Wheel throwing is a pottery-making method in which clay is formed by hand on a horizontally rotating wheel, known as the potter’s wheel. When proficient it’s a fast making method ideal for tableware and utilitarian ceramics production, but can easily be adapted for more artistic creations. It’s fun to learn and can be a great way to get focused and develop your fine motor skills in our ever digitising world.

Throwing comes from the Old English word ‘thrawan’, which means to twist or turn.

With good tuition and a high level of concentration someone can throw a pot on the wheel their very first time. To progress onto independent learning taking a series of classes is recommended. These can last anywhere from 12 weekly classes to a year of them. Mastering the craft can take anywhere from 2-10 years of practice varying from person to person depending on their goals, practice intensity, and individual differences in skill acquisition. Read more on how long it takes to learn pottery.

Our Pottery Throwing workshops are a great experience for any adults looking for creative things to do in Manchester. It is suitable for individuals to come on their own as a solo activity, as it’s easy to meet new people there. It’s also great in couples or groups, and can be an excellent corporate team building activity, birthday idea, creative couples date or hen do activity. The pottery throwing workshops are a perfect experience gift such as a birthday gift, anniversary gift, gift for her, or gift for mum as well. Do get in touch if you want to book a private throwing class for a group.

 We list our throwing classes 2-3 months in advance. If they’re sold out, then they are removed from this page, so sign up to our mailing list for notification of when they’re next available to book. We also teach pottery throwing along with hand-building in all our 6 week pottery courses, which then lead onto our long-term regular classes.

After the pottery throwing taster class we need to wait for the pots to dry, twice fire them, and clear glaze them, which can take anywhere between 3-6 weeks.  In our 2 day wheel throwing workshop you’ll also learn to turn your pots in the second day as well. We’ll email you when they’re ready to collect, then you can come down and collect them anytime we’re in the pottery studio. With both our pottery throwing workshops you also have the option of booking an additional session to come glaze them yourself in our own ceramics studio made glazes.

Be ready to get a little messy. Bring an open mind, some positive energy, have shorts nails and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty (aprons provided). For our 2-day intensive throwing workshops you’ll also need to bring a packed lunch, and it’s a good idea to bring your own hand-towel.