland Pottery, at Fremington in North Devon.

He continued to work the pottery until shortly before his death in 1985. He was helped, at one time by Frannie, who married Philip, Michael's son. The couple now run the nearby Springfield Pottery.