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.

Public Workshops

  • 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.
    £40 per person
    Max group 8

    Join a class
  • A person holding a white ceramic or porcelain object while a needle applies green adhesive or paint to a specific area of the object.

    Seasonal Special Workshop

    Create your own seasonal ceramic piece inspired by the time of year, from Halloween ghosts to festive Christmas houses.
    £45 per person
    Max group 8

    Reserve your space
  • 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.
    £50 per person
    max group 6

    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.
    £50 per person
    max group 6

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

    Ramen Bowl Workshop

    Make your own handmade ramen bowl while exploring clay, slip decoration, and glaze. A small group workshop focused on creating a functional piece you'll use for years to come.
    £65 per person
    Max group 4

    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

  • Build A Ceramic Bird House with Emily Bird

    Join guest potter Emily Bird for a 2.5-hour handbuilding workshop creating your own ceramic house.

    Join Class

Private Pottery Events

  • Cost - £45 per person
    Time - 2 hours
    Max people - 8


    A calm, hands-on workshop introducing the basics of handbuilding. We begin with a short demonstration of techniques such as pinch, coil, and slab. After that you are free to create your own piece, with gentle guidance available throughout. No experience needed.

    What’s included
    • Clay, tools, and materials
    • Demonstration of handbuilding techniques
    • On hand guidance
    • Aprons provided
    • We glaze and fire your piece
    • Collection in three to four weeks

  • Cost - £50 per person
    Time - 3 hours
    Max people - 6


    Design and make your own cup or mug using simple slab and pinch-building techniques. We'll guide you through shaping your form, attaching a handle, and refining your piece, with the option to add texture or surface decoration. No experience needed.

    What's included
    • Clay, tools, and materials
    • Step by step guidance
    • Cup and mug building techniques
    • Aprons provided
    • We glaze and fire your finished piece

  • £50 per person
    max 6 people
    3 hours

    Design and handbuild your own vase using simple slab techniques. We will guide you through shaping, joining, and refining your form, then introduce surface decoration methods such as mishima, carving, and texturing. No experience needed.

    What’s included
    • Clay, tools, and materials
    • Step by step guidance
    • Surface decoration techniques including mishima
    • Aprons provided
    • We glaze and fire your finished vase

Book Your Next Session Here
Several people sitting at a wooden table sewing bundles of black hair with thread.

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

Available Guest Classes:

Brush Making Workshop by Function & Form: click here to find out more.

Special Guest Events

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.

See What we are up to in the STUDIO

A few things you’ll find around the studio ♡ Paintings by Rae George, Handmade cups, locally made chopping boards, fresh flowers, Japanese tea, and a rotating collection of work by artists and makers. If you’re looking for somewhere to
Join us next Monday for a Floral Painting Workshop with @raegeorgeart ♡ Inspired by the flowers, colour, and symbolism seen throughout her current exhibition, Rae will guide a small group through a relaxed morning of painting in the gallery. Monday
A new coffee menu has arrived. This week we’ve added six new coffees to the studio, including washed lots from East Timor, Peru, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and a very special Gesha from Panama. Each coffee has its own character, from red apple and hon
We’ve just released a new programme of pottery workshops and courses at Studio by Rock Garden. Alongside returning favourites, we’ve introduced a number of longer format courses for those looking to spend more time with clay. This inclu
A few moments from the weekend ♡ Thank you to everyone who spent part of their weekend with us. Alongside Rae George’s exhibition, you’ll find a curated collection of one of a kind wares, prints, and handmade objects by local artists an
Bank Holiday weekend at STUDIO. Coffee, conversation, families visiting the gallery, and the final weekend of Borrowing Light Photography Exhibition by @bechudsonsmith One of the nicest parts of building the studio has been watching people use the
Final weekend of Borrowing Light by @bechudsonsmith “Moments where light, atmosphere, and memory overlap.” Bec’s photographs explore seasonal changes, shifting landscapes, and quiet details that are often overlooked. Work that as
Peony season in the studio. Flowers from the garden, coffee on the bar. What’s your drink of choice? Open Friday to Bank Holiday Monday. 22nd - 25th May
On the shelves. Handmade ceramics and objects made in York by local artists and makers. Small batch pieces, one-off works, books, brushes, coffee, woodwork, and objects for the home, all selected slowly and changing regularly throughout the year.
We’re very excited to announce a series of guest throwing workshops with ceramicist Gabriel Nichols at STUDIO by Rock Garden. Gabriel is a production potter based between York and Hull, known for his large thrown vessels and garden pots. His w
A weekend at the studio. Studio by Rock Garden is a small gallery and shop for handmade work. We make and sell our own handmade ceramics here alongside pieces from local artists and makers. The walls change each month with a new exhibition, and t
On the bar Matcha @ippukuteahouse Coffee @harmony_coffee_roaster Milk @greyleys_jersey_milk Ceramics @rockgardenceramics sourced locally
New to the studio We’ve welcomed a new maker into the space. Dave Atkin of Woodwyrm, a local woodworker based in York. Dave carves each piece by hand, working with locally sourced wood. His practice is rooted in traditional carving techniques,

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.