Find your nearest pottery painting cafe for a creative afternoon
Looking for something crafty to do? Next time you’re meeting up with a friend, instead of going for coffee, why not pop into your local pottery painting café?
A creative catch-up is a fun way to spend time together while having a chance to relax and make a handmade craft you can keep. Plus, a chance to try out your skills if you've been inspired by the Great Pottery Throw Down! Pottery painting classes take place at cafés and studios all over the country and are a popular activity for birthdays, hen parties and even work away days, but they can also be enjoyed on a smaller scale with just one or two friends. There are also children-friendly cafes, perfect for a birthday party for your little one.
If you haven’t got time to attend a regular class or craft course then a session of pottery painting is a perfect way to get your creative fix. Whatever your experience with art, everyone can try pottery painting, even if you’re a beginner with no painting experience, you’ll still leave with a hand-painted masterpiece.
What is pottery painting?
At a pottery painting session you start by choosing a plain ceramic object (known as bisque) to paint with your own designs using special glaze paints. When you’re finished you leave it behind so the café can fire it in a kiln and then you go back and collect it. Your item can then be used and washed as normal.
There are typically two costs involved in pottery painting, firstly a flat rate fee for the session – usually just a few pounds, followed by the cost of the ceramic that you choose to paint. Ceramics vary in price according to their size and could include ornaments, mugs and plates. If you’re not sure how to get started with your design there are pottery painting assistants to help and they’ll also demonstrate techniques to inspire you.
If you’re wondering 'is there a pottery painting café near me?', we’ve got you covered! There are now more pottery cafés than ever up and down the country, so you won’t be far from one. Check out our recommendations for some of our favourite pottery painting cafés around the UK.
Happy painting!
Best pottery painting cafes around the UK
London
Fulham – Pottery Café
This West London pottery cafe was originally launched by ceramic designer Emma Bridgewater and was located close to her own pottery studio. It’s now a popular spot for pottery painting parties for up to 18 participants. You can enjoy freshly roasted coffee and cookies while you paint.
www.pottery-café.com
Streatham – Funky Potters
Funky Potters specialise in pottery painting parties, and one of their most popular sessions is painting plates with baby footprints to make a personalised gift. Or if you’re just popping in for a crafternoon, you can choose one of their many ceramic designs.
www.funkypotters.com
South Woodford – Creative Biscuit
This friendly pottery painting café welcomes keen crafters seven days a week to pop in and paint whenever takes your fancy. Once a month there’s a Late Night Painting Club when the café is open 6pm-10pm and you can even BYOB.
www.creativebiscuit.co.uk
South East
Kent – This Art of Mine
Located in a beautiful part of the Kent countryside, this is a pottery painting studio that feels like a retreat. The space is open at set times during the week and every school holiday so that you can keep the kids entertained and busy.
www.thisartofmine.co.uk
Hayward’s Heath – Fun Pots
A pottery studio that’s great for children and adults, the team here encourage you to enjoy some creative mindful time where you can slow down, and enjoy the process of painting at your leisure.
www.funpots.co.uk
Cambridge – Crafty Monkey
Whether you want to paint a personalised gift or update your kitchen crockery there’s lots of items to paint at this creative space which offers pottery painting, build a bear and other craft workshops. The children will love the options for what to paint which includes mermaids, fairies and dinosaurs.
www.craftymonkeypotterypainting.com
South West
Bristol – Flying Saucers
There are three branches of Flying Saucers pottery painting cafés – Hebden Bridge, Warminster and Bristol. You’ll find the Bristol branch in the popular Clifton Triangle area of the city. Whatever you fancy painting, whether it’s a money box or a clock you’ll find it in their impressive collection of ready-to-paint bisque pieces.
www.flyingsaucers.co.uk
Bath – Crockadoodledoo
You’re guaranteed a fun, relaxing and creative experience in this charming pottery studio. They encourage ‘lone painters’ as much as coming with friends, so if you have a day off and are looking for a ‘me time’ activity why not pop by for some pottery painting?
www.crockadoodledo.co.uk
Falmouth – Star Glazers
Add pizazz to your pottery painting! Star Glazers have a range of glitter paints and glazes to make your ceramic designs sparkle. You’ll find this shop and café on the high street of this popular seaside town and it’s a fantastic activity if you’re in Cornwall on a staycation.
www.starglazerscafe.co.uk
East of England
Nottingham – Pot n Kettle
There are some fantastic special offers at this pottery painting studio, including a gift for groups. If 10 of you book to paint your own project, you’ll also receive a free gift that you can paint together as a memento of your day.
www.pot-n-kettle.com
Northern England
Manchester – Create It!
An all-round fun and colourful craft café, pottery painting is one of the activities you can do here. There’s also decoupage and canvas painting. If you fancy having a creative get together at home they also sell kits that you can take home and paint and then bring back to get fired.
www.createitcheadle.co.uk
Cheshire – Minikin Paint Pot
A family-friendly art café this is a wonderful place to spend some quality time in a calm environment painting pottery and also trying your hand at clay work. You can also tuck into freshly-made waffles while you get crafty.
www.minikinartcafe.com
Wakefield – Crafty Owls Pottery
Get arty at your own crafty party! Crafty Owl Pottery is a fun place to host a pottery painting celebration for the kids and for adults. They also host weekly workshops so if you fancy a more sociable environment to get creative in, sign up, have fun and make new friends. www.craftyowlspottery.com
Liverpool – Frankie's Paint it Pottery
Making pottery painting accessible for everyone, Frankie’s was set up by art enthusiast Frances after she moved back to Liverpool to look after her mum. She’s now opened a space that is perfect for a crafty get away whenever you need moment to yourself.
www.frankiespaintitpottery.co.uk
Midlands
Walsall – Potsy Pamsy
You can pop in and paint seven days a week at this creative studio, or pick up a paint at home kit. You’ll receive all the supplies you need to paint your own ceramic and then you can bring it back in to get it fired.
www.potsypamsy.co.uk
Sutton Coldfield – Cafe Ceramica
The staff here are all pottery painting enthusiasts and love helping you with your designs. If you’re not feeling confident about how to get started, they’ll show you the ropes and provide painting guidance throughout your session.
www.cafeceramica.com
Bewdley - The Melting Pot
The Melting Pot has a constant stock rotation of over 150 bisques ready to pick from so you'll always have something new to try! They also hold special late night opening evening events that are the perfect excuse for a crafting gal pals night out.
www.themeltingpotbewdley.co.uk
Wales
Cardiff – Peggy's Pots
This is Cardiff's only pottery painting cafe – and definitely worth a visit! As well as catering for small and large groups, they also run clay events, for you to have a go creating a piece on the potter's wheel.
Conwy – Tan y Ddraig
This gorgeous pottery painting cafe is just a stone's thrown from Conway Castle. Sit inside or in the courtyard to paint, and enjoy a slice of cake and a hot drink while you work, to keep your creative juices flowing!
Scotland
Glasgow – Spin Pottery
Tucked away in the hippest part of the city, you’ll find this cute pottery painting studio in the colourful ‘Hidden Lane’ in Finnieston which is surrounded by creative independent shops. There are two floors, one for casual drop-in painting and the other for private parties.
www.spinpotteryglasgow.com
Edinburgh – Doodles Scotland
Unleash your creativity and try your hand at ceramic painting at this beautiful studio that’s popular with tourists and locals alike. There are hundreds of bisque items to choose from, ready to embellish. Whether you want to dab, splash, flick, sponge paint or draw on your designs, this is a welcoming place to try ideas.
www.doodlesscotland.co.uk
Northern Ireland
Ballynahinch – Colours
A fun, colourful and relaxing painting studio, Colours is a fun place to spend a couple of hours getting creative. The team also offer a mobile pottery painting service and will bring the supplies to you, whether you fancy having a crafternoon at home, or at a venue of your choice.
www.colourspotteryni.com
Millisle – Eden Pottery
A pottery paradise in a picturesque location, this café specialises in pottery painting using a sponge printing technique making it easy to get a professional looking design without worrying about drawing. From bird prints to flowers, there are ideas for everyone.
www.edenpotteryshop.co.uk
Fancy making your own pottery to paint? Check our our recommendations for the best pottery workshops in London.
Have you got the pottery bug? Why not try one of Prima's beautiful clay craft kits, available exclusively at The Works!
Happy crafting!
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