Pottery has become increasingly popular in recent years, with shows like The Great British Pottery Throw Down bringing this unique craft to the mainstream. London, in particular, has seen a surge in demand for pottery classes, with dozens of locations offering lessons for beginners.
For those looking to unleash their creativity in the capital, this article provides a guide to the best pottery classes in London. Whether you’re a complete novice or have some experience with pottery, there’s something for everyone. From practical tips to the top-rated classes, this guide has got you covered.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Pottery classes have become popular in London thanks to shows like The Great British Pottery Throw Down.
- There are many locations in London offering pottery classes for beginners.
- This article provides a guide to the best pottery classes in London, with practical tips for exploring the options available.
Best Pottery Classes in London
Social Pottery
Located in Kentish Town, Social Pottery takes a unique approach to its pottery classes. While they offer a pottery-making taster class, their main courses focus on pottery painting sessions. They offer various experiences, including pottery painting for children, late-night pottery painting, daytime pottery painting, boozy pottery painting, and late-night boozy pottery painting. The sessions include music, lights, and refreshments, making for a fun and social experience.
Crown Works Pottery
Crown Works Pottery is a charming studio located in a Victorian mews near Bethnal Green. Led by a full-time professional potter, classes come in various shapes and sizes, including taster sessions, beginner and intermediate courses, and one-off specialist masterclasses. The studio’s light and airy space provides the perfect environment for budding potters of all skills to learn.
The Kiln Room
Located in Peckham, The Kiln Rooms is one of South London’s premier pottery studios. They offer one-off taster sessions and 12-week beginner courses that feed into the 12-week intermediate classes. The studio has built a friendly and supportive environment and community, making for a welcoming experience in South East London.
Turning Earth
Turning Earth has four studios across North and East London, providing a supportive and fun environment for potters of all abilities and expertise. Alongside their classes, they offer open-access membership, which they describe as “like a gym membership for potters.” Classes are available at each of the four studios, from week-long intensive courses to classes at the same time each week. Expect a mix of beginners and intermediates options, alongside studies in a range of specialist disciplines such as wheel throwing.
Skandihus
Founded by Danish corporate lawyer Stine Dulong, Skandihus has three studios located in De Beauvoir, Hackney, and Walthamstow. Classes come in various sizes to fit any interest and ability level, from 3-hour drop-in sessions for capable potters to specially-tailored 6, 8, and 12-week courses designed for complete beginners and those with some experience.
Jess Jos
Located in the heart of Stepney City Farm, Jess Jos offers classes for everyone from novices to master classes. Owned by Jess Joslin, creator of her own ceramics at her studio in East London, her father, Tony, shares the teaching duties, designed to get potters used to handling clay before throwing it down onto a wheel in the more intermediate sessions. From intensive classes to weekend classes for beginners and improvers, Tony and Jess offer one-off private classes and specialist courses, such as glazing or specialist makes.
Freya’s Clay Club
Run out of father and daughter Chris and Freya Bramble’s North-West London studio, Freya’s Clay Club helps people of all abilities on their pottery journeys. Freya runs relaxed open studios for beginners and improvers who have a little confidence in handling and using clay, while Chris works with improvers and full-time potters, using his 30-plus years of experience to help with specific makes and firing. Demand is high for classes at this outstanding studio, so you may want to join their list and wait for a spot.
Ceramics Studio Co-op
Located in Deptford, Ceramics Studio Co-op is a ceramics studio and pottery workshop catering to every pottery need. Classes range from intensive summer courses on Thursday and Friday mornings that run weekly throughout the summer to Tuesday classes during the summer term and specialist classes, including throwing on the potter’s wheel and glazing. Open-access sessions are great if you’re ever in the area and fancy getting some clay in your hands on a whim.
Studio Pottery London
Located in the heart of London’s affluent Belgravia, Studio Pottery is a light, bright, and airy workshop with 12 wheels visible from the street through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. They provide several classes aimed at all types of potter, from taster sessions to foundation classes, ongoing classes to hand-building classes, and even tile workshops. Private lessons are also available for students seeking a little more specialized support. If you choose Studio Pottery, you can pay to become a member, opening up wheel space outside of classes and a range of discounts and special offers, including storage space and equipment.
Claytime Pottery Place
Located in Highbury, Claytime provides child-friendly sessions, allowing kids to create their pottery creations before decorating them and letting them come back once the designs have been glazed and fired. For adults, the full range of courses is available, from one-day courses in throwing and sculpture to an introduction to Pottery Techniques taster session. The focus of Claytime’s courses is primarily, but not entirely, focused on throwing, and a few specialist and child-friendly classes are also available
Practical Tips for Finding the Best Pottery Classes in London
When looking for pottery classes in London, it is important to keep a few practical tips in mind to make the most of your experience. Here are some suggestions:
- Check if the studio provides an onboarding checklist before your course begins. Most studios will provide you with all the materials you need, but some may require you to bring your own tools or other supplies.
- Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Even with aprons and overalls, pottery can be messy, so it’s best to leave your nice clothes at home and opt for comfortable, older clothing.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek guidance from your instructor. Pottery can be a challenging craft, but with the right guidance, you can create beautiful pieces and develop your skills.
By following these practical tips, you can find the best pottery classes in London and make the most of your experience.