The Pottery Experience in Jesmond: Pottery Painting and Classes

Located at 81 Fern Ave in Jesmond, Newcastle, The Pottery Experience is a welcoming studio and cafe where you can paint pre-made pottery or learn to throw clay on the wheel. The venue is bright, dog-friendly, and open to all skill levels. If you want to paint, you choose a piece—ranging from mugs and jugs to plant pots—priced between A$20 and A$80 depending on the size, plus whatever you order at the cafe. Glazing and firing take between 3 and 5 weeks, as the pieces need to spend at least 48 hours in kilns heated up to 1000°C. If you are on a tight schedule, a 3-to-5-day turnaround can sometimes be arranged, though not during busy periods like Christmas.

For those who want to work with raw clay, Making Experiences start at A$75 per person. This covers making two pots, tutor guidance, materials, and firings, with a follow-up session 1 to 2 months later to paint your creations. They also run specialised courses, such as their three-week Pottery Socials on Friday afternoons, led by team members Liam, Els, and Wade for A$275 per person. Throughout the upcoming months, Wade is hosting specific workshops, including a money box session on 9 August 2026, a pumpkin lantern class on 6 September, boob mug sessions in October, and Christmas bauble workshops in November. There is also an off-site pet bowl painting workshop hosted at Two By Two Brewery and Tap Room in Byker on 20 August 2026 for A$47 to A$60, which includes a drink.

The studio accommodates private bookings for up to 60 people, making it popular for hen parties, team events, and birthdays; hen and stag parties are BYOB. With a 5/5 rating across 127 Google reviews, visitors frequently mention the supportive team, including Liam, Hazel, and Wade, and the relaxed environment. The studio is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, and weekends from 09:30 to 17:00 (closed Tuesdays). Booking ahead is recommended as sessions often fill up quickly.