Book a Private Workshop or Join a Public Event at

STUDIO

People working on pottery at a table with clay bowls and tools.

How It Works-

Join one of our public sessions or book a private workshop for you and your friends (minimum 4 people) or

All classes take place in our micro studio — a small, creative space designed for hands-on learning, connection, and quality time making together.

Upcoming Events

Public Workshop

  • Two people working on pottery at a craft workshop, with bowls, clay tools, and clay pieces on the table.

    Intro to Handbuilding

    Learn pinch, coil & slab techniques and make your own tableware or sculpture.

    Join a class
  • People working on a pottery project at a wooden table with clay, pottery tools, and candles.

    Slab-Built Vase Workshop

    Design and handbuild your own vase, using natural textures like foliage and rocks for decoration.

    Join a class
  • Person shaping a clay dish on a small blue turntable with pottery tools and a cup nearby.

    Trinket & Nibble Trays

    Create small serving trays, jewellery holders, or trinket dishes.

    Join a class
  • Four small ceramic bowls with leaf imprints and textured surfaces, placed on a wooden surface.

    Cups & Mugs Workshop

    Cups & Mugs Workshop – Handbuild your own ceramic mug or cup, shaped and sized to your liking.

    Join a class
  • A hand with a small cutting tool cut through a piece of gray cardboard, creating a curved slit in the material.

    Candle Holder Workshop

    Design your own candle holder or tealight piece using handbuilding methods.

    Join a class
  • Two people working on clay pottery at a table in a cozy, art-studio-style space with shelves of pottery and wall art.

    Wheel & Handbuilding Workshop

    Combine the pottery wheel with handbuilding for a complete clay experience.

    Join a class
  • Person is holding a small, white ceramic fish-shaped vessel with a hole at the top, from which green glaze is being poured with a brush.

    Paint Pottery

    Hand-thrown by us, painted by you.
    Choose from a small selection of Rock Garden originals, thrown by Lydia and bisque-fired by Zak in our studio. Made using our own hand-recycled clay, each piece is unique, so forms will vary from session to session.

    Find out more

Book a Private Session

Are you looking to try something new or want to learn more and dive deeper into pottery making or looking for somewhere to celebrate with friends, check out the below:

People working on pottery projects at a wooden table, with pottery tools, clay, candles, and finished pottery pieces.

Private Group Clay Session

Hands shaping a piece of pottery on a spinning pottery wheel.

A relaxed, social pottery experience for small groups celebrating, reconnecting, or simply spending time together.

Perfect for birthdays, family gatherings, or creative catch-ups with friends. These sessions are guided, informal, and suitable for all abilities. Expect a calm, welcoming atmosphere with plenty of time to explore clay together.

Best for:
Friends and family groups
Celebrations and shared creative experiences

View available dates and book

Foundations 1 to 1 Clay Sessions

A focused, one-to-one pottery session designed for those looking to deepen their understanding of clay and improve their skills.

These sessions are ideal for returning potters or beginners who want more time, guidance, and space to develop their technique. Together, we will work at your pace, refining form, process, and confidence on the wheel or through hand-building.

Best for:
Developing skills, confidence, and clay knowledge
Personal guidance and tailored learning

View available dates and book

Several people sitting at a wooden table sewing bundles of black hair with thread.

Special Guest Workshops and Events

A rotating programme of special workshops led by guest artists, makers, and small businesses.

These sessions offer the chance to explore different materials, techniques, and creative disciplines alongside clay. Each event is unique, with its own focus, format, and host.

Best for:
Trying something new
Artist-led and collaborative experiences

2026 events launching soon.

Workshop & Event FAQ

  • Experience needed? None — all sessions are beginner-friendly.

  • What will I make? 2–4 handbuilt pieces, or a pot on the wheel (sometimes both).

  • Suitable for children? Mainly adults/teens. Family-friendly painting or private sessions on request.

  • What to wear? Comfy clothes you don’t mind getting clay on. Aprons provided. Short nails + tied-back hair recommended.

  • When will my work be ready? After firing + glazing: approx. 3–4 weeks. We’ll notify you for collection (postage available).

  • Private group sessions? Yes — birthdays, hens, team days, socials. Email us to book.

  • Other workshops? Yes — guest artists lead events in brush making, printmaking, music, and more.

Is the wheel hard to learn?
It can be tricky, but that’s part of the joy. Wobbles and collapses are part of the process — and the clay is always reclaimed and reused. Many people start with handbuilding first, but we’ll guide you through either way.

What is reclaimed clay?
Clay that’s been used, trimmed, collapsed, or dried, then rehydrated and kneaded back to life. At Rock Garden, we recycle every bit — keeping workshops sustainable and waste-free.

Can I book a private group session?
Yes. We host private workshops for birthdays, hen parties, team days, or creative socials. Bring your own snacks/drinks or request coffee bar service. Email us to check dates.

Do you run other workshops besides pottery?
Yes. Alongside clay, we host guest-led sessions in brush making, printmaking, and other creative crafts — even music events.

What they’re saying

  • Person shaping clay on a pottery wheel in a dimly lit pottery studio.

    Fab family Saturday night out! A group of us aged 17 to 56 spent the evening hand-building and trying out the wheel

    Google Review

  • A latte with latte art in a beige cup, placed on a wooden surface with a potted plant and three rocks.

    Absolutely brilliant introductory course to ceramics. Highly recommend if you even have a slightest interest in pottery. Lovely team, great atmosphere and on top of it all, best coffee I've tasted.

    3 week course participant

  • People working on clay pottery at a workshop, shaping bowls on a table.

    We had a great afternoon, the team were very welcoming and gave clear instructions, so suitable for beginners! Great fun! We made two items each and then chose a glaze. They are ready for collection within about a month, but ours were ready in just over a week.

    Google review

  • A person wearing yellow gloves holding unfinished pottery, with pottery items on a table in the background.

    To start the studio is such an incredible space, that makes you feel at home as soon as you walk in. We were able to have a go at throwing, and hand building. We learned all about glaze, the different types and ways to add colour to your pots I learned so much in both lessons and I am eager to see how my pots come out.

    Google review

  • People working on ceramic pottery at a table with tools, candles, and art supplies in a pottery studio.

    Highly recommend! Me and my sisters and friend attended for a pottery throwing session and really enjoyed! Such a fun, relaxed atmosphere where Lydia let us get hands on with great tips and demonstrations.

    Google review

  • Person shaping wet clay on a pottery wheel in a pottery studio.

    I had such a great time doing a short pottery course at STUDIO by Rock Garden where I learned multiple hand building techniques and the wheel. Lydia is so passionate about her work and a kind and generous teacher. Highly recommend!!

    3 week course participant, Google Review.

Visit the STUDIO

You can visit our micro studio, gallery, and coffee bar during opening hours.
We’re based in York and welcome walk-ins for coffee, gallery visits, and Paint a Handmade Pot sessions.

Studio by Rock Garden
9 Scarcroft Road
York
YO23 1ND

A corner building with a brick facade, housing a shop called 'STUDIO by Rock Garden,' with two women sitting outside on a bench, under a green awning, on a sunny day with a clear blue sky.