Welcome to The CLay Mill Pottery Studio

A creative space for pottery lovers of all skill levels, nestled in the
heart of Slaithwaite in the Colne Valley.
Welcome to The Clay Mill!

DIscover, Learn, Create!

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The Clay Mill is a friendly, welcoming pottery studio in Slaithwaite, near Huddersfield, dedicated to teaching ceramics and sharing the joy of working with clay. Since 2018, we’ve been inspiring potters of all ages and skill levels, building a thriving creative community right here in the Colne Valley.

Who can join?

Everyone is welcome at The Clay Mill

Whether you're a total beginner or an experienced potter, our classes are open to adults of all skill levels. Our expert tutors provide supportive, personalised guidance to help you grow in confidence and technique.

Our adult classes are a great way to relax, get creative, and enjoy a peaceful break from daily life, but for younger creatives we also offer:

  • Young Potter’s Club for children and teens
  • Community workshops
  • School holiday programmes

What to expect at The Clay Mill

When you join us, you can expect:

  • A relaxed, friendly studio atmosphere
  • Experienced tutors with a passion for pottery and teaching
  • A creative space where you can learn, experiment, and enjoy
  • A growing community of pottery lovers

We’re now in a spacious and accessible, ground-floor studio at Britannia Mills - find us continuing to grow our community just across the yard from our old space.

If you have any questions or want to visit us, send us a message or pop in during our open hours. You might even catch a glimpse of our talented potters at work!

Learn More About Us

What we offer

Pottery Tasters, Courses, Skill-building, Membership & more!

Pottery Tasters

Try pottery without any pressure!

Perfect for beginners, our one-off taster sessions let you try your hand at wheel throwing or mindful hand-building. Make something special to keep or gift. It’s a relaxed, no-commitment way to see if pottery is for you.

Great for: first-timers, gifts, mindful experiences

Browse Tasters

Pottery Courses

Learn pottery in a structured way

Our short courses (usually 5-7 weeks) are ideal for beginners and improvers. Taught during school terms, classes run on evenings, weekends and daytime slots. Want early access? Join our waiting list to hear when new places go live.

Great for: Beginners to intermediate potters

Browse Courses

Skills Building

Dive deeper into pottery techniques!

Our one-off workshops focus on specialist pottery skills - advanced throwing, hand-building, decorating, glaze mixing, kiln loading, and studio setup. Check course descriptions for the skill level required.

Great for: learning new techniques, topping up your skills

Browse Sessions

Skills Building

Dive deeper into pottery techniques!

Our one-off workshops focus on specialist pottery skills - advanced throwing, hand-building, decorating, glaze mixing, kiln loading, and studio setup. Check course descriptions for the skill level required.

Great for: learning new techniques, topping up your skills

Browse Sessions

Private Bookings

Celebrate or team-build with clay.

We host pottery sessions for birthdays, hen parties, work events, and more.
Our riverside studio can host larger groups and we’re near great food, drink and nature walks. Sessions last 1.5 hours, or we can create something bespoke.

Great for: celebrations, team days, creative gatherings

Enquire now

Private Bookings

Celebrate or team-build with clay.

We host pottery sessions for birthdays, hen parties, work events, and more.
Our riverside studio can host larger groups and we’re near great food, drink and nature walks. Sessions last 1.5 hours, or we can create something bespoke.

Great for: celebrations, team days, creative gatherings

Enquire now

One to One Lessons

Personalised pottery tuition.

Private lessons tailored to suit artists, adult learners, home educators, or anyone needing a quieter, more sensory-friendly space. We offer a social story and welcome video to help you or your child feel comfortable before arriving.

Great for: bespoke learning, SEN-friendly sessions, professional development

Enquire Now

Community & Outreach

Taking clay beyond the studio.

With over 30 years in community arts, we bring pottery to schools, youth groups, libraries, and public art projects. Sessions are built around what matters to you - creative learning, confidence building, or community themes.

Great for: schools, creative projects, community partnerships

Learn More

Membership

For those looking to deepen their pottery skills!

Members enjoy open studio time with technical support available. It’s perfect for developing your own work after a course. Our Guided Membership option helps you transition to self-directed pottery practice at your own pace.

Great for: developing your practice, independent makers, serious hobbyists

More Details

What People Think

Here’s what our students and visitors are saying in their Google Reviews about The Clay Mill. We’re proud of our friendly, inclusive studio – and it means a lot to see how much it matters to the people who join us.
Posted on Google Google
Caroline j profile picture
Caroline j
8 June 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Took our daughter to a pottery session organised by Shabang and was delighted to find they had a potters wheel specially suitable for wheelchairs that she could use . She thoroughly enjoyed herself and was so lovely that she could try a new skill , thanks xxx
Posted on Google Google
Rosalind A profile picture
Rosalind A
11 May 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Before the week completely escapes me I just wanted to thank Kirstie and The Claymill and everyone for bringing the Makerspace workshops to The Arcade Pop Up. Big thanks to Ammie and Ben and Becky and Jenny for organising what was a really lovely workshop, everyone I have spoken to really enjoyed it and it even pulled in a couple from Kettlethorpe! I can’t wait to see the final display in the new library. I hope this is the start of many collaborations in the future, we would love to see more clay workshops from the Claymill in Dewsbury. Thanks again for making it happen. Rosalind Arden Board Director The Arcade Group Ltd, Dewsbury The Arcade Pop Up
Posted on Google Google
Hannah W profile picture
Hannah W
11 May 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We came here for a hen party to do a beginners pottery class. Ammie was amazing at teaching us and clearly loves what she does. We all felt welcome and relaxed into it straight away. Would 100% recommend this!
Posted on Google Google
Shirley H profile picture
Shirley H
21 April 2025
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The Clay Mill is a very special place …… staffed by lovely people. It’s a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone learns and develops at their own pace. I can’t praise the people who work there highly enough …….. definitely my happy place!
Posted on Google Google
Helen G profile picture
Helen G
17 April 2025
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The Clay Mill is my happy place. All my life work has been the main thing but then I discovered clay. Immediately hooked I then came across the clay mill where I go religiously every Wednesday and laugh loads with ammie and the wonderful friends I have made and slowly I am even improving. If you have ever thought of going, don’t hesitate just do it.
Posted on Google Google
Tracy A profile picture
Tracy A
16 April 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I loved it at The Clay Mill from the very first moment I stepped through the door. There is always a warm welcome, a hug in a mug, great friends and best of all: Mud! Anmie is wonderful teacher able to coach me from a hopeless beginner into a “passable” potter able to produce some lovely pieces I am truly proud of. Thanks Ammie x
Posted on Google Google
Lisa R profile picture
Lisa R
13 April 2025
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Absolutely fabulous place! I signed onto a 5 week hand building course initially just to give it a try and was instantly addicted! So much so that I never left, did a few other short hand building projects and am now about to start my on my second term of my throwing course. It’s such a great, friendly place and Ammie and Izzy are so supportive. I just love it 😊!
Posted on Google Google
Beverley P profile picture
Beverley P
12 April 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My daughter has been going here to learn how to Potter for years now! It's a wonderful hobby which has undoubtedly improved her wellbeing and creativity. Staff are amazing, and long may it continue.
Posted on Google Google
Karl F profile picture
Karl F
9 April 2025
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Cracking place (not literally), Izzy and Ammie are great tutors, knowledgeable, very supportive and provide a warm environment to be creative. Strongly recommend.
Posted on Google Google
Christine L profile picture
Christine L
9 April 2025
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
A really relaxed and friendly studio. Very supportive teachers make you welcome whatever you make. I look forward to my Wednesday afternoon class every week. Thanks to Ammie and Izzy for your support and never ending patience.