Pottery Courses

Pottery Courses at Bentham Pottery in the UK

Pottery courses

Student throwing a pot

We have been teaching pottery courses at Bentham for the last 35 years. We specialize in teaching how to throw pottery on a wheel. Check out our throwing demonstration videos to gain an understanding of our techniques.

We can also supply pottery course gift vouchers for pottery courses which make unusual, thoughtful Christmas, birthday, anniversary or retirement presents.  Contact us for details about any of these.

Pottery Courses – Details

The following information should answer most of your queries, however please contact us should you wish to know anything else.

Where
In a working pottery located in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales near Ingleton, famous for its stunning Waterfalls Walk, Three Peaks challenges, exhilarating cycle rides, caving & climbing.
Tutors
Under the guidance of Kathy Cartledge or her son Lee who have, between them, over 50 years experience of craftsmanship and production thrown stoneware pottery.
What
We specialise in teaching throwing – from complete beginners to more advanced students.
Intro to Pottery Course
For an ‘introduction to pottery’ course:
  • in a typical half day course, we’d start with teaching you basic throwing techniques such as centre-ing, opening out and pulling up the walls culminating in making your own bowl on the wheel and maybe more
  • additionally, on a full day, you could then spend the rest of the afternoon on the wheel however a full day can be a bit much on the wheel so you could combine this with some hand building.
Classes are tailored to the participants’ preferences.

We are also now running a 5 day ‘Beginners Guide to Pottery Throwing’ – see details here.

 When
We teach some Monday mornings, Wednesday mornings, Friday afternoons.  Individual tuition is only available on Monday and Wednesday – not Fridays.
Please see the available dates page : https://www.benthampottery.com/full-day-12-day-beginners-courses/ 
Cost
 
Per half day session:
1 or 2 people – individual tuition    – £130 for the session
2 to 4 people                                      – £55 each
Classes may contain between 2 and 4 people in total unless you have specifically requested individual tuition for either 1 or 2 people.
The price includes the firing and glazing of 2 selected pieces per person per session (to be collected at a later date.)  (4 pieces on a 1 to 1 course.)
We limit the number of people to 4 on one course to ensure plenty of personal attention.
Vouchers
Pottery course vouchers, for £110, can be purchased. These can be emailed to you. (Useful for last minute presents.)
Timetable
Normally 9:30 till 12 and/or 1 till 3:30 in the afternoon.
Refreshment
Drinks provided.  If you are attending a full day session, there are places for lunch in Bentham or you can bring a packed lunch.  We recommend you wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, something warm in winter and cut your nails if long.
Finishing Work
If you would like work to be fired/glazed, it will need to dry thoroughly & go through 2 firings which can take up to 6 weeks depending on its size, the weather and the time of year. We will contact you after this to arrange for a convenient time for you to collect it.
Accommodation
This can be provided in one of our on-site self-catering cottages or you can bring your own touring caravan and use one of our pitches. Alternatively, there are plenty of bed and breakfasts, cottages etc in the Ingleton area.
To find out more
To find out more and/or make a booking, please email lee@BenthamPottery.com or call us on 07776 084856 (day) 
Reviews
See what other people have said about attending a course at Bentham Pottery.  Here’s our Facebook and Trip Advisor  reviews.