The Shire Workshops
The Shire Workshops
Opening hours
- Sunday
- Closed
- Monday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Tuesday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Friday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 21:15
The Shire Workshops (Pottery & Sculpture), Unit A Farm Buisness Units Rushton Road
Dallacre LE16 8FE
Dallacre LE16 8FE
Our Booking PolicyPlease read our Terms and Conditions before booking.
https://theshireworkshops.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/
https://theshireworkshops.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/
Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking.
https://theshireworkshops.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/
Private Booking
Ideal for those who are comfortable using pottery wheels independently. We don’t provide hands-on tuition but are happy to offer guidance if needed.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will try our best to accommodate it, but the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will try our best to accommodate it, but the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
Ideal for those who are comfortable using bench space independently.
You may use the bench space for hand-built pottery and/or sculpture. We don’t provide hands-on tuition but are happy to offer guidance if needed.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will try our best to accommodate it, but the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
You may use the bench space for hand-built pottery and/or sculpture. We don’t provide hands-on tuition but are happy to offer guidance if needed.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will try our best to accommodate it, but the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
We offer private lessons in pottery wheel throwing, as well as hand-building projects and sculpture-making. The maximum capacity is five people at a time. Private lessons are available in one-hour time blocks, and the price is per person.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
We offer private lessons in pottery wheel throwing, as well as hand-building projects and sculpture-making. The maximum capacity is five people at a time. Private lessons are available in one-hour time blocks, and the price is £20 per person.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
* We offer private lessons in pottery wheel throwing, as well as hand-building projects and sculpture-making. The maximum capacity is five people at a time. Private lessons are available in one-hour time blocks, and the price is £15 per person.
Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
We offer private lessons in pottery wheel throwing, as well as hand-building projects and sculpture-making. The maximum capacity is five people at a time. Private lessons are available in one-hour time blocks, and the price is £15 per person.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
We offer private lessons in pottery wheel throwing, as well as hand-building projects and sculpture-making. The maximum capacity is five people at a time. Private lessons are available in one-hour time blocks, and the price is £15 per person.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
* Please note that your selected online booking date will be considered a request. We will do our best to accommodate it; however, the class may be rescheduled to a mutually agreed date if necessary.
Workshop
This 2-hour × 8-week course is beginner-friendly and suited to all ages, while also catering to more experienced potters. Some participants come for the social connection, while others fully immerse themselves in the creative process. Join us in whatever way suits you best!
Choose your preferred start day and time, and your workshop will run at the same time each week for eight weeks. Each slot is taught by a different teacher — learn more about them here! For those who wish to continue, subsequent courses cost £160, plus firing/material fees for any pieces you choose to keep, calculated by size.
During this course, you can learn:
- How to throw pots on the pottery wheel
- How to hand-build pots using clay slabs and coils
- Decorating techniques and glazing
The course structure is very flexible. We usually take new people through the basic techniques, but if you want to spend all 8 weeks playing on the wheel, or hand-building at the bench, you're more than welcome to! We're here to support you in whatever you'd like to do.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
- Materials and firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size. An average spend for finished items for your first course might be typically £50. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
Choose your preferred start day and time, and your workshop will run at the same time each week for eight weeks. Each slot is taught by a different teacher — learn more about them here! For those who wish to continue, subsequent courses cost £160, plus firing/material fees for any pieces you choose to keep, calculated by size.
During this course, you can learn:
- How to throw pots on the pottery wheel
- How to hand-build pots using clay slabs and coils
- Decorating techniques and glazing
The course structure is very flexible. We usually take new people through the basic techniques, but if you want to spend all 8 weeks playing on the wheel, or hand-building at the bench, you're more than welcome to! We're here to support you in whatever you'd like to do.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
- Materials and firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size. An average spend for finished items for your first course might be typically £50. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
In this 2-hour × 8-week Sculpture Course, we use ceramic clay to create a variety of sculptures. Our popular Animal Sculpture course has received great feedback, so we’ve increased the number of classes! Many participants take home a “forever” animal friend at the end of the course.
During this course, you will learn;
- How to build an armature for sculpting onto
- Modelling: Shaping clay using your fingers and thumbs and other tools to create your forms.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into coils and layering them to build structure and height.
- Slab Building : Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut, shape, and assemble sculptural forms.
- Joining & Detailing: Learning how to securely attach pieces and adding texture and fine details to bring sculptures to life.
- Finishing and glazing
Join us in our small-group sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Our patient and friendly teacher ensures everyone feels comfortable and encouraged. From simple forms to expressive pieces, you’ll develop your skills each week.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
+ Materials such as clay and glaze
+ Firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size and weight. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
During this course, you will learn;
- How to build an armature for sculpting onto
- Modelling: Shaping clay using your fingers and thumbs and other tools to create your forms.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into coils and layering them to build structure and height.
- Slab Building : Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut, shape, and assemble sculptural forms.
- Joining & Detailing: Learning how to securely attach pieces and adding texture and fine details to bring sculptures to life.
- Finishing and glazing
Join us in our small-group sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Our patient and friendly teacher ensures everyone feels comfortable and encouraged. From simple forms to expressive pieces, you’ll develop your skills each week.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
+ Materials such as clay and glaze
+ Firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size and weight. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
This 2-hour × 8-week course is beginner-friendly and suited to all ages, while also catering to more experienced potters. Some participants come for the social connection, while others fully immerse themselves in the creative process. Join us in whatever way suits you best!
Choose your preferred start day and time, and your workshop will run at the same time each week for eight weeks. Each slot is taught by a different teacher — learn more about them here! For those who wish to continue, subsequent courses cost £160, plus firing/material fees for any pieces you choose to keep, calculated by size.
During this course, you can learn:
- How to throw pots on the pottery wheel
- How to hand-build pots using clay slabs and coils
- Decorating techniques and glazing
The course structure is very flexible. We usually take new people through the basic techniques, but if you want to spend all 8 weeks playing on the wheel, or hand-building at the bench, you're more than welcome to! We're here to support you in whatever you'd like to do.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
- Materials and firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size. An average spend for finished items for your first course might be typically £50. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
Choose your preferred start day and time, and your workshop will run at the same time each week for eight weeks. Each slot is taught by a different teacher — learn more about them here! For those who wish to continue, subsequent courses cost £160, plus firing/material fees for any pieces you choose to keep, calculated by size.
During this course, you can learn:
- How to throw pots on the pottery wheel
- How to hand-build pots using clay slabs and coils
- Decorating techniques and glazing
The course structure is very flexible. We usually take new people through the basic techniques, but if you want to spend all 8 weeks playing on the wheel, or hand-building at the bench, you're more than welcome to! We're here to support you in whatever you'd like to do.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
- Materials and firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size. An average spend for finished items for your first course might be typically £50. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
In this 2-hour × 8-week Sculpture Course, we use ceramic clay to create a variety of sculptures. Our popular Animal Sculpture course has received great feedback, so we’ve increased the number of classes! Many participants take home a “forever” animal friend at the end of the course.
During this course, you will learn;
- How to build an armature for sculpting onto
- Modelling: Shaping clay using your fingers and thumbs and other tools to create your forms.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into coils and layering them to build structure and height.
- Slab Building : Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut, shape, and assemble sculptural forms.
- Joining & Detailing: Learning how to securely attach pieces and adding texture and fine details to bring sculptures to life.
- Finishing and glazing
Join us in our small-group sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Our patient and friendly teacher ensures everyone feels comfortable and encouraged. From simple forms to expressive pieces, you’ll develop your skills each week.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
+ Materials such as clay and glaze
+ Firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size and weight. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
During this course, you will learn;
- How to build an armature for sculpting onto
- Modelling: Shaping clay using your fingers and thumbs and other tools to create your forms.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into coils and layering them to build structure and height.
- Slab Building : Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut, shape, and assemble sculptural forms.
- Joining & Detailing: Learning how to securely attach pieces and adding texture and fine details to bring sculptures to life.
- Finishing and glazing
Join us in our small-group sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Our patient and friendly teacher ensures everyone feels comfortable and encouraged. From simple forms to expressive pieces, you’ll develop your skills each week.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
+ Materials such as clay and glaze
+ Firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size and weight. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
Join this 1-day workshop (10am–4pm) on selected Sundays and experience the magic of Raku glaze firing. Originating in 16th-century Japan, Raku combines earth, fire, air and water for fast, dramatic results. Pots are glazed with special oxides, removed red-hot from the kiln, and cooled rapidly, creating beautiful, unpredictable colours and effects.
During this class you will:
* Decorate three pots using different Raku techniques – Glazed, Saggar and Naked Raku (bring your own pre-made pots or purchase blanks)
* Learn the full Raku firing process
* Complete three firings, including reduction with combustible materials, rapid cooling, and cleaning
◇ Glazed Raku
Select from a range of Raku glazes. Red-hot pots are placed in sawdust and sealed, then optionally cooled in water to enhance crackle effects and metallic finishes.
◇ Saggar Firing
A no-glaze method using natural materials and chemicals. Pots are wrapped in foil (“saggar”) and fired to produce rich, unpredictable colours and patterns. Burnished or unburnished pots both work well.
◇ Naked Raku
Pots are removed from the kiln at around 700°C and materials such as horsehair, feathers or sugar are burned onto the surface, creating fine black silhouette patterns on white clay.
During this class you will:
* Decorate three pots using different Raku techniques – Glazed, Saggar and Naked Raku (bring your own pre-made pots or purchase blanks)
* Learn the full Raku firing process
* Complete three firings, including reduction with combustible materials, rapid cooling, and cleaning
◇ Glazed Raku
Select from a range of Raku glazes. Red-hot pots are placed in sawdust and sealed, then optionally cooled in water to enhance crackle effects and metallic finishes.
◇ Saggar Firing
A no-glaze method using natural materials and chemicals. Pots are wrapped in foil (“saggar”) and fired to produce rich, unpredictable colours and patterns. Burnished or unburnished pots both work well.
◇ Naked Raku
Pots are removed from the kiln at around 700°C and materials such as horsehair, feathers or sugar are burned onto the surface, creating fine black silhouette patterns on white clay.
In this 2-hour × 8-week Sculpture Course, we use ceramic clay to create a variety of sculptures. Our popular Animal Sculpture course has received great feedback, so we’ve increased the number of classes! Many participants take home a “forever” animal friend at the end of the course.
During this course, you will learn;
- How to build an armature for sculpting onto
- Modelling: Shaping clay using your fingers and thumbs and other tools to create your forms.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into coils and layering them to build structure and height.
- Slab Building : Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut, shape, and assemble sculptural forms.
- Joining & Detailing: Learning how to securely attach pieces and adding texture and fine details to bring sculptures to life.
- Finishing and glazing
Join us in our small-group sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Our patient and friendly teacher ensures everyone feels comfortable and encouraged. From simple forms to expressive pieces, you’ll develop your skills each week.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
+ Materials such as clay and glaze
+ Firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size and weight. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
During this course, you will learn;
- How to build an armature for sculpting onto
- Modelling: Shaping clay using your fingers and thumbs and other tools to create your forms.
- Coiling: Rolling clay into coils and layering them to build structure and height.
- Slab Building : Rolling out flat sheets of clay to cut, shape, and assemble sculptural forms.
- Joining & Detailing: Learning how to securely attach pieces and adding texture and fine details to bring sculptures to life.
- Finishing and glazing
Join us in our small-group sessions in a relaxed, supportive environment. Our patient and friendly teacher ensures everyone feels comfortable and encouraged. From simple forms to expressive pieces, you’ll develop your skills each week.
▶Course Fees
£200/8weeks for your first course and £160/8weeks for subsequent courses, plus following costs.
+ Materials such as clay and glaze
+ Firing costs for any pieces you choose to have fired, calculated by size and weight. Feel free to practice your skills — you don’t have to fire everything you make!
*If you don’t see any available future dates, it means booking for that course isn’t open yet.
Join this 1-day workshop (10am–4pm) on selected Sundays and experience the magic of Raku glaze firing. Originating in 16th-century Japan, Raku combines earth, fire, air and water for fast, dramatic results. Pots are glazed with special oxides, removed red-hot from the kiln, and cooled rapidly, creating beautiful, unpredictable colours and effects.
During this class you will:
* Decorate three pots using different Raku techniques – Glazed, Saggar and Naked Raku (bring your own pre-made pots or purchase blanks)
* Learn the full Raku firing process
* Complete three firings, including reduction with combustible materials, rapid cooling, and cleaning
◇ Glazed Raku
Select from a range of Raku glazes. Red-hot pots are placed in sawdust and sealed, then optionally cooled in water to enhance crackle effects and metallic finishes.
◇ Saggar Firing
A no-glaze method using natural materials and chemicals. Pots are wrapped in foil (“saggar”) and fired to produce rich, unpredictable colours and patterns. Burnished or unburnished pots both work well.
◇ Naked Raku
Pots are removed from the kiln at around 700°C and materials such as horsehair, feathers or sugar are burned onto the surface, creating fine black silhouette patterns on white clay.
During this class you will:
* Decorate three pots using different Raku techniques – Glazed, Saggar and Naked Raku (bring your own pre-made pots or purchase blanks)
* Learn the full Raku firing process
* Complete three firings, including reduction with combustible materials, rapid cooling, and cleaning
◇ Glazed Raku
Select from a range of Raku glazes. Red-hot pots are placed in sawdust and sealed, then optionally cooled in water to enhance crackle effects and metallic finishes.
◇ Saggar Firing
A no-glaze method using natural materials and chemicals. Pots are wrapped in foil (“saggar”) and fired to produce rich, unpredictable colours and patterns. Burnished or unburnished pots both work well.
◇ Naked Raku
Pots are removed from the kiln at around 700°C and materials such as horsehair, feathers or sugar are burned onto the surface, creating fine black silhouette patterns on white clay.
About
Pottery and sculpture workshop located on the border of Northamptonshire/Leicestershire. An oasis of creativity. No experience required!
https://linktr.ee/theshireworkshops
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Reviews
, Highest rated
- Lisa Howkins··from Google
Fantastic day learning all about Raku firing, really interesting and fun, we would definitely do it again!
- Kerry Weisselberg··from Google
Always a lovely welcoming atmosphere, very friendly and positive, if you have an ounce of creativity in you they will encourage it. Both the one day courses and the longer courses are great fun. Recommended!
- Lis Riley··from Google
We spent the day scultpting with the incredible medium of Pal Tiya. Yes, you can make a dragon in a day. Excellent tuition. Really good value for money. I'd highly recommend the studio.
- Jill Tisbury··from Google
Took 2 sculpture workshops last Winter with Helen. Absolutely fantastic & would highly recommend. I think this is my new Winter pass time 🎉
- Yolandi Van Heerden··from Google
Fantastic Raku experience. Highly recommend!
- Angela Parker··from Google
2 of the most delightful men ever, are in charge of this studio, and they are both super talented, very patient and they look after a wonderful feral cat who visits daily. It's SUCH a fabulous place to do a course. Don't think twice.
Opening hours
- Sunday
- Closed
- Monday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Tuesday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Friday
- 10:00 - 21:15
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 21:15