Help me choose

Never touched clay? Done a taster and want more? Somewhere in between? There's no wrong place to start — but there is a right one for you. Here's how it all fits together.

A woman with dark hair in a bun, wearing a dark blue shirt, is holding two pottery vases on a tray in a pottery studio. There are wooden shelves with pottery and ceramics behind her.

Level 1 — Try it

Who this is for: You've never done pottery, or you've had one go and want another. No experience assumed at all.

What you'll get out of it: A feel for whether you like working with clay, a proper demonstration to watch, and something of your own to take home once it's been fired.

What you can book at this level:

Throwing taster →

Two hours on the wheel with plenty of one-to-one help.

Handbuilding taster →

Coil, pinch and slab build in a relaxed session.

Close-up of a white ceramic cup filled with a variety of ceramic pottery tools, next to a pottery throwing wheel.

Masterclasses →

Some of our masterclasses are beginner friendly. Those that are will be marked Level 1. →

Level 2 — Learn the basics

Who this is for: You've done a taster and want to keep going, or you already know you want to learn properly and would rather skip straight in.

What you'll learn: The core skills, built up week by week with the same tutor and the same small group. On the wheel that means centring, opening, pulling up walls and shaping. In handbuilding it means coiling, pinching, slab building, joining with score and slip, and adding texture and decoration. Either way you'll take a piece all the way through to a finished, glazed object.

What you can book at this level:

Beginners throwing course →

Learn the wheel from scratch over several weeks.

Handbuilding course →

Build with your hands — no wheel required.

An assortment of old metal and wooden tools stored in a white container, next to a pottery throwing wheel.

Masterclasses →

Look for masterclasses marked Level 2.

Level 3 — Build on it

Who this is for: You've finished a beginners course and want to keep building, rather than starting over.

What you'll learn: Refining what you can already do — better centring, more control, working bigger and thinner, and getting more consistent results rather than happy accidents. Taught by Lucy Turner, our head technician.

What you can book at this level:

Beginners Plus throwing →

The next step once the basics have clicked.

Intermediate throwing →

More control, bigger forms, better consistency.

A collection of old, worn drawing and sculpting tools in a small ceramic cup on a table, next to a pottery throwing wheel.

Masterclasses →

Look for masterclasses marked Level 3.

Level 4 — Make it yours

Who this is for: You know roughly what you're doing and you don't want to book a class any more — you just want to make.

What you get: Studio access and kiln space to work on your own things, in your own time, alongside a community of other makers doing the same.

What you can book at this level:

Open Access membership →

Full studio access for your own practice.

Light membership →

A smaller commitment, same studio.

A mug filled with pottery tools, placed on a white surface. next to a pottery throwing wheel.

Masterclasses →

Suitable for most members.

Still not sure?

That's okay! Drop us a message with a bit about what you're after and we'll point you the right way.

What people say

  • "The entire team from Fishponds Pottery is amazing. Very friendly and also very professional. I had a brilliant time and I can't wait to return. I highly recommend it!"

    Adelina

    Google review

  • "The studio space is beautiful, with lots of natural light and plenty of ceramics on display for inspiration. We had a lovely time and it was the perfect birthday gift for our friend. Thanks, Finola!"

    Charlotte

    Google review

  • "Highly recommend doing this. It was so much and my friends and I really want to go back for another session. None of us have ever used a wheel before but by the end, we learned so much and felt so proud "

    JV

    Google review