Looking for pottery classes in London? If you’re keen to try your hand at ceramics (London style of course) here’s your one-stop guide to the best pottery classes in London — from a local.
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Taking a pottery class in London is one of those things every Londoner seems to say they’ll do one day…and then they never do.
But if you’re willing to swap an evening of pubbing or clubbing for some messy hands and soft clay, you may just find your new favourite London activity.
If you’re a local, consider this your official sign to spice up your weekend plans, and if you’re travelling to London, consider this your sign to skip the Big Ben keychain in lieu of a ceramic souvenir. Either way, here’s the 10 best pottery classes in London to get you started.
1. Social Pottery London
120 Kentish Town Road, Kentish Town, NW1 9PY
Although pottery making is a solo affair that doesn’t mean you can’t make a friend or two while you do it! Nestled on Kentish Town Road Social Pottery takes a different approach to expressing your artistic side, with an emphasis on connecting and making new friends while you explore your creativity.
If you’re keen on wheel throwing, this probably isn’t the place for you. But if you like to paint and could see yourself, for example, enjoying a BYOB pottery painting session (I’m in) you’ve found your Nirvana.
Classes start from: £25
2. Crown Works Pottery
11 Temple Street, E2 6QQ
You’d have to be in the ‘pottery scene’ to know who Steve Sheridan is, but all you need to know is he’s an amazing Ceramist, and Giulietta Hextall trained under him — then opened Crown Works Pottery.
Hidden behind an old Victorian mews you can spend the day in Bethnal Green becoming an expert (okay, really decent) potter in just a few hours time.
If you want the full experience, consider taking their one-day sessions (from 11am-5pm) where you’ll learn everything from pulling and shaping to weighing and balling the perfect clay masterpiece.
Classes start from: £55
3. The Kiln Rooms
Across London
First off, can I just say I wish I looked this smooth making pottery — but moving on. Splattered across London The Kiln Rooms is your one stop shop for all things ceramics. Once here, you’ll be given all the materials, tools and equipment you need to start clay making like a pro.
Their approach is super hands on, so expect lots of demonstrations and D-I-Y exercises to progress your pottering skills quite quickly.
Classes start from: £85
4. Turning Earth
Arch 403 Cremer St, E2 8HD
With a bold name like ‘Turning Earth’ you would hope this studio knows their stuff, and luckily they don’t disappoint.
Built for intimate sessions and exclusivity Turning Earth is where you to go escape the city hustle and dig your hands in some clay. It’s also one of the only studios in London to truly offer ‘drop-in’ sessions, and by that I mean you can come in any time during opening hours (with their exclusive membership package) fit with mentoring, full-equipment use and firing.
Sessions start from: £250
P.S – They also have a studio in Leyton!
5. Skandihus
90 De Beauvoir Road, N1 4EN
We all know the London hustle can be a lot — which is exactly why Stine Dulong — a Danish lawyer turned pottery extrodinaire decided to quit her day job and turn to pottering full-time.
What started as a humble studio filled with natural lights, plants and of course, clay creations turned into Skandihus, a lovely pottery studio tucked in Dalston (and now Hackney too!). If you want to clay it up you can try their 6 or 12-week courses running throughout the week, a taster sessions if you’re new to the game, or drop-in on a Thursday or Sunday if you fancy mixing up your Londoning with something different.
Classes start from: £35
P.S. – Due to its popularity their courses usually sell out fast — so book as early as you can!
6. Jess Jos
Stepney City Farm, E1 3DG
If you’re looking for the kind of clay creations you’ll actually use (instead of you know, accidentally sticking in your closet for six months and forgetting about it) Jess Jos’ Stepney City Farm Studio is the place for you.
Head over on the evenings or weekends to make your very own bespoke homeware — from mugs and bowls to plates and coffee pots. If you really want to get down and dirty, consider taking an intensive 4 day course for beginners to learn all the ins and outs of clay making.
Classes start from: £50
7. Freya’s Clay Club
Unit 18 & 19 Kingsgate Workshops, 110-116 Kingsgate Rd, NW6 2JG
Everything that comes out of Freya’s Clay Club is made from the soul, and it shows. Founded out of 30 years of experience, Chris Bramble took his teaching (and his daughters Freya and Yolande — both who both share their father’s passion) and opened Freya’s Clay Club, a private studio and community filled with relaxed studio sessions and an intimate space to release your creativity.
Whether you’re a beginner or ‘improver’ as they say, there’s a space for everyone here. It’s also one of the best places for couples pottery classes in London.
Classes start from: £40
8. Ceramics Studio Co-op
Units 14C, 16C, 17C Juno Way, London SE14 5RW
Opened in 2014 Ceramics Studio Co-op is a South London favorite. Run and ran by local artist the space is a ‘worker’s cooperative’ meaning everything is owned and run by the employees — cool huh!
Professionals and amateurs are very much welcome, and if you’re ever in New Cross, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon pinching, coiling and slab building ceramic creations, all while feeling apart of a community.
Classes start from: £57
9. Kana, Hackney
5A Gransden Avenue, Hackney, London E8 3QA
The ‘clay scene’ can feel quite intimidating if you’re new to ceramics, which is exactly why Kana exists. Taking a holistic approach to all things pottery Kana helps you fully immerse yourself in the art and community that comes with clay making.
From intimate hands-on taster sessions to retreats across the globe, this is where you go to truly dive into the world of pottery.
P.S – Classes here are handcraft — meaning all pieces are made organically, without a wheel
Classes start from: £55
10. Claytime Pottery Place
168 Blackstock Road, Highbury, N5 1HA
I know, I know, can’t leave the little ones out! Claytime Pottery Place was made with fostering children’s creavitiy in mind. A non-profit and colorful hub that’ll totally make your kid say ‘best parent ever!’ you can pop in for an afternoon of painting, glazing and clay making (minus the mess).
But don’t worry, adults can have fun here too, courses run throughout the week for beginner to intermediate sessions.
Classes start from: £32
11. Stuff and Fings
Peckham Levels, 95a Rye Ln, London SE15 4ST
Nestled right in the popping Peckham Levels, Stuff and Fings is one of the newer studios in London only just opening in 2019, and has quickly (but rightfully so) become one of the hottest studios for people looking to try their hand at ceramics.
No matter if you’re a beginner, or an old pro at pottery, this is the place to be if you’re struggling with ideas. Come as yourself, and they’re ready to welcome you in with a fresh blank slate, proud to be a place that will nurture your creativity!
Classes start from: £45
12. Ceramics Sculpture Studio
12, 114 – 116 Kingsgate Rd, London NW6 2JG
Right in the heart of West Hampstead inside a timeless Victorian Warehouse sits the Ceramics Sculpture Studio.
If you’re looking to learn the craft of ceramics, explore your own creativity, and do it all with the intention of keeping it fun, (as you should!) the owner Cosmin Ciofirdel, an established sculptor and pottery designer himself, has got you covered.
Growing from his innocent love of making mud pottery by the riverbank as a child, he’s sharing this passion with the world, and boy we’re thankful for it.
Classes start from: £65
13. Islington Arts Factory
2 Parkhurst Rd, London N7 0SF
Inside the Islington Arts Factory, you’ll find all sorts of things from dance, to percussion, but most importantly pottery classes.
If you’re searching for a no fuss, no stress beginners class thats still filled with fun, Kaley Holderness is who you want to speak to.
Running this more lowkey community class, over the course of 4 sessions, she’ll teach you everything there is to know about clay, from pressing and molding to the final steps of refining and glazing and who knows, maybe this is your new calling.
Or, if you already sorta know the ropes enough to be considered an intermediate at least, there are 2 hour classes, twice a week which might be the better option when choosing!
Classes start from: £30
14. Columbia Road Clay
Studio 13-14, Sunbury Workshops, Swanfield St, London E2 7LF
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I know you’ve heard about the Columbia Road Flower Market, but I’ll forgive you if you haven’t heard of Columbia Road Clay.
But you should! So I’m here to tell you about it.
The bright and open studio invites you in with welcoming vibes, and the talented tutors will teach you about all the wonders of clay, plus they have schemes to make it accessible to the East London community so an extra woohoo for local life in London!
They also offer select free workshops, alongside low cost weekly sessions, where you can get your hands on some clay while experiencing the therapeutic side of creating with it.
Classes start from: £60
15. Studio Pottery London
29 Eccleston Pl, London SW1W 9NF
With floor to ceiling windows, and an open floor of 12 wheels, you can test your hand at pottery while basking in South West London sun at Studio Pottery London.
Being in Belgravia, it’s on the more expensive end and will cost you some coin for one class. But, if you’re a bit more experienced or really dedicated to learning the pottery ropes, it might be worth checking out their longterm studio space.
By signing up as a member, you’re granted access to special studio time, lessons with the resident potters, personal storage space, materials galore and a ton of other great goodies.
Classes start from: £130
Happy pottering,
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