London’s Cutest Pottery Painting Studios & Classes
By
2 days ago
Time to embrace your inner Picasso, ceramic style
Pottery painting is having a resurgence in the capital. Creative sessions sat down with paints and plates can become the perfect moment to slow down, practice mindfulness and enjoy the meditative sensation of creating something tactile. On the other end of the scale, a pottery painting workshop doubles as a fabulous location for celebrations – hen (pottery) party, anyone? – and can be even more thrilling when enjoyed with a tipple. Whether you want to sit back and relax or get all fired up, we’ve pulled together the best pottery painting studios and classes in London to book now.
Pottery Painting In London: A Guide
West London
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Pitter Potter, Putney
Whether you’re a child or grownup (or simply young at heart), Pitter Potter aims to nurture all kinds of creativity at its studio. Interiors have been set up to feel calming – although you’ll find plenty of inspiration in previous visitors’ ceramic creations – making it an excellent space to escape your phone for a few hours. Pottery up for painting range from smaller items like egg cups to large, showstopping vases. New parent? Pitter Potter offers sessions that preserve a baby’s foot or handprints for a lifelong memento.
Where: 234 Upper Richmond Road, Putney SW15 6TG
BOOK: pitterpotter.co.uk
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Pottery Café, Fulham
After more than 25 years of inviting west Londoners to explore their creative side, Pottery Café has solidified its reputation as a destination for ceramic painting. It’s a fantastic option for kids – although grownups can get equally stuck in. You might also recognise some of the kitchenware in its repertoire; Emma Bridgewater’s instantly recognisable mugs are exclusively available to paint in the studio.
Where: 735 Fulham Road, London SW6 5UL (with more outposts across the city)
BOOK: pottery-cafe.com
South London
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Bonbon Pottery, Battersea Power Station
Bonbon Pottery is the ultimate girls’ date location. With its peach-coloured walls, adorable matching aprons and in-house coffee bar (perfect for a mid-session latte), Bonbon has all the amenities needed for a fun day out. And the creativity isn’t limited to the paints you choose: the studio offers plenty of unique pottery options, like prickly cacti vases and elephant mugs featuring trunks as handles. There’s a ceramic for everyone.
Where: 16 Electric Boulevard, London, SW1 1 8BJ (with more outposts across the city)
BOOK: bonbonpottery.co.uk
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Social Pottery, Balham
Who said this was a strictly daytime activity? What makes Social Pottery special is its boozy late-night sip and paint experiences, where visitors can bring their own beverages to encourage creative artistry. For a birthday party that fills you with childlike delight whilst also encouraging adult vices, this is the perfect place.
Where: 7 Station Parade, Balham High Road, London SW12 9AZ (with more outposts across the city)
BOOK: socialpottery.com
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Pottery Studio LDN, Greenwich
Alongside running classes, Pottery Studio LDN also sells beautiful, handcrafted ceramics from its south East London location. Situated in the hub of Greenwich’s Design District, Pottery Studio LDN is part of a rich creative community, and this translates into its products. Surrounded by cosy fairy lights and terracotta tiles, the studio is wonderful place to get lost in thought while painting a new butter dish.
Where: Ground Floor and 1.3, Building A4, 10 Monro Way, London SE10 0EJ
BOOK: pottery-studio.co.uk
North London
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Clay Time, Highgate
Clay Time has an impressive selection of ready-made pieces, ready to be painted – from plates and fruit bowls to children’s figurines. And if you’re stuck for choice, fear not; staff are on hand to help with any creative suggestions or practical advice, making it a great option for beginners. Both of its Highgate and Islington locations also give budding potters a chance to attempt wheel throwing and hand building – how about a Ghost themed date night?
Where: Highgate Newtown Community Partners, 25 Bertram Street, London N19 5DQ (with more outposts across the city)
BOOK: claytime.london
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Cernamic, Stoke Newington
This community-led studio runs weekly classes for those looking to improve their ceramic-making skills – but for casual pottery fans, it also offers drop-in taster classes and BYOB sessions on a Friday night. If you’d like to try something a little different, you can also try their Raku (a Japanese pottery firing technique) and Kintsugi (the art of repairing broken pottery with a gold lacquer to add value) workshops. And if you still can’t get enough, Cernamic even has a specialist three-week course where you can make your own matcha tea set.
Where: 36a Windus Road, London N16 6UP
BOOK: cernamic.com
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Art4Fun, Hampstead
Art4Fun first opened in West Hampstead in 1998 and has remained a stronghold of the community ever since. The founders firmly believe that creativity is at the heart of relationships – they even had their first date at a ceramic painting café in California 30 years ago. Art4Fun offers more than 500 ceramic items to paint, and states on its website that ‘no artistic skill is required’. The clue is in the name – an afternoon here is a bundle of fun.
Where: 172 West End Lane, London NW6 1SD
BOOK: art4fun.com
East London
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Carb Club Ceramics, Hackney
The ‘TikTok made me do it’ pick. With its colourful decor, playful workshops (Taylor Swift pottery painting, anyone?) and friendly atmosphere, Carb Club has quickly become a hot pick for London’s Gen Z and Millennial set. What’s more, dogs are welcome, matcha is served and cake is in abundance – dreamy. The adorable pink aprons to are given to wear whilst painting, and neon lights in a similar shade that decorate the interiors are a massive bonus too.
Where: Unit 11 Smokehaus, 2–16 Bayford Street, London E8 3SE
BOOK: carbclub.co
