5-Week Pottery Wheel Throwing Course in London (Beginner)
The most rewarding way to learn pottery in London. Our 5-week pottery course takes complete beginners from never having touched clay to confidently throwing cylinders, bowls, and small vessels on the wheel — across five progressive weekly sessions at our studio in Alperton, NW London.
It's the course I wish I'd been able to take when I started. I'm Sampada Gurung, founder of The Slightly Curious Studio and featured on Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down. Over seven years of teaching, this course is the format that creates real progression — the difference between "I tried pottery once" and "I can actually throw on a wheel."
What you'll learn — week by week
Week 1: Centring & first cylinders. The foundation of all wheel throwing. We start with clay preparation, getting comfortable at the wheel, and the all-important centring technique. By the end of week 1, you'll throw your first cylinder.
Week 2: Pulling walls & basic forms. Building on week 1 — learning to pull thin, even walls and shape your first proper vessel. Most students throw 2–3 small pots this session.
Week 3: Bowls, cups & opening up. We move into wider forms — bowls, cups, and how to "open up" the clay correctly. You'll start to develop your own style.
Week 4: Trimming & refining. The often-overlooked but essential skill of trimming your pieces once leather-hard. This is where pottery goes from amateur to refined.
Week 5: Glazing & finishing. The final week — choosing colours, applying glazes, and learning how the kiln transforms your work. You'll finish the course with a collection of properly finished, glazed pieces.
What's included
- 5 × 2-hour sessions with hands-on tutor guidance
- All clay, tools, aprons, and equipment
- Small group sizes — maximum 6–12 students for real one-to-one attention
- Tea, coffee, and a warm, supportive studio atmosphere
- Firing and glazing of your course pieces is included (worth £30+ if charged separately)
- Lifetime alumni discount on future workshops
Where & when
Location: The Slightly Curious Studio, Studio 5 Venice House, 243 Ealing Road, Alperton, London HA0 1QL
- 4 minutes' walk from Alperton tube (Piccadilly Line)
- 10 minutes from Wembley Park
- Canal-side studio beside the Grand Union Canal — a calm, light-filled space
Sessions: 5 consecutive weekly sessions, 2 hours each. Choose your start date when booking.
Who this course is for
- Complete beginners with no prior pottery experience
- People who've tried a one-off taster and want to learn properly
- Anyone wanting a structured creative hobby, not a one-off experience
- Great Pottery Throw Down fans who want to actually throw on a wheel
- People comfortable committing to 5 consecutive weeks
If you'd prefer to try pottery once before committing to a course, our 3-hour beginner pottery workshop is the perfect taster. If you want a single focused session on the wheel, try our 2-hour wheel throwing class.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any experience?
No — the course is designed for complete beginners. We start at week 1 assuming you've never touched clay.
What if I miss a week?
Missed sessions can sometimes be made up in another running course (subject to availability). Email info@theslightlycurious.studio to arrange.
How much pottery will I take home?
Most students leave the course with 6–10 finished pieces. Firing and glazing of all your course pieces is included in the £260 fee.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you don't mind getting clay on. Aprons are provided. Tie back long hair and remove rings or bracelets. Keep nails short for wheel work.
Can I bring my own clay or tools?
No need — everything is provided. The included clay is the right type for what we're making.
What if I can't make it after booking?
Contact us as early as possible. We're a small business and can usually find a solution if you give us notice.
Trusted by 630+ five-star reviewers
Across Google, ClassBento, and Airbnb, we've helped hundreds of Londoners learn to throw. The 5-week course is consistently our most-loved offering — students come for the wheel, stay for the community.
Reserve your place now — courses run with a maximum of 6–12 students, so spaces fill quickly.
FAQ
Everything You Need to KnowNo experience is necessary. This course is beginner-friendly and taught step-by-step.
All clay, tools and equipment and firing are included, plus guided teaching each week and storage for your work between sessions
Each weekly session runs for 2 hours
Because the course builds week to week, we recommend attending all sessions. If you can’t make a date, please email us as soon as possible and we can arrange a make-up sessions.
You’ll create a small collection of wheel-thrown pieces such as mugs, bowls and small vessels. What you make can vary depending on your progress and the group’s pace.
Finished pottery is typically ready around 1-2 weeks after the final session (depending on drying and kiln schedules). We’ll email you when it’s ready to arrange collection or delivery — please check your junk folder if you don’t see our email.
We can store finished pottery for up to 2 months after we email you. After that, uncollected pieces may be recycled due to limited studio space. If you need more time, please email us and we’ll try to hold them for you.
Once glazed and fired, pieces are generally food safe. However, if a piece has cracks, it may not be suitable for food use.
All clay, tools, and equipment are provided. Wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a bit messy and keep nails reasonably short for wheel work.
Yes, there are several parking options available:
- On-site parking via Sippy location 301307
- Alperton Sainsbury’s parking available through JustPark
- Free street parking on Carlyon Road
Please allow extra time to park before the workshop begins.
Course bookings follow our studio cancellation policy: cancellations must be made in writing. Within 14 days of the start date: 100% fee, 15–28 days: 50% fee, more than 28 days: 20% admin fee. Transfers are usually possible up to 28 days before the start date (subject to availability) and can be done once .