Logo with text 'STUDIO by Rock Garden' and a decorative olive branch.

What You’ll Find Here

From Friday to Monday, the Micro studio is open to the public — a calming space filled with curated tools, artworks, and handmade pieces from makers we admire. Expect to find:


  • One-of-a-kind, hand-thrown pots made by Zak and Lydia in York, some designed for everyday use, others created in collaboration with Michelin-level chefs.

  • Hand-forged knives, oak chopping boards, and more, crafted locally by skilled artisans.

    Find out more about our makers and craftsmen.

  • Ceramic tools and pottery materials by Potclays.

  • A rotating exhibition space showcasing paintings and fine art by emerging and established artists, mostly local, sometimes further afield, always curated with care.

    Find out who’s currently exhibiting-

  • We serve both house drinks and a range of guest coffees selected for their uniqueness and rarity from local roaster Harmony and selection of rotating guest roasters.

    Find our more-

An interior view of a beige wall with three framed landscape paintings arranged vertically. A wooden shelf holding a sunflower bouquet in a swirl-patterned vase, along with some pottery and decorative plates, is below the paintings.
A corner view of a three-story brick building with a green storefront labeled "STUDIO by Rock Garden," located at the intersection of unmarked streets. The building has multiple windows, some with curtains, and a small sign with street name "Unummill
Wooden templates and planks of wood for crafting or woodworking, with some small wooden sticks, on a wooden table.
Several people working on pottery projects at a wooden table with various tools, a candle, and pottery pieces in progress.
Ceramic plates with pressed plant leaves and flowers arranged on a wooden surface, some plates feature pink, green, and yellow botanical specimens.
View of a cozy coffee shop seen through an open green door with a brick frame. Inside, a menu on a wooden board lists various coffee drinks and prices. The counter features a white espresso machine, potted plant, and shelves displaying cups, pots, an
A collection of ceramic cups and a small white vase on a wooden table.
Person shaping wet clay on a pottery wheel in a dimly lit studio
Small glass test tube filled with coffee beans, lying on a wooden surface.
Hands shaping clay on a pottery wheel in a pottery studio.
Person using a metal tool to carve or cut a piece of clay or similar material on a wooden table, with a ruler and a bowl in the background.
A person holding a ceramic fish-shaped planter with a paintbrush applying green glaze to it.
A cup of coffee with latte art on a wooden table, a potted plant with green and red veined leaves, and a few smooth stones.
Interior art gallery with framed landscape paintings on the wall, a wood shelf with decorative pottery and pictures, a plant, and a modern pendant light hanging from the ceiling.
Hot coffee being poured from a glass carafe into a white mug on a wooden surface.
Various wooden cutting boards with circular handles, displayed on a shelf.
Five vases of different sizes, colors, and shapes on a wooden table, with a background of shelves holding pottery and framed landscape paintings.

Events at

Studio by Rock Garden

Our micro studio on Scarcroft Road is more than just a shop and gallery, it’s a place for people to gather, learn, and create. Alongside our rotating exhibitions, we host:

Each event is intimate, hands-on, and designed to give you the chance to slow down, make, and connect.

  • handbuilding, wheel throwing, and pottery painting.

    See what clay events we have on-

  • tastings, brewing sessions, and barista-led evenings.

    Book on to our next coffee event-

  • from brush making and printmaking to other crafts led by local makers.

  • small community gatherings, exhibitions, and seasonal celebrations.

We built this space because we believe in the value of making. Clay, craft, and creativity shouldn’t be inaccessible, and we know firsthand how hard it is to get started.

Studio by Rock Garden was made entirely by hand: the bar, the shelves, the cups, and the ceramics inside it. We use reclaimed materials where possible, and partner only with independent and UK-based suppliers.

This is a space designed to support local artists and thoughtful craft. A new home for our work and for yours too.

A wall with three landscape paintings in frames, a wooden shelf with ceramic dishes and vases, and a vase of yellow sunflowers.

Our Ethos

Who We Are

Zak and Lydia are the co-founders of Rock Garden Ceramics, an independent ceramic studio specialising in handmade tableware for Michelin-starred chefs and fine dining restaurants.

We’ve collaborated with over 20 restaurants and cafés across the UK — including The Black Swan at Oldstead, Frog by Adam Handling, Melton’s, Robbinsons, Flori Bakery, and Roots to name a few. Our work has also featured on BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals and Great British Menu.

When we’re not in the studio, we’re usually out exploring Yorkshire’s landscapes, the crags, the coastline, and the plants growing in the cracks. It’s these textures, colours and quiet details that shape the work we make.

A couple standing outside a corner building with a green storefront called 'STUDIO by Raquel Gorria,' on Nummil Street, with a three-story brick structure. The woman is wearing a beige skirt and jacket, and the man is wearing a white shirt and beige pants.

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