Frequently Asked Questions

Courses and Drop-in FAQs

  • At The Mud House, we offer a wide range of pottery classes, including hand-building, wheel throwing, and themed workshops. Classes are suitable for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced potters.

  • To ensure personalized attention and guidance, our classes are kept small, typically ranging from 8-10 participants.

  • No prior experience is necessary! Our classes are designed for all skill levels, and our experienced instructors will provide support and guidance throughout your pottery journey.

  • Please wear comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. An apron is also recommended to protect your clothes from clay and glaze. Please keep your nails short- I mean really short :)

  • You can sign up for classes through our website. Simply visit the "Classes" section, select the class you’re interested in, and follow the registration process. Spots fill up quickly, so it’s best to book in advance!

  • Yes, the 20mins minutes of your session include guided cleaning of your wheel. Our team handles the specialist deep clean afterwards.

  • Yes! Once your pottery pieces are completed, they will be fired in our kiln. You will be notified when they are ready for pickup, typically within 5-7 weeks.

  • All necessary expert tuition, materials, including clay, tools, and equipment, are provided for your class. You’ll also have access to our studio facilities during your scheduled session.

Booking FAQs

  • Course Refund Policy
    Courses must be booked and paid in full. Due to limited space, we unfortunately cannot offer full refunds for cancellations. However, we understand that life happens! Our refund policy is as follows:

    • A 10% admin fee applies to all cancellations.

    • Cancel up to 3 weeks before the class for an 80% refund.

    • Cancel 2 weeks before the class for a 40% refund.

    • Cancellations after this period will not be refunded.

    • You may transfer your booking to another name but cannot transfer to a different class.

    • If the tutor is unable to run a particular session, a catch-up session will be arranged.

    • Should the course be cancelled by the tutor, a full refund will be provided.

  • Drop-in Refund/cancellation Policy

    • The course must be booked and paid in full at the time of reservation.

    • All sessions are non-refundable.

    • If the tutor is unable to conduct the course for any reason, a full refund will be issued.

    • Attendance and Rescheduling:

      • Missing a scheduled session on the day of the workshop is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.

      • We require at least 5 days' notice to reschedule & fill your spots. We have small class sizes and value each spot so the more notice the better! If you need to reschduel you can do so through your original order confirmation- otherwise email us at hello@themudhouse.co.uk

  • Yes! If you miss a session on your course, we can arrange a catch-up during our open studio hours (this is dependant on the type of course you are attending) Please email hello@themudhouse.co.uk

    To make the most of your catch-up session, we recommend coming in at least two days before your next scheduled class. This will allow your pots to reach the leather-hard stage, which is essential for your following session.

    Please note that the catch-up session is not a taught session. However, a technician will be available to assist with any questions you may have.

    What to Do When You Arrive:

    1. Notify the Technician: On arrival, please inform the technician on duty that you are currently enrolled in a course. They can provide you with a brief orientation on where to clean and other important studio protocols.

    2. Clean Your Workspace: Before you leave, you must clean your workspace. The technician will need to sign off on your tools and area to ensure cleanliness.

    3. Label Your Work: It’s your responsibility to label your work with your name and course code. Additionally, inform the technician once your work is complete. This helps us track your progress and ensures your pieces are ready for your next session.

    Open Studio Session Booking: You can sign up for an open studio session for £12 per hour using the following link: Sign Up for a Single Hour
    For more frequent use, consider our package of 10 hours for £100; keep the confirmation email to book future wheel sessions: Book 10 Hours

    Reclaimed clay is included in these sessions for students enrolled in courses.

    If you choose to book an open studio session, please make the technician aware that you are in for a catch-up. They will direct you to the necessary tools, reclaim clay, and guide you on how to label and store your work.

  • Absolutely! We offer private pottery parties and team-building events for groups. These can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Please contact us for more information and to arrange a booking.

  • For any additional questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out to us via email at

    hello@themudhouse.co.uk

Firing & Pot Pick up FAQs

  • After drying, trimming, firing twice & glazing (36hrs each up to 1240deg!) Usually 5–6 weeks, depending on drying times, firing schedules, and studio workload. We’ll email you when your pots are ready!


  • At The Mud House, we understand that you may want to receive your finished pottery pieces without needing to visit the studio for pickup. We offer shipping services for completed items at an additional cost.

    Shipping Details:

    • Cost: The cost of shipping will vary depending on the weight and dimensions of your items, as well as your location. Once your pottery is ready for pickup, we will provide you with a shipping quote.

    • Packaging: We take great care to package your items securely to ensure they arrive in perfect condition, utilizing recyclable materials whenever possible.

    • Delivery Time: Once your item has been shipped, delivery times can vary. Please allow 5-7 business days for domestic shipping. International shipping times may take longer depending on the destination and customs processes.

    If you would like to arrange shipping for your finished pottery, please let us know when you are notified that your items are ready for collection, and we will assist you with the details! Email us at hello@themudhouse.co.uk

  • Ceramics studios worldwide follow strict cleaning procedures because dry clay dust contains silica, which can become a health hazard if not managed properly.

    To keep the studio safe for our members, staff, and guests, everyone cleans the wheel they have used at the end of the session. Don’t worry —our team will guide you. We handle all deeper cleaning afterwards.

    We appreciate your help in keeping the studio a healthy, welcoming environment for our community.

  • All necessary materials, including clay, tools, and equipment, are provided for your class. You’ll also have access to our studio facilities during your scheduled session.


  • Absolutely! We offer private pottery parties and team-building events for groups. These can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Please contact us for more information and to arrange a booking.

  • Drop-in Refund/cancellation Policy

    • The course must be booked and paid in full at the time of reservation.

    • All sessions are non-refundable.

    • If the tutor is unable to conduct the course for any reason, a full refund will be issued.

    • Attendance and Rescheduling:

      • Missing a scheduled session on the day of the workshop is non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled.

      • We require at least 5 days' notice to reschedule & fill your spots. We have small class sizes and value each spot so the more notice the better! If you need to reschduel you can do so through your original order confirmation- otherwise email us at hello@themudhouse.co.uk

    Course Refund Policy
    Courses must be booked and paid in full. Due to limited space, we unfortunately cannot offer full refunds for cancellations. However, we understand that life happens! Our refund policy is as follows:

    • A 10% admin fee applies to all cancellations.

    • Cancel up to 3 weeks before the class for an 80% refund.

    • Cancel 2 weeks before the class for a 40% refund.

    • Cancellations after this period will not be refunded.

    • You may transfer your booking to another name but cannot transfer to a different class.

    • If the tutor is unable to run a particular session, a catch-up session will be arranged.

    • Should the course be cancelled by the tutor, a full refund will be provided.

  • For any additional questions or inquiries, feel free to reach out to us via email at

    hello@themudhouse.co.uk

General Pottery FAQs

  • Pottery is a beautiful, hands-on craft — but it’s also a technically complex process with significant behind-the-scenes work. We want to be transparent about what goes into each session so you understand the value of the experience.

    The True Costs Behind a Single Pot

    • Two kiln firings
    Each pot goes through a bisque firing and a glaze firing. Each firing lasts around 24–36 hours, uses extremely high electricity, and requires careful monitoring by our technicians.

    • Specialist teaching staff
    Your class is taught by trained ceramic artists and craftspeople who bring years of experience and ensure you learn proper technique in a safe, supported environment.

    • Materials & equipment
    High-quality clay, glazes, tools, wheels, and equipment maintenance are essential to running a safe, professional studio.

    • Post-class processing
    After your session, our team:
    – trims and prepares your work
    – dries each piece slowly
    – bisque-fires it
    – glazes it
    – glaze-fires it
    – packs and labels everything
    This process takes several weeks and significant technician time.

    • Studio overheads
    Rent, insurance, specialist ventilation systems, equipment repairs, VAT, staffing, and daily studio upkeep all contribute to the cost of running a ceramics space.

  • Pottery requires high electricity for two kiln firings, professional teaching staff, materials, studio overheads, and several hours of post-class processing for each participant’s work. These factors make ceramics more costly to run than activities like painting or craft workshops.

  • Becoming a member of The Mud House is a fantastic way to gain access to our studio facilities and continue your pottery practice independently!

    Membership Requirements:
    To apply for a membership, you must have completed a pottery course at The Mud House or another recognised pottery studio. This ensures that all members have the necessary skills and knowledge to work independently in the studio.

  • At The Mud House, we strive to create an inclusive environment for all pottery enthusiasts. However, we want to inform you that our studio has limited accessibility options.

    Accessibility Information:

    • Studio Location: Our studio is located on the upper floors, and unfortunately, we do not currently have wheelchair access.

    • Restroom Facilities: We have a restroom located on the basement floor, which is not accessible via wheelchair.

    We understand that this may be a limitation for some individuals, and we are actively looking into ways to improve accessibility in the future. If you have any specific needs or inquiries, please feel free to contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate you.