Want to give the pottery wheel a whirl? Give hand building a go? Build your confidence working with clay? Fishponds Pottery's Crafty Pottery workshop ticks all the boxes.
This isn’t a pottery experience you’ll want to miss...
Fishponds Pottery offers a relaxed and supportive approach to pottery. Choose to make whatever you fancy in their workshops. Suitable for complete beginners, their tutors will guide you through your handbuilding project and show you the basics of wheel throwing. Get involved, make friends with other crafters, and get inspired in return!
What to expect:
What you need to know:
Age restrictions: 18+
Adult | £45 |
We had a great time! Looking forward to coming back soon!
Very nice and helpful hosts. Suitable for all skill levels. Would definitely recommend!
I bought this experience as part of my wife's 40th birthday present.
I admire art, but have neve...
Lovely way to spend a Friday evening, great experience and the opportunity to try something new :)
We had a great time! Looking forward to coming back soon!
Very nice and helpful hosts. Suitable for all skill levels. Would definitely recommend!
I bought this experience as part of my wife's 40th birthday present.
I admire art, but have never tried anything like this before, so was a little bit nervous when my wife asked me to join her, but what fun it was.
The atmosphere was relaxed and engaging, putting everyone at ease. The ladies that ran the evening provided the ideal balance - they'd help, but pushed you enough so it was your own work. My wife made a couple of bowls and a milk jug and I made two mugs. We had a great time.
Lovely way to spend a Friday evening, great experience and the opportunity to try something new :)
Me and my girlfriend had a fab time! Great experience into this beautiful craft!
We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Very creative and therapeutic. We would highly recommend.
Can’t wait to come back!!
What a great evening. So enjoyable, to do whatever you wanted, but with guidance. Excited to watch the end product when all the firing etc is complete. I would like to do more. Thank you.
A fun, interesting and creative night. Great hosts, well structured evening.
Caitlin and Holly were excellent hosts! We’d love to come back to do more- excited to see how our pieces turn out.
Looking forward to getting the fired pots
As above
A wonderful way to spend an evening - relaxing and grounding, but also I learnt loads. I can't wait to collect my pots!
What a fab experience- I even came away with objects I made that I’m proud of! Totally recommend this to all ages. Great introduction to pottery from experienced talented people who know how to pass on their knowledge. Thank you
Fantastic evening being creative and both hosts were so helpful and patient - such a wonderful and different date night idea!
Such a fun informative evening really enjoyed the whole experience
We had a great time, it was really fun to experience using a pottery wheel. Thank you to our instructors!
Lovely teachers in a lovely venue, will deffo come again when I don’t have my long nails! Although still managed to make some bits I am keeping. Very relaxing too.
Really good fun and a great way to have a go at throwing and making a slab pot. Highly recommended
Excellent experience, perfect hosts, well run and fun introduction really enjoyed my time as did the guest I went with.
Would absolutely recommend
Facilitators could not have been more welcoming, friendly or informative. The whole experience completely surpassed my highest expectations. I hope they all realise what joy they’re bringing to people with these workshops!
Can’t wait to find a way to do more!!! 💕
If you’re considering booking don’t hesitate, best thing I could have done to uplift my being
The team were infinitely patient, very encouraging and supportive to me and my friend - both apprehensive beginners. Heartily recommend3d. Thank you all
First time making pottery and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great instructions and very friendly, helpful and skilful staff who made it fun. Loved the studio which is in a great location. The evening went so fast. Would recommend to others. Great value too. Thank you
Good workshop, great for beginners as get a tutorial at the beginning and help all the way through. Had an opportunity to hand build a mug and use the wheel. Very friendly instructors.
Fantastic evening. Would love to return. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I had a fantastic time at this workshop, the instructors was brilliant and gave great guidance. It was something I’d both recommend and do again! Fantastic evening, 5/5 :)
Had such a good time, loved every minute.
Loved it! Thank you for having us
Had an absolutely fabulous time and would recommend it to anyone. The staff were very informative, helpful and patient. I'm so pleased with my results and can't wait to see them glazed.
I was given this workshop as a present from my son. I had to cancel the first booking as I broke my wrist, Finola was really kind & helped me rearrange. The evening was ridiculously good fun, lovely company, & very relaxed. The teachers were really good, demonstrations were clear & explained carefully. We did clay moulding & then used the wheel to make pots. Finola was endlessly patient & I was delighted with the results. I’d highly recommend the course & am thinking of doing another one!
Really fun experience lovely teachers - patient and really easy to follow! Can't wait to come back
We were able to each get a go at both throwing and hand building with clay, the hosts were really friendly and available for advice, it was a welcoming atmosphere and all abilities were welcomed. Would 100% recommend and visit again.
Amazing evening
We arrived early yet the hosts were waiting with a smile despite our many questions whilst they were setting up for the session.
Thr demonstrations were conducted in a clear and concise way, which made it easy to understand.
Whilst pottering, the hosts were on hand to offer advice and help where nothing seemed like a problem.
A truly remarkable and enjoyable experience with amazing hosts.
Highly recommended
Great workshop - very clear instruction on using the wheel, which meant I actually produced a bowl! Would recommend
Had a great time!
I really enjoyed my session and making my teapot. I will definitely be coming again and bring a friend ! The girls were lovely and very helpful !
Excellent experience
Good activity
Had a great time last week trying out pottery for the first time. The team are so friendly and cater for all abilities. Never felt rushed and was encouraged to try new things, even if it meant making mistakes and learning from it. Would definitely do it again!
Both Polly and Fionnuala were great hosts, super knowledgable and engaging! They were amazing at helping guide us through the techniques - was a lovely first experience of pottery I would love to go back and attend another event!
We had a great evening, thanks!
A lovely evening spent at the pottery.
Brilliant evening and great fun.
Had a great time learning the basics of hand crafting and wheel throwing. The demos were excellent and the hosts were very knowledgeable and patient with us. A big thank you to Naomi for showing us how to wheel throw and Mollie for helping us hand craft. I’ll definitely be back for more at some point!
Really well organised and ran from start to finish. Amazing value for money. I liked how we got to try both the hand moulding and the wheel. Holly and Meredith were so friendly, patient and knowledgeable. Looking forward to picking up what we made.
A lot of freedom to make different things and explore different techniques
I loved it- never done pottery before and it was a great introduction. Really informative hosts but super relaxed and friendly. Great evening and you can decide what if anything you want to keep - then pay a small fee for glazing and firing. Can’t wait to pick up my pieces!
Had a great experience learning how to throw and hand-build. Would highly recommend!
The hosts were attentive and super helpful whatever level of your skills. Lots of fun for a different Friday night
It was great fun, me and my husband both really enjoyed it and we're really looking forward to getting the pieces back!
This was a really fun and relaxing class, Naomi and Finola were very welcoming and encouraging, with plenty of helpful ideas and tips. Can't wait to see the fired pots and would definitely recommend this experience to a friend (in fact, I already have!).
I was surprised in ways at attendance to this event. Not only was it much more laid back than I thought in what you were encouraged to make, but also in how many attempts you were encouraged to take at the more difficult aspects like the throwing. I genuinely went in believing that the session would be highly prescriptive with what would be made, with a strictly instructor led process, but I was very wrong. In addition there was no rushing, and refreshments offered freely.
3 hours ran out so fast when you are having fun. Very friendly hosts.
Great evening
Really friendly staff and a great space. Will definitely be back:)
A really lovely evening- the 2 & 1/2 hours in a group of 8 was the perfect amount of time. Finolla and Jasmine were great teachers, the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Lovely creative evening- I intend to do the pottery throwing course next :)
I had a fabulous experience with friendly and patient hosts.
Really enjoyed the session , Naomi was fab , really patient and excellent at explaining everything .
Great experience. Naomi was the perfect teacher.
Enjoyed every minute of it
A wonderful creative evening for my mum and I. It’s was fun to try throwing on the wheel - something completely new to both of us - and do something creative whilst spending time together. Our host were skilled, friendly and supportive. A great experience. Thanks.
We had a great time, it was great for beginners, the hosts were kind, approachable and knowledgeable. It was pitched really well and we'll-paced too.
I really enjoyed my recent class, the teaching was great, the atmosphere was welcoming and friendly and I was thrilled with what I got to make! Would definitely recommend to anyone new to pottery and keen to try a variety of skills!
Both of our teachers were great and gave very clear instructions lots of time to complete our pots very relaxed atmosphere no time pressures thoroughly enjoyable evening thanks so much Jaci and Molly
Really enjoyed our time with Lucy and Holly. They were great teachers and helped us all to make something fun. Looking forwardd to collecting the work in a few weeks and seeing how it's turned out!
Lovely staff and nice open workshop to let your creative juices flow!
Both my self and Sophie really enjoyed the evening. Fiola made me feel totally at ease. She was very caring as I have a few mobility issues.
Wonderful experience
Lovely hosts
Relaxed setting
Would be a good idea to look at some designs before turning up to give you an idea of what to make but absolutely loved it. Have already recommended to friends!
Hi, we had an amazing evening last night. The evening was so nice and we even amazed ourselves with our own masterpieces. Finola was a great teacher as was the rest of the team.
Thank you so much
Had a great night, bought for me as a gift for my 70th birthday, I enjoyed the creative experience.
Brilliant teaching, very patient. Great facilities, overall was excellent experience. Highly recommended
We had a great time, we were able to use the wheel and make something by hand, it was all explained to us and we were supported throughout, would definitely recommend!
Always wanted to try throwing and was as wonderful as hoped. Great instructions, relaxed and got to keep newly made products! Hooked and want to do more!
Really good experience and the hosts were really welcoming and a good introduction into pottery, would highly recommend.
This is a good session - I enjoyed having enough time to sit and work independently on my own builds and be able to ask for help and tips as I went as well as to have a go to learn the wheel. A good way to spend an evening
A fantastic evening of fun with excellent tuition
I really enjoy my first ever pottery class and am pleased with what I produced. Thanks 😊
Had a great time and pleased with what I made.
We all really enjoyed the workshop. The two facilitators were really good teachers: very clear and helpful. Great to do both hand building and time on the wheel. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thank you.
We had a lovely time trying our hand at pottery. We were completely new to it and our hosts were amazing. We will certainly be back again. :)
The workshop was so much fun! I was able to try out throwing on the wheel and also hand building. The hosts were incredibly helpful and gave great lessons on how to do different things. I'll definitely be back!
Was a bit sceptical initially but had no need. We felt really welcome and comfortable. Di loved the wheel, making a very nice bowl and I had fun creating a 'garlic roaster.' We both felt the mix of direction and support and time to work independently was well balanced which meant we were able to learn and look forward to more. We hope to be back.
Really friendly and enthusiastic hosts, great range of things to make and techniques to learn and use. Nice environment, parking was fine. Great fun with the girls - would highly recommend!
Me and my partner had such a great time at this workshop! The hosts were so good at explaining and helping you with anything you needed, and set a really fun atmosphere for the evening spent in a lovely group. Couldn't believe the results we got on the hand moulding and wheel. The studio is also lovely. Would recommend to anyone wanting to try pottery. A really great first introduction workshop or place to grow a few skills.
This was an excellent evening out. Our hosts were very helpful at the start, letting us know everything that was on offer, and then just gave us free rein for the whole session, (although they were on hand if we needed anything). You could make us much or as little as you wanted, using as much clay as you could get through. Would highly recommend as a fun activity.
Fantastic teachers and resources. The tutors were supportive of our creative visions, and patient with our learning. It was a fun event to be in. Great to try both kinds of pottery. This was our second time, and it was just as exciting doing it a second time, and I enjoyed being able to make very slightly more advanced work that what I felt able to do in the first session. Have been raving about it to friends, and can't wait to go back.
Fantastic evening with lovely hosts! Would recommend to all!
Such a fantastic experience- felt that the support from the team was above and beyond. Such a warm and inviting space. I would thoroughly recommend for anyone looking to do a course.
Really enjoyed the pottery class and would recommend to a friend. I hope to come to another class soon!
Fun evening, particularly enjoyed the wheel.
Great experience, would definitely recommend
Really good experience! Only improvement would be slightly more guidance on the handcrafting work. Really lovely hosts, thanks!
The two girls were informative and friendly, made it an enjoyable experience
A fun and informative experience! In a welcoming and friendly environment. Would highly recommend.
It was a lovely evening doing pottery with my Wife, the hosts were extremely helpful and very friendly! You can learn alot and have so much fun in the 3 hours you’re there!
It was great fun and well run
Was a fun introduction to pottery. Felt time was a bit short on the wheel but that’s due to enjoying it so much!
We had an awesome time. Learnt so much in such a short space of time. Would definitely recommend.
Loved it! Thank you!
Amazing experience, loved every minute. It lasted more than 3 hours, time went by so fast! Would love to do it again.
What an amazing experience, had so much fun and amazed myself at what I created!
Came on my own, but was made to feel included and welcomed. I had no clue what i was doing but the teaching was very clear, with lots of help throughout the evening.
Facilitators were friendly and supportive, activity was fun and engaging .
A fun evening which flew by. It was great to have a go at the wheel and Naomi was very encouraging and happy to rescue when needed. It's a lovely studio and the team was friendly and welcoming 🙂
Thank you so much for the introduction into throwing and hand building, I really enjoyed it and would love to come again.
I really enjoyed my day, 3 hrs is perfect as it gives you time to settle in. The hosts were great giving plenty of encouragement to all. And it was nice to having the option of trying the wheel, something I may come to at a later date.
Fun workshop accessible to beginners. The team is great and will make sure you get all the info you need to bring your project to life!
Really loved the wheel throwing …. Could have done that all night. My first time ever … it was great fun.
I ran out of time doing my hand building of a slab square box. Needed more time to cut the squares exactly the right shape and let them dry a little so they were more leather hard to stick the box together. I also rushed the colour application which was a shame. There was no yellow or green colours to paint my sunflowers.
Really enjoyed the whole evening. Thank you.
This workshop teaches both hand building and wheel throwing quickly and concisely - everyone got the hang of the wheel in just an hour, and had plenty of time to practice hand building on top of that!
I got this for my husband as a gift and wasn't sure what to expect, we had a fab time! So much so we will likely book again, was a fantastic little bit of escapism ;)
I had a great time which went all too quickly.. Everyone was very helpful explaining things easily for a novice like me ..
Easy to find, really fun and loads of creative freedom in the session, but still learning the skills needed from a beginner perspective, but also enough to keep someone who has done it before occupied. super fun, thank you so much! absolutely loved it
Thoroughly enjoyable evening. It was great to be creative and have something to show for our efforts. The team were lovely and so helpful. A great experience.
This was my fathers 75th birthday present as he always wanted to throw etc, so I booked and my niece too! We all had an utterly fabulous time, time that even in a heatwave went far too quick.
Thoroughly enjoyed, I’ve never known the 3 of us so focused and thoughtful.
Would HIGHLY recommend.
Was a friendly event which I did on my own. Made to feel welcome and Thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Such a great afternoon I had no experience but the tutors were so good I was making in no time I even managed to throw a decent bowl! Had a great time can highly recommend!
Naomi and Meredith are the best hosts ever. Second time I've done this class. Really good fun way to spend an evening :)
Very welcoming, instructive but relaxed.
I had such a lovely time getting stuck into wheel throwing for my first ever time. It really surprises me how much I enjoyed it :) Exploring hand building was fun too. The studio is so spacious, airy and lovely. And the hosts were so so nice too! Such a good evening and will definitely be going back to try out more wheel stuff :)
The hosts were really patient with me, friendly, knowledgeable and attentive.
I had a great few hours and it really took my mind off of things which is what I needed. Fantastic value for money.
This was a great workshop as an intro to pottery. The pace was just right and we got to grips with the basics... it definitely has made me want to try more pottery
I really enjoyed the experience, especially the wheel throwing. Felt like we did so much in such a small amount of time... the 3 hours just flew! Would love to have learnt a tiny bit about glazing as we did use the glazes, but I understand that is a different class in itself. Can't wait to see the final pieces and to maybe book in for some longer courses!
Big bowl energy
For a beginner, the host made it easy for us to understand. There would be on-hand help and guidance when needed.
Had a fantastic afternoon at ridgeway studios with a Friend. The instructor Tory and Naomi were so friendly, welcoming and gave clear instructions through out the class and as a result very happy with my 2 creations. Will definitely be recommending to others.
The hosts made the whole session seem easy and fun. Definitely recommend the session if you want to try using a potters wheel
Loved this workshop so much! Naomi and Meredith were amazing instructors and the studio itself was beautiful! Already looking forward to going back!
Great fun - good instruction but not too rigid and plenty of time to play with clay
This is the second time I have done this workshop and I had so much fun. The staff are super friendly, helpful and allow you to be creative no matter your ability! A great day out for sure!
We loved this pottery experience. It was a really chilled and relaxing environment to learn in and the hosts were so lovely and helpful. Would 100% recommend!
Really friendly and helpful hosts! A great day!
Brilliant fun. Would love to do again!
Friendly warm atmosphere and lovely people .
A great creative evening. Much fun and laughter
We were really well looked after through the session and thoroughly enjoyed our time at Ridgeway Studios, thank you!
Really well run sessions, fun and educational
This is the second time I have been and would definitely go again! Brilliant experience and lovely hosts.
I loved this experience. I've always wanted to try throwing and working with clay and this was the best introduction into it without knowing anything! It was creative and fun and the hosts were really enthusiastic and helpful. I would definitely recommend doing this workshop!
We all had such a lovely afternoon, everyone was so helpful and attentive. Thank you.
Lovely hosts and had a great time!
It was a very relaxed and fun workshop. Really enjoyed the laid back vibe with 1:1 tutorials if needed. Would definitely go back!
Amazing experience for beginners into pottery, the hosts were really friendly and ensured you made most of your time at the workshop. This is amazing value for money! I would definitely recommend this to a friend.
Really great fun in a lovely upbeat but relaxed atmosphere. The time went so quickly because we were so engrossed in what we were doing. Would definitely recommend for a group, couple or on your own.
Meredith and Naomi made this experience wonderful! They were super helpful and patient and my mum and I enjoyed every second of the 3 hours. Totally recommend, would 100% do it again 😊
Fantastic experience. All the hosts were brilliant - very knowledgeable and friendly.
Me and Paul would like to say a massive thank you for this experience!
We liked the variety of activities and relaxed approach and very much hope to do it again.
We achieved much more than we had expected.
Thank you.
Really fun and light hearted session but informative and we got to make lots of things! Learnt a lot from fantastic teachers
Such a lovely studio and even lovelier hosts ! Everyone was very welcoming and helpful . The workshop had a clear structure and we had enough time to faff about before deciding what to develop. I'll be going back soon hopefully !
Judgement free zone to be creative, lots of time to try different things and lovely staff.
The whole team were really friendly and welcoming, I had a very enjoyable afternoon and would recommend to anyone who fancies a creative afternoon out.
My wife and I had a lovely time at Ridgeway - thoroughly recommend it. Relaxing, creative and fun! Will definitely go back
I had an amazing pottery session! The team was super friendly and very helpful. I highly recommend to anyone. I loved it so much that I am looking at other sessions they hold in the future.
Couldn't rate it enough! Experienced and warm teachers, very patient and encouraging! Great range of tools and materials, felt like there was loads of variety. Fab evening !
Had the most wonderful time at Ridgeway! Really good value for money, got to make loads of things and the hosts were so helpful and supportive. Great atmosphere- 10/10!
It was really interesting and we learnt a lot.
loved it! i felt like i really got the time to get creative and it was such a good chance for me to get creative. This was a really good taster for me and has inspired me to book onto a course to further learn pottery. Thank you so much!
Really amazing class , taught me all the basics and has left me a lot more confident to try myself at home !
Had a great evening - thank you!
Great host, very fun and learnt a lot about pottery.
An opportunity to be creative with clay with teachers who were friendly and encouraging. Also a supportive and enabling atmosphere. I ended up standing for most of the 3 hours though which meant I felt a bit tired at the end. Thank you.
Naomi and Meredith were both very approachable and knowledgeable, would recommend and may come again :)
Amazing experience, we tried a couple of hand-making clay techniques and pottery wheel for the first time. We were provided with instructions and support along the way. Really enjoyed it and would like to do more pottery in the future
A lovely way to spend the afternoon. Inspiring!
Have been to crafty Saturdays quite a few times now. Really fun to have access to both hand- building and throwing on the wheel. Great intro to pottery.
Really enjoyed this pottery session yesterday. Great teachers who explained everything clearly and gave everyone the confidence to get stuck in and have a go. Good fun and I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes to make things.
Fab hosts and very knowledgeable. Fun creative workshop but also learnt a lot of useful tips. Would definitely recommend. Will be back for more
Finola Thomas is Ridgeway Studios' founder. After doing a master's in Ceramic Design at Brighton University, Finola now specialises in throwing. Her slick and minimal designs are influenced by industrial structures. Finola's most recent project has been starting a family with husband and co-owner Max. Finola is currently on maternity leave but will be offering classes and courses in the near future - stay tuned...
Ask your question directly to Fishponds Pottery at Ridgeway Studios.