AD | Gifted experience with Buyagift
Looking for something a bit different to do? Why not try pottery painting? Urban Clay is a lovely little studio, found in the historic market town of Aylsham, Norfolk.
Address and contact
35 Red Lion Street
Aylsham
Norfolk
NR11 6ER
01263 735463
Website: https://www.urbanclaystudio.com/
Opening times
Monday & Wednesday – Closed
Tuesday – 10am – 5pm
Thursday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday – Private Bookings
Parking
There is no direct parking at Urban Clay however, Aylsham has plenty of free parking just a short drive away.
How to book
You can book to visit Urban Clay Aylsham on their website and it’s really easy to do. You are able to choose a date and time for your visit and where possible, a specific table if you have a preference. Make sure you book for as many people are visiting, whether they are painting or not to ensure you have enough space.
What does it cost?
The great thing about Urban Clay, Aylsham is that the only cost involved is the price of the pottery. Unlike some other places, there are no studio fees. Pottery starts at £10 so there’s something for most budgets. As an example, letters cost £18 each.
How long do you get?
A booked session lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you need longer to complete your piece, you can also book a finishing-off session separately which costs £5 per person.
Time to get creative!
Although we had done pottery painting before at Centre Parcs, it had been a while. Staff at Urban Clay were so friendly and got us set up on our table as soon as we arrived. They have everything laid out ready so you don’t waste any time. At the table you’ll find:
- Set of paints
- Paintbrushes
- Pot for water
- Mixing pallets
- Colour wheel
We took some time to pick out the pieces we wanted to paint. Erin picked a gorgeous little fairy while I went for the letter E! I thought it would go well in Erin’s bedroom and maybe one day, I can add the other letters of her name. Staff explained to us how to use the paints and to make sure we used enough coats to achieve the desired colours. This is important as the colours are very different when you paint them on to the pottery initially. The colour wheel on the table lets you know what the finished colours will look like.
Before we got started we chose some accessories to use, such as masking tape, stencils and thin paint pots for details. There are loads to choose from and they can really help you to design something amazing. You can also just paint freehand if you want to!
We had so much fun painting our pieces. Erin was a little more indecisive than me, wanting to try out different things quite often. I did have to remind her a few times that we only had a set amount of time on that day. I don’t think I’m particularly creative but I was really happy with what I did. I made something for Erin and her bedroom in colours that she loves.
Refreshments
Urban Clay offer a really lovely range of drinks and cakes to enjoy while you paint. We all had a hot drink as it was a pretty cold day (the studio is warm) and the hot chocolate is absolutely delicious. If you want something a bit fancier, you can also book a crafternoon tea in advance.
How long until you get your finished pottery?
We were told on the day that our finished pieces would be ready in around a week. I was given a receipt for mine and Erin’s pieces and advised I would receive a text message when they were ready to pick up. This happened just after a week, so about the right length of time that I was expecting. Aylsham is about a 15 minute drive from us in North Walsham so we were able to pick up on a day that suited us.
Birthday parties
Erin was lucky enough to attend a birthday party at Urban Clay for one of her friends. She had such a good time and couldn’t wait to get her finished piece. Birthday parties can have sole use of the studio, seating up to 28 painters. Parents are welcome to stay and have a drink while they watch. What a fantastic way to celebrate a special occasion.
Take away packs
If you’d rather paint in the comfort of your own home, or need a bit more time, Urban Clay Aylsham also offer take away packs. You can pick one up at the studio, providing you with everything you need to create your masterpiece. All you need to do is choose your piece of pottery and return it once finished to be fired. The only cost involved with the take away pack is the price of the piece you choose.
Pottery painting at Urban Clay, Aylsham is the perfect way to spend a few hours. It’s only a short drive away from other great places in North Norfolk, such as the Norfolk Broads, Blickling Hall (National Trust) and the Bure Valley Railway. You can make a real day of it!
