While The Great British Pottery Throwdown has more people wanting to get their hands dirty, crafty activities have always been a fantastic social pastime with friends; there’s nothing more satisfying than simply decorating a great piece of pottery. Perhaps you’ve glazed over one of these lofty dens for a birthday in the past or are looking for something wholesome to do this weekend instead of hitting up colourful city bars. Either way, we’re here to point you to the best pottery painting London has to offer.
M.Y.O (Make Your Own)
If pottering painting in Central London is on your to-do list this year, then hit up M.Y.O (Make Your Own) in Borough. Set up by Diana and Sam in 2017, it aims to help individuals explore their creative side by providing the materials and space to get stuck into illustration, watercolours, life drawing and, most importantly, painting ceramics. They even encourage you to BYOB, so check their events calendar, grab some wine or beer and head on over.
It's all art and acronyms at this Bermondsey joint.
Pottery Café
Pottery Café London has been around for over 25 years, inviting people through its doors to put brushes on pots, plates and mugs. At the Fulham outspot it features a toyshop in the front, a party room downstairs and a separate space for up to 50 keen creatives. And at the Battersea branch? You’ll find a more contemporary setting with a selection of Emma Bridgewater pottery serving coffees and sweet treats. A studio fee of £7.95 is charged per painter, then the rest is down to what item you select to be your masterpiece.
Have a cuppa alongside your crafts.
Social Pottery
If you're on the hunt for pottery painting in North London, Kentish Town's Social Pottery is the spot for you. Here you can escape to a tranquil oasis where stress simply melts away as soon as you start making tiny brushstrokes on a brand-new bowl. There are a range of sessions to choose from, such as daytime experiences and late-night boozy painting events. All materials are provided and the team are on hand to provide guidance. Just make a £5 deposit (or £30 if you're booking as a group) and you're away.
Pottery painting in London for adults? We've got you.
Bonbon Pottery
Tucked away by Pontoon Dock, Bonbon Pottery is a contemporary studio hosting everything from DIY sessions to taster classes, and even wheel throwing should you fancy going the extra mile and starting from scratch. All painting classes last an hour and a half with over 100 ceramics to choose from, including vases and picture frames. After you've finished creating, it'll be glazed, fired and ready to collect within four weeks. You only need to pay for the price of your smart centrepiece and, with the most affordable option starting from £13.90, it's an absolute bargain.
The pottery here is bon bon.
The Find Store
What started as a lifestyle and interior gift shop in Lee, South East London, is now a pottery studio offering gorgeous, sustainably made products and 90-minute painting sessions. The modern, leafy venue is incredibly picturesque, boasting surrounds of bare brick walls and glowing signage to enjoy while you're letting your inner artist take over. A £6 studio fee at The Find Store covers glazing and the firepit, and you're allowed to decorate as many items as you like. Sign us up.
A botanical beauty: The Find Store knows a thing or two about interiors.
Sammy Duder
A bright and airy setting tucked away in Battersea, Sammy Dudder is a family-run pottery studio. As well as accepting commissions if you're looking for a bespoke gift for somebody, it runs painting sessions with prices starting from just £9 for an egg cup. Want to decorate your own serving platter? You totally can here. A talented team will be on hand to provide inspiration for your designs which will be glazed and available to pick up 10 days later for an additional £6.
Bring your pooch to pottery time at this dog-friendly spot.
Clay Time
Brushes at the ready because it's Clay Time (quite literally) at this Highbury-based pottery hotspot. Here you can learn how to make your own pottery from wet clay or paint one of its pre-made ceramic pieces. Each item is individually priced with no studio costs; go for either a small cereal bowl (£28) to fill with your Weetabix in the morning or enhance an animal figurine to give as a gift. There's plenty to choose from here and, if you're strapped for ideas, check out their socials for inspiration.
You'll lose the pot at Clay Time.
The Ceramics Café
Located across West Ealing and Kew, The Ceramics Café is a modern studio space that can accommodate up to 20 painters. Conjure up something that is bespoke here, starting with a plain bisque and transforming it into a staple piece of cutlery or vase for flowers that you can collect within two to four days. And if you fancy painting at home? Go ahead. Just select your ceramics and watch as your paints are prepared ready for you to take away.
With outposts across West London, there's bound to be a Ceramics Café near you.
Art 4 Fun
We all like doing a bit of Art 4 Fun, right? This cafe liked it so much that it named itself after the hobby, and has been inviting keen Londoners to its North West haunt to select from over 500 different ceramic items to adorn with whatever they desire (starting from £18.50 each). During the summer, punters can take to the outside benches to get crafty alfresco. So, grab your friends or maybe even take your partner for a date that's a little bit different and make each other a trinket.
Create a brand new breakfast bowl or hot chocolate mug.
Colour And Clay
Colour And Clay can be found in the heart of North Kensington offering a vibrant space to lose yourself in the world of ceramics and pottery. It's managed by Vinicius Les and B. Eliz Varga - both passionate artists who offer a selection of classes, from beginners' potters wheel evenings to painting sessions enabling you to decorate your clay pieces. They start from £45 each and there's something for everyone no matter your level of experience.
Don't mind us, just pottering about at Colour and Clay.
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