Things To Do in Shoreditch (Pottery Edition)
Bestie. We need to talk. Because if you’re going to Shoreditch and not doing pottery, what are we even doing? Like yes, the coffee is elite, the graffiti is cute, and the vintage shops will emotionally manipulate you into buying a £45 jacket from 2003 – but pottery? Pottery is the activity. The main character moment. The calm-in-the-chaos energy we all desperately need.
And before you say it: no, this is not a boring art class with bad lighting and silence so loud you can hear people breathing. Shoreditch pottery is fun, social, aesthetic, and honestly kind of healing. Especially when you go with your bestie and treat it like a full-on day out.
So let me break this down for you, best-friend-to-best-friend, voice-note-style. This is your ultimate guide to pottery things to do in Shoreditch, with the exact places worth knowing about, where to eat after, and why you’ll leave feeling like a calmer, cooler version of yourself.
Why Pottery in Shoreditch Just Hits Different
Shoreditch is already artsy without trying. Everyone’s doing something creative – painting, designing, freelancing from cafés pretending it’s not stressful. Pottery just fits here. It’s hands-on, slow, a little bit messy, and very grounding.
Also, let’s be honest: we are tired. Tired of screens, tired of notifications, tired of constantly feeling like we should be doing more. Pottery forces you to stop. You literally cannot rush clay. If you try, it will humble you immediately.
And that’s kind of beautiful.
Art Play London: The Pottery Girl of Shoreditch
Let’s start with the main character venue: Art Play London. If you’ve seen cute pottery content on your feed with cosy lighting, soft colours, and people laughing while making slightly wonky mugs – it was probably here.
Important thing to know (and this matters): Art Play London only does hand-building pottery. No wheels. No spinning chaos. Just you, a table, clay, and vibes.
What Is Hand-Building (And Why It’s Actually Elite)
Hand-building means you shape the clay with your hands using techniques like slab building and coiling. Basically: you’re in control. No fighting a wheel. No dramatic collapses. Just slow, intentional creating.
This is PERFECT if:
You’re a beginner
You like things neat-ish
You want something usable at the end
You don’t want stress, just fun
At Art Play London, you can make mugs, bowls, candle holders, trinket dishes, incense holders – all the cute, practical things you’ll actually use at home. And the instructors are genuinely lovely. They guide you without hovering, which is exactly the energy we want.
The studio itself is such a vibe too. Bright, welcoming, not intimidating at all. You can chat, laugh, ask questions, and fully enjoy the process without feeling like you’re doing something wrong.
Honestly? It’s giving wholesome Shoreditch energy.
Pottery Venues in and Around Shoreditch Worth Knowing About
Okay, so while Art Play London is the hand-building girl, there are a couple of other pottery spots nearby that are also worth having on your radar depending on the vibe you want.
Turning Earth (Hoxton)
Turning Earth is for when you want to feel a bit more like an “artsy London girl”. It’s calm, considered, and very craft-focused. They offer both wheel throwing and hand-building, and it’s great if you’re curious about pottery as a longer-term hobby.
It’s slightly more serious than Art Play London, but still welcoming. Think: quiet focus, soft conversations, and that feeling of being in a proper ceramics studio.
Token Studio (East London)
Token Studio is another solid option if you’re looking to try pottery in a relaxed but creative space. Their sessions are friendly and beginner-accessible, and it’s a nice choice if you want something less buzzy and more low-key.
This one’s good if you want to really switch off and focus, either solo or with one close friend.
So yes – options. But for a fun, social, first-time pottery day in Shoreditch? Art Play London still reigns supreme.
Making It a Full Shoreditch Day (Because Obviously)
Pottery on its own is great. Pottery as part of a perfectly planned Shoreditch day? Elite behaviour. Let me map this out for you.
Stop One: Spitalfields Market
Before pottery, you have to wander through Spitalfields Market. It’s one of those places that feels busy but exciting, like something’s always happening.
Browse the stalls. Look at jewellery you don’t need. Pretend you’re going to buy art prints for your flat. It’s all part of the experience.
This is also a great place to mentally warm up for pottery. You’re already in creative mode. Your brain is open. You’re inspired.
Stop Two: Pottery at Art Play London
Now for the main event. You walk in. You sit down. You touch the clay. And suddenly nothing else matters.
You’ll start by planning something sensible – “I’ll just make a simple mug” – and then halfway through you’re like “what if I add a handle… and a little texture… and maybe a wavy edge?”
Time moves differently during pottery. An hour feels like ten minutes. You talk about life without even realising it. It’s genuinely one of the best activities for catching up with a bestie.
And don’t worry if your piece isn’t perfect. Literally no one’s is. That’s the charm.
Stop Three: Humble Crumble (Mandatory)
After pottery, you deserve a treat. And not just any treat – Humble Crumble.
Warm crumble. Custard. Soft serve. Comfort in a bowl. It’s non-negotiable.
This is where you sit down, relax, and immediately start saying things like “wait… why was pottery kind of life-changing?” while spooning custard like it’s therapy (because it is).
Humble Crumble after pottery just makes sense. You’ve earned it emotionally.
What to Wear to a Pottery Day (Important Info)
Let’s talk outfits because I know you’re planning it already.
Rule number one: do not wear white. Clay does not care about your aesthetic.
Go for:
Comfy jeans you don’t mind getting messy
A top that’s cute but not precious
Layers (studios can be warm)
Hair tied back is essential unless you want ceramic fringe. Jewellery off. Nails are fine, but just know you’ll be tested.
Basically: effortless Shoreditch cool, but practical.
Is Pottery Actually Worth the Money?
Yes. And here’s why.
You’re not just paying for an hour of doing something. You’re paying for:
A break from your phone
A calming, creative experience
A physical object you made yourself
A memory that actually sticks
In a world where we spend money on things we forget about immediately, pottery gives you something real. Every time you use your mug or see your little dish, you’ll remember the day.
Pottery as a Bestie Date
Pottery is honestly one of the best friendship activities ever invented.
You’re side-by-side, chatting naturally, helping each other, laughing when things go wrong. There’s no pressure to constantly talk because your hands are busy, but the conversation flows anyway.
It’s cosy. It’s intimate without being intense. It’s perfect.
Pottery Solo Dates (Yes, They’re a Thing)
If you’re in your solo era, pottery is such a good solo date. No awkwardness. No weird energy. Everyone’s focused on their own clay situation.
You can be quiet. You can think. You can just exist for a bit without performing.
Highly recommend.
Letting Go of Perfection (The Secret Lesson)
Your pottery might be wonky. The glaze might surprise you. The edges might not be even.
And that’s okay.
Pottery teaches you that things don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful or useful. A slightly crooked mug still holds tea. A handmade bowl still holds jewellery.
There’s something really comforting about that.
Final Thoughts, Bestie
If you’re looking for things to do in Shoreditch that feel different, grounding, and genuinely enjoyable, pottery is the answer.
Art Play London’s hand-building pottery sessions are the perfect place to start. Pair it with a wander through Spitalfields Market and a post-pottery Humble Crumble, and you’ve got yourself a 10/10 London day.
So book the class. Wear the comfy jeans. Make the wonky mug.
And then text me like: “Why was pottery actually so good?”
Because yeah. It really was.
