Frequently Asked Questions

We are very much hoping to open and ready for customers the 2nd week of October 2025. 

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Yes of course. We all had to start somewhere and we very much welcome brand new potters. 

A member of staff will be on hand to help you. 

Or you can sign up for an introductory session just to see if you think you might like it! (But we know you will!)

An introductory session includes a guided tour around the studio, a brief introduction to the types of clay and glazes we use, how to set up and clean up after your session, a little bit of paper work then a demonstration on how to make a pinch pot where you experience handling the clay. Nothing quite beats being able to play with clay!

Wear something comfortable that you don't mind getting covered in clay! 

Aprons are provided or you can bring your own.

Clay doesn't stain your clothes and washes out well but you might want to change out of your clay covered clothes before getting in your car as it's very dusty once it dries!

Shoes must be worn at all times. No flip flops please.

Clay also doesn't damage jewelry but best to leave that at home!

Nails are best kept short and hair must be tired back.

We have plaster lined damp boxes that you can leave your creation in to work on another time. 

Or you can stay for an afternoon session if there is one available on the day. 

Creations are kept for a maximum of 6 weeks before they are reclaimed. Unfortunately we will not have the room to store your creations indefinitely. 

An open studio session is where you come to do your own thing. There is no teaching involved. You choose when to come and what to make. 

A member of staff will be on hand to answer questions or offer advice but not to teach.

Teaching seasons can be booked separately. 

Upon arrival you will be given your own bucket of warm water you can use for working with your clay and cleaning up after yourself. 

These buckets of clay water are then left to settle over night before the clear water on the top is drained and clay left in the bottom is recycled. 

The studio has its own septic tank so no clay water must be tipped down the sink. 

The same goes for glaze water. You will be given a jug of water to wash your brushes in. This water is then left to settle over night before the clear water on the top is drained off and the glaze particles at the bottom recycled. No glaze water should be tipped down the sink. 

Yes! Anything that is displayed with a price tag on it is available to buy. 

We have a card reader in the studio.

If the price tag has an initial on it, this means the item was made by one of our studio clients. They then get the profits minus 20% kept by the studio.

If you would like to sell something in the studio then please just ask for a price tag. Items will be displayed for a maximum of 6 weeks before we allow room for something else.

A work shop is a guided session which focusses on something in particular. For example a Botanical workshop, a mug making session, a seasonal decoration session, a sip and paint party, a chicken making workshop, a sgraffito session with outside guest speakers or just a simple glazing tuition session. Each workshop is individually priced depending on the length of time required or amount of clay used.  

An open studio session costs £40. This is for 4 hours in our well equipped studio including the use of all the tools and equipment. This also helps to cover the cost of the utility bills and insurances.

The only additional cost is for the clay you use which is charged at £1.50 per 100gm. Only your finished piece is weighed and paid for in advance of its 1st firing. We have a card reader in the studio or you can choose to pay by cash. 

Yes of course.

In fact refreshments will be provided half way through your session.

Just make sure you wash your hands after working with your clay and keep greasy fingers away from the workbenches.

You are welcome to bring your own food but please take all your wrappers and drink bottles away with you.

Yes. There is a unisex bathroom within the studio. 

Usually within a couple of weeks.

Clay has to be bone dry before it can have its 1st bisque firing otherwise it will explode in the kiln!

The length of time it takes to dry depends on how thick your piece is and what the ambient temperature is in the room. Clay doesn't like to be rushed so its best to let it dry slowly to prevent cracking.

A bisque firing (900⁰-1040⁰C) then takes 24-36 hours and that depends on kiln availability. 

Your piece will then need to have  glaze applied and fired again. This glaze firing (1200⁰-1230⁰C) takes a bit longer - usually around 36-48 hours. The kiln must cool slowly and cannot be opened until it reaches 50⁰ to prevent thermal shock and cracking.

You piece is then ready to take home and wow your friends!

You unfinished piece can be taken home to work on further but the clay must be weighed and paid for before it leaves the studio.

I'm afraid not.

Different clays have different firing temperatures. If a low fire clay is accidentally mixed in with a high fire clay and high fired, then the low fire clay melts like a cookie in an oven. It spreads over the kiln shelf, ruining anything in its way then drips over the edge of the kiln shelf onto shelves below and even onto the bottom of the kiln. This not only ruins someone else's creation but can cause 100's of £'s worth of damage to the kiln.

However, Sophie has her own kiln in Copthorne which will soon be listed on www.kilnshare.com

Don't worry. Anything that has been made and fired needs to get finished! Fired clay cannot be recycled so we would rather you got to enjoy your masterpiece.

A member of staff can glaze it for you for a small donation to our chosen Charity. It can then be posted or delivered to you at cost.

Clay that is stored in one of our damp boxes will be stored for 6 weeks before its reclaimed. We can store longer than 6 weeks if you have booked in another session to come back.

Clay that has had its 1st firing will be stored for 6 weeks. After that time it may be used for testing glazes. Again it can be held for longer if you have booked in another session to come back.

A glazed item will be held for 6 months before it is either given to Charity or sold in our studio. Proceeds will go to Charity. You are welcome to have you piece delivered or posted at your cost but I wouldn't wholly trust the postal system! Please don't rely on us to contact you 1st. Storage space will be limited.

Each session can hold up to 8 people but we only have space for 5 wheels.

It is very unlikely that all 8 people will be wanting to use a wheel at the same time.

However, during those sessions we may be offering a wheel throwing session. So if you know you will just be wanting use of a wheel then please let us know and we will reserve one for you. Please arrive promptly for your session as we can only reserve your wheel for half an hour before being offered to someone else.

Yes, school age children are welcome if booked into a childrens workshop but must be accompanied by an adult. Children will need to be reminded not to touch other peoples work in case of accidents. Unfired pieces are very fragile.

It is the parent's / carer's responsibility to clear up after their child.

Please do not bring your children to the studio if you are booked onto a session for yourself. 

I'm afraid not. The kiln room will be separate to the work rooms. Kilns will be locked during firing. Loading and unloading the kiln is a whole different skill.

However we will be willing to explain how the kiln works and show you how its done if that is something you are interested in. We love to share knowledge.

 Absolutely – we can cater for birthdays, corporate team building, hen parties, and other group events.  Once we have established what your requirements are, we can create a private booking page for you, accessed with a unique password you can share with your group. Be sure to create an account so we can send you the password / link to your private page. 

Yes we do. They can bought online or in person for any nominated amount.

Yes. We have parking for up to 12 cars. There is a little woodland walk between the car park and the studio - just follow the arrowed signs.

It's a very picturesque walk past the lake and through the rhododendrons.

Please make sure you wear suitable footwear. It may be muddy. 

It would also be sensible to bring different shoes to wear inside the studio.

Be careful as the path is not lit at night so please bring a torch. We are more than happy to walk you back to your car in the evening if you are afraid of the dark!

Cars and their contents are left entirely at the owner's risk.

Please park courteously so we can get you all in.  Please keep to the paths and the remainder of the grounds - especially towards the main house. These area's are private and must be respected.

There is hard standing in the top car park for anyone with a disabled badge. The woodland path - although flat - is unmade so please call for assistance if you require it. There are several access doors into the studio - one of which will have a ramp rather than steps.

A wheel chair accessible work bench can be provided and a member of staff is on hand to help you.

The bathroom door is of standard width.

Please feel free to message us if you have any additional needs. We will do our very best to accommodate you and your need.

The open studio sessions and throwing lessons are 4 hours long.

They are 9.30am - 1.30pm and 2pm - 6pm.

An introductory session is 2½ hours long and times vary according to demand.

Workshops will tend to be on a Wednesday and times will vary according to what is being offered.

Functions and Parties will be focused on Friday and Saturday afternoon / evenings and will be added to the calendar as and when demand is called for.

Sessions can be booked 1 month in advance. 

Your session is non refundable so please make sure you can make your session before booking it.

In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to change your date but at least 3 days notice must be given.