There’s nothing nicer than a weekend spent pottering about.
And if that involves some actual pottery, then so much the better.
Clapham Pottery teaches upwards of 200 students a week how to make their mark in clay, from total beginners to old hands. Classes are led by the artists at nearby North Street Potters; an emporium of eclectic hand-made ceramics, from plates and teapots to sake cups and sugar bowls. They’ve supplied bespoke crockery to Le Gavroche, Perilla and The Ned (you can even commission your own dinner set if you’re feeling flush), so you know you’re in good hands.
Their studio on Rectory Road is set in an old chapel, with wood panelling and elaborate carvings surrounding the clay-spattered workbenches and throwing wheels. If you’re planning on going religiously, you’ll want to sign up to their ten-week courses, taught on weekday evenings. The beginners’ course walks you through the basic techniques, from thumb pots to throwing; while the advanced sessions will guide you towards making anything your heart desires (in ceramic form).
But if you just want to throw yourself into it, they also offer private pottery parties, or three-hour Sunday workshops, where you can get to grips with the basics of using the wheel and work on developing your signature style:
Wonky at the edges, and tipping slightly.
NOTE: Taster sessions at Clapham Pottery cost £75pp, while the 10-week courses cost £165pp. To find out more, and sign up, head HERE.
Clapham Pottery | 4a Rectory Road, London SW4 0DZ
Not a Clapham local? See our pick of all the best pottery classes in London