Pottery Courses London

At Urban Potters Classes, we believe in the transformative power of creativity and are dedicated to offering exceptional pottery courses in London. Whether you are a complete beginner looking to explore the art of pottery or an experienced potter aiming to refine your skills, our studio provides a welcoming and inspiring environment. Join us to experience the art of pottery in the heart of South London, where you can unleash your creativity, relax, and create something beautiful.

Our Pottery Courses

At Urban Potters Classes, we offer two main course durations tailored to fit your schedule and learning objectives: 6-week and 11-week courses. Whether you want to immerse yourself in pottery fully or prefer a quicker introduction to the basics, our flexible options ensure a perfect fit for everyone.

The 6-week courses offer a quick and focused introduction to pottery, ideal for beginners or those with limited time. These courses cover the essentials of pottery making, including hand-building, wheel throwing, and glazing, enabling you to create several pieces of work and gain a solid foundation in the craft in a condensed timeframe.

6 Week Course

The 6-week throwing course is perfect for those wanting to develop their skills on the potter’s wheel and caters to both beginners and those with more experience. This pottery course covers the essentials of wheel throwing and looks at developing your technique on the wheel and mastering different shapes. Throughout the course you will also be taught surface decoration and how to glaze.

6 Week Throwing Course

Our 11-week courses are comprehensive and designed for those who wish to explore pottery thoroughly. You will receive extensive instruction on various basic to advanced techniques and engage in hands-on projects. This longer course allows you to deepen your understanding of pottery, refine your skills, and immerse yourself in the creative process.

11 Week Course

What Are Pottery Courses?

Pottery courses allow individuals to learn and practice the art of pottery in a structured environment. These courses typically cover techniques such as hand-building, throwing on the wheel, glazing, and firing. At Urban Potters Classes, we tailor our courses to cater to all levels, ensuring that whether you're beginning your pottery journey or looking to deepen your existing skills, there's a course ideally suited for you.

What Our Pottery Courses Include

Discover the diverse pottery-making techniques that can transform simple clay into stunning works of art. Each method offers unique possibilities and requires specific skills, making pottery a rich and varied craft. Both of our courses include:

  • This technique involves shaping clay using pinching, coiling, and slabbing, allowing for creative, hands-on construction of artistic and functional pieces.

  • Wheel throwing is a fascinating process in which clay is shaped into symmetrical forms on a rotating wheel. It is ideal for making uniform items such as bowls and vases.

  • Also known as trimming, this technique refines the shape of wheel-thrown pottery by removing excess clay to create smooth surfaces and even walls.

  • Enhance your pottery with surface decorations like slips, carvings, and textures, followed by glazing, which adds colour and functionality through various finishes.

  • Learn to prepare clay by wedging to achieve a consistent texture and reclaim scraps to reduce waste, ensuring a sustainable pottery practice.

  • Understand the key differences: earthenware is fired at lower temperatures, resulting in a porous material, while stoneware reaches higher temperatures for a denser, waterproof finish.

Our Pottery Course Team

Urban Potters Classes is proud to have a diverse and talented team of professional potters based in London. Our instructors bring a wealth of experience and unique skills to each session. From traditional techniques to innovative methods, our team is dedicated to providing a rich and rewarding learning experience. Join us to learn from the best and discover the joys of pottery.

Why Choose Us For Pottery Courses?

  • Our team of skilled artists brings knowledge and enthusiasm to each class, ensuring a rich learning experience.

  • Join a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for pottery. Collaborate, get inspired, and see your ideas take shape!

  • Our studio is equipped with high-quality pottery wheels, kilns, and a wide array of tools, allowing for a professional and enjoyable pottery experience.

  • We believe in personalised instruction, where courses are tailored to fit each student's individual needs and skill levels.

South London Pottery Classes

Our pottery studio is based in South London and accessible from all areas. We are located just down from Camberwell Green on the ground floor of a new residential development. There is a bus stop at the entrance to our courtyard with connections to London Bridge, Elephant & Castle, Brixton, Clapham, and beyond.

Our address is Unit A Pearl Building, 4 Scena Way, London, SE5 0BH.

Our Student’s Kind Words:

“Absolutely wonderful place to learn pottery. Great space with natural light, lots of wheels and space for hand building. Super friendly tutors who have lots of patience and a love and passion for teaching pottery. I would 100% recommend Urban Potters Classes.”

— Lee Mathias

“I absolutely loved the 6-week course at Urban Potters. Huge shoutout to Esme, Ben, and Adrian who all went the extra mile to help us turn our Pinterest boards full of inspo images into an actual reality. The studio itself is great — bright and with lots of space to work but also surprisingly cosy. I highly recommend the course!”

— Rebecca S

“The 11 week course has been fantastic and certainly a highlight I look forward to every week - learning and experimenting with Grace, Tabitha & Esme.”

— M Hall

Get in touch

Frequently asked questions

  • For your first class, we provide all essential materials, including clay, tools, and equipment. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting a little dirty and bringing an apron to protect your clothing. If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to bring something to tie it back.

  • Our pottery courses are designed to fit different schedules and learning preferences. The 6-week courses are compact and intensive, ideal for those looking for a quick introduction. The 11-week courses offer a deeper dive into pottery techniques and give you more time to refine your skills and complete various projects.

  • Yes, all the pieces you create during the course are yours to keep. After you complete the course, your pieces will be fired and ready for you to collect. This usually takes a few weeks, allowing time for your items to be fired.

  • Our courses are currently for adults only, so 18 years old and above.

  • Absolutely! Our beginner courses are specifically designed for individuals who have yet to gain experience in pottery. These courses cover the basics and gradually build up to more complex techniques, ensuring a supportive learning curve.