Anchor Pottery was started by John Buchanan in Hayle, Cornwall in 1966. Hayle was once a very important port and commercial centre. It was the place where Ian Trevithick developed his steam engine. By the 1960s, though, it had begun its decline as a trading centre.

In 1971 John closed the pottery in Hayle and moved to nearby St Ives, and then in 1976 moved to his current location in Halsetown on the road from St Ives to Penzance, the B3311. Anchor Pottery runs courses for potters and artists as well as producing domestic wares and studio pieces in stoneware and porcelain.

An anchor mark is used for the the standard ware and a JB monogram for the studio pieces.