Looking to flex your creative muscles in the capital? These pottery classes in London will help you do just that.
If you’re of a particular vintage, the idea of pottery will no doubt make you think of that scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in Ghost.
More recently, pottery has become super cool, with shows like The Great British Pottery Throw Down bringing this unique craft to the wider public consciousness and mainstream, making it a much-desired pursuit among Londoners.
There are dozens of locations dotted around London where you can take lessons and begin to create something lasting to take home and show off your skills. Here’s our guide to the best.
Best Pottery Classes in London
Social Pottery
Kentish Town
If you want to slap some clay onto the wheel and be left well alone to make your own cups, saucers or bowls, then we’ll be honest: this isn’t the place for you.
However, Social Pottery in Kentish Town takes a slightly left-field approach to its property classes by focusing heavily on the social side of pottery. They hold a pottery-making taster class at £40 per head, but the main courses are pottery painting sessions.
They offer half a dozen experiences, including pottery painting for children, one to remember for a rainy day. Others include late-night pottery painting, daytime pottery painting, and, we’ll be honest, our favorites – boozy pottery painting and late-night boozy pottery painting.
Sessions include music, lights and refreshments – what more could you ask for?
Crown Works Pottery
Crown Works Pottery is a studio tucked away in a charming Victorian mews near Bethnal Green run by potter Giulietta Hextall.
Classes come in all shapes and sizes, including taster sessions, beginner and intermediate courses, and one-off specialist masterclasses, with each class led by a full-time professional potter. All classes are kept to a maximum of ten people per session to give students sufficient focus and help them learn in a friendly, intimate atmosphere.
The studio is a charming, light and airy space, providing the perfect environment for budding potters of all skills to learn.
The Kiln Room
The Kiln Rooms in Peckham is one of South London’s premier pottery studios that offers many opportunities for people wanting to get their hands on some clay and begin their pottery journeys.
From one-off taster sessions to give you an idea of what to expect when behind the wheel to 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 truly welcoming experience in South East London.
Turning Earth
Hoxton, Leyton, Tottenham & Highgate
Turning Earth has four studios across North and East London for potters of all abilities and expertise to find a supportive, fun environment to work in.
Alongside the classes offered by Turning Earth, they provide open-access membership that they describe as “like a gym membership for potters.” Rather less heavy lifting, we hope!
Classes are available at each of the four studios, meaning it should be relatively easy to find one within easy reach of you. From week-long intensive courses to classes at the same time each week, expect the usual mix of beginners and intermediates options, alongside studies in a range of specialist disciplines such as wheel throwing.
Skandihus
De Beauvoir, Hackney & Walthamstow
Skandihus was founded in 2013 by Danish corporate lawyer Stine Dulong to enable her to pursue her life passion of becoming a full-time potter. When she isn’t passing on her expertise to willing learners, Stine supplies tableware to some big names in the world of cooking, including Nigella Lawson and Tom Kerridge.
Classes are held at each of the three studios and come in various sizes to fit any interest and ability level.
Capable potters may benefit from a 3-hour drop-in session. At the same time, those of lesser abilities can take advantage of specially-tailored 6, 8 and 12-week courses designed for complete beginners and those with some experience.
Jess Jos
Stepney City Farm
We love the location of the Jess Jos studio, set in the heart of Stepney City Farm, one of London’s brilliant city farmyards. Owned by Jess Joslin, creator of her own ceramics at her studio in East London, she specialises in teaching classes for everyone from novices to master classes.
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
West Hampstead
Freya’s Clay Club is run out of father and daughter Chris and Freya Bramble in their North-West London studio, helping people of all studios and abilities to help them on their pottery journeys.
Freya runs relaxed open studios for beginners and improvers who have a little confidence in handling and using clay, allowing students space to create but being on hand to offer 1-on-1 support when needed. Meanwhile, 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
Ceramics Studio Co-op is a ceramics studio and pottery workshop part of the burgeoning arts scene in this South-East London neighbourhood. Ceramics Studio caters to every pottery need, from open-access sessions and firing services to classes.
Classes range from intensive summer courses on Thursday and Friday mornings that run weekly throughout the summer, 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. You’d be welcomed with open arms.
Studio Pottery London
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.
Studio Pottery provides 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 specialised support.
If you choose Studio Pottery, you can pay to become a member. Not only does this open up wheel space outside of classes, but a range of discounts and special offers, including storage space and equipment. All of which puts the slightly more expensive price tag into context.
Claytime Pottery Place
Highbury
You’ll notice Claytime sounds somewhat like “playtime,” and you’d be right, with Claytime in Highbury providing child-friendly sessions, allowing kids to create their own 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, 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.
Stuff and Fings
Peckham
Stuff and Fings is situated in Peckham Levels and opened relatively recently in 2019. It has quickly become one of the best studios in South East London for people of all abilities to get their hands dirty with ceramics.
Their specialised workshops help potters to build on their existing skills while hand-building and under-glazing sessions are also available for more experienced creatives.
Taster sessions are excellently pitched for newbies, while their drop-in sessions are perfect for anyone wanting to make their creative vision a reality.
Columbia Road Clay
Bethnal Green
The Columbia Road Flower Market is one of East London’s gems, and nearby Columbia Road Clay could become equally renowned for its clean, bright, and airy studio space in the heart of Bethnal Green.
Classes include weekend tasters with all tools and materials supplied. Once you’ve decided to pursue pottery more seriously, multi-week throwing courses come in four and eight-week packages.
The studio also offers one-off classes and workshops teaching specialised techniques for those looking for anything specific.
Practical Tips for Exploring the Best Pottery Classes in London
Most studios will provide you with an onboarding checklist before your course begins. Some may require you to provide some materials, but most will provide everything you need, from clay to tools.
Although clay does come out fairly quickly in the wash, and you’ll be covered in aprons and overalls, we do suggest that you wear clothes that you don’t mind getting mucky. Leave your Sunday best at home and wear the older jeans and t-shirt combo.
