Call or email to book a ‘Have a go’ Pottery Experience, Pottery Short Course, or buy a Gift Voucher.

View pricing and details

Buy pieces from the Woodside Pottery Gallery.
Selected pieces will be for sale during Dorset Art Week from May 25 to June 9, 2024. Please call or email ahead to arrange your visit and book a visiting time slot.

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Frequently Asked Questions – Answered

I'm happy to answer any questions or things you may be unsure about. Most visitors to the studio often have similar questions before starting an exciting project or an experience day, so do take a look below where I have answered the most frequent questions asked.

Opening hours

Woodside Pottery is available by appointment only.
The Studio is open on weekdays and some weekends. However, due to limited availability, Saturdays and Sundays often get booked quickly. The Gallery is available to browse during pottery experiences and pottery courses. The Gallery can also be viewed by calling first to arrange a visit if you are considering purchasing a piece of pottery.

Full-day sessions start at 9:30 am and end at 4:30 pm (with a 1-hour break).
Morning sessions start at 9:30 am and end at 12:30 pm.
Afternoon sessions start at 1:30 pm and end at 4:30 pm.

Note: We are closed for the holidays between the 16th of December to the 6th of January.

What should I wear?

Please wear casual clothes that you don't mind getting splats of clay on. We do provide aprons but pottery can be messy. Please also ensure you have short fingernails too!

What is the difference between a half-day 3-hour session and a full-day session?

Within a 3-hour session, you can try throwing a pot on the wheel and create something else using hand-building techniques.
In a full-day session, you'll also try both pottery methods with more time to experiment, get creative, make more items or do something more ambitious! Full-day sessions also have a one-hour break for lunch halfway through the day. Lunch is not provided.

Is lunch provided?

No, lunch is not provided by Woodside Pottery.
Full-day sessions have a one-hour break for lunch halfway through the session. You are welcome to bring a packed lunch or visit the local farm shop, pubs, or cafes in West Moors.

Where can I park?

You can park outside on the road for free. Woodside Road is very quiet and safe with lots of space and does not require any permits to park.

How many other people will be there during my course or experience day?

Just you. All courses and experience days are unique for your booking only. You will have private 1-to-1 tuition from Grazyna in her small pottery studio and will not share the facilities with any other bookings at the same time.

What is the maximum group size?

Four people only. The studio is quite small so we cannot facilitate more than four people in a single booking.

Can I bring children?

Children must be over 14 years old to do an experience day or pottery course. The clay you will be using at Woodside Pottery has to be fired using a kiln and the process requires a few basic rules of physics & chemistry which must be obeyed when creating pots, sculptures or art pieces. Without following these processes, pieces may break or explode during the firing. This makes it difficult for young children to stay engaged in the process and make pottery.

Will I be able to keep what I make?

Yes! But you will not be able to take it away with you on the day. All pottery requires drying, firing and glazing before it can be used or displayed. You will have to pop-back and collect your finished pieces in approximately six weeks after your session.

Do you have any reviews?

Yes. We've had lots of people come and visit the studio over the years. You can find reviews on the Woodside Pottery Facebook page, Trip Advisor and Google Reviews.

"I'm not very creative, can I still come and make something?"

Of course! In fact, a lot of visitors to the studio doing a Pottery Experience claim not to be creative, and often surprise themselves when making their very first pot, mug or sculpture! Pottery is fun and we do not require you to have any previous experience. Grazyna will guide you through the process 100% of the way.

How much does it cost?

One person for a 3-hour morning or afternoon pottery session costs £100.
One person for a full-day pottery session costs £190.

Two people for a 3-hour morning or afternoon pottery session costs £150.
Two people for a full-day pottery session costs £260.

Three people for a 3-hour morning or afternoon pottery session costs £180.
Three people for a full-day pottery session costs £315.

Four people for a 3-hour morning or afternoon pottery session costs £220.
Four people for a full-day pottery session costs £360.

Coronavirus

If you haven't received your Coronavirus vaccinations from 2020 to 2022 or booster shots since then, please bring a mask to wear for your pottery session. Grazyna has been fully vaccinated and will wear a mask, too, if required.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) updates

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus the studio is temporarily closed. I hope to reopen on Monday the 28th of September depending on whether the number of confirmed cases is low and continues to fall.

When will the studio re-open?

We are planning to re-open from Saturday 17th April, 2021.

Can I make an advance booking and come after the pandemic is over?

Yes. You can make an advance booking from mid April 2021 onwards.

What measures are in place to keep safe?

All tools, surfaces and equipment will be disinfected and wiped down before you arrive.
Please bring your own aprons and if you are coming for three hours or longer please also bring your own mug for a tea break.
Hand sanitiser will be available as well as antibacterial hand wash.
These procedures are aimed at keeping us safe but not at spoiling the fun of working in clay.

Customer making pottery

'Have a Go' experiences

Come and 'Have a Go' at making your own pottery at our small studio in Dorset.

'Have a Go' Experiences
Buy a gift voucher

Buy a gift voucher

Give the gift of pottery to someone special with a pottery experience voucher.

Buy a Gift Voucher
The Studio at Woodside Pottery

The Studio

Explore the studio at Woodside Pottery in Dorset.

View the studio