Cowbridge, South Wales

Clay.Craft.Create.

Pottery courses, workshops and creative experiences in the heart of Cowbridge. All ages, all abilities, complete beginners welcome.

Coming up

What's On

From wheel-throwing tasters and one-day summer schools to children's creature workshops and festive raku evenings — there's always something on at Clay & Craft. Whether you're after a midweek escape, a weekend adventure, or something brilliant for the kids, the full programme has it all.

Browse the full programme

Something for everyone

Find your perfect class

Children
All ages from 4+Children

Creative clay sessions for children aged 4 and up — joyful, hands-on and genuinely brilliant

From first-time pinch pots to ambitious sculptures, our children's sessions are designed to spark curiosity and build real making skills. Small groups, warm and patient teaching, and a studio where it's absolutely fine to get messy. ALN and ASD-friendly sessions available — every child is welcome here.

Explore children's sessions
Dramatic clay sculpture in the Clay & Craft studio

Membership

Don't just take a class. Become a maker.

Our new Clay & Craft Memberships have been designed for makers who want more time in the studio, greater flexibility and the opportunity to develop their pottery skills at their own pace.

Whether you're just beginning your pottery journey or are looking to make more ambitious work, our memberships offer the perfect balance of guided tuition and independent studio access.

View membership optionsBook it now
Clay ghost sculpture — Halloween at Clay & Craft

Halloween 2026

Halloween at Clay & Craft

Every October the studio gets a little darker, a little stranger and a lot more fun. Our Halloween programme brings together spooky clay sessions for children, families and adults — sculpt a clay monster, throw a cauldron on the wheel, build a ghostly figure or paint something delightfully ghoulish in our Paint-a-Pot sessions. No experience needed, no age limit on imagination. These sessions sell out every year — don't wait.

See the Halloween programme

Christmas 2026

Christmas at Clay & Craft

There is no better gift than something handmade. Our Christmas programme runs throughout November and December — make your own glazed baubles, sculpt a nativity figure, throw a bowl or build a decoration that will last a lifetime. Sessions for children, families and adults, all abilities welcome. They sell out faster than any other time of year. Book early.

Handmade clay Christmas decorations — Christmas at Clay & Craft

Parties & group bookings

The messiest party in Cowbridge.

Children's parties

Children's parties

The birthday they will never stop talking about.

Clay creatures, painted pots and total creative freedom. We handle the mess, the materials and the teaching — you just bring the birthday child and their friends.

Up to 18 guests · All ages from 4 · All materials included

Plan your party

Gift vouchers

Give them something to make.

Colourful clay creatures made at Clay & Craft

Clay & Craft · Gift Voucher

Happy Birthday

Enjoy a clay experience

£50

Delivered digitally · No expiry

Not sure what to buy someone who has everything? Give them an experience they'll actually remember. A Clay & Craft gift voucher lets them choose any class, workshop or session we run — wheel throwing, handbuilding, paint-a-pot, or one of our seasonal specials.

Vouchers are delivered digitally, instantly, straight to their inbox. No expiry date. No faff. Just a genuinely brilliant gift.

Buy a gift voucher
A finished ceramic piece with rich glaze, ready to collect from Clay & Craft

Return to glaze

Your pieces are waiting.

Made something in one of our sessions? Come back to glaze it. Choose your colours, apply your glaze, and we'll fire it in the kiln — ready to collect within two weeks, finished and food-safe.

Sessions run Monday to Saturday. Reserve your seat for £2.50 per person — which covers one piece, with additional pieces at £2.50 each.

Our mission

Clay & Craft is for everyone.

Who we welcome

ALN specialist teaching
ASD aware
Sensory-friendly sessions
All ages welcome
All abilities
Small groups
Adapted methods

We believe that making things with your hands is one of the most powerful things a person can do — and that belief belongs to everyone, regardless of age, ability, background or experience. Clay & Craft was founded on the conviction that a pottery studio should be a genuinely open, welcoming and unhurried place.

That means we design our sessions to work for the full range of human experience. We offer ALN and ASD-friendly sessions, sensory-aware environments, adapted teaching methods and small group sizes that allow every maker to work at their own pace. Whether you are five years old or eighty-five, a complete beginner or a returning maker, you will find a session here that is right for you.

Meet the maker

Robin Dring

MPhil, MA, BA (Hons), PGCE

Clay & Craft is led by Robin Dring, an artist, maker and educator with a career built on the belief that creativity is a right, not a privilege. Robin holds an MPhil, a Master of Arts, a BA (Hons) and a PGCE, and brings years of specialist experience teaching learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Robin's approach is rooted in patience, observation and genuine curiosity about what each individual maker needs. Sessions are never rushed, never prescriptive and never one-size-fits-all. The studio reflects that — a calm, well-equipped space where the work is taken seriously and every person who walks through the door is made to feel that they belong.

The Old Institute, Town Hall Square, Cowbridge — home of Clay & Craft

About us

An independent studio in the heart of Cowbridge.

Clay & Craft is an artist-led pottery studio based in The Old Institute, Town Hall Square, Cowbridge.

We believe everyone can make something meaningful from clay.

Our story

While you're here

Make a day of it in Cowbridge.

Clay & Craft sits in the Old Institute on Town Hall Square — right behind the Town Hall, steps from the bus stop, and surrounded by one of the best independent high streets in Wales. Cowbridge is the kind of town where you come for a pottery session and end up staying for the afternoon. We wouldn't have it any other way.

How to find us

We're in the Old Institute building on Town Hall Square, directly behind the Town Hall. Parking is right next to us — the free car park sits adjacent to the studio, behind the public toilets, by the bus stop. Blue Badge spaces are on the square itself. The main bus stop is immediately outside, with regular services connecting Cowbridge to Cardiff, Bridgend and the wider Vale. The high street is a two-minute walk.

96 Degrees Coffee & Micro Roastery

Food & Drink

Practically on our doorstep — 96 Degrees is a serious specialty coffee roastery and café that takes its beans as seriously as we take our clay. Single-origin roasts, exceptional espresso, and a relaxed space that's ideal for a pre-session coffee or a post-firing debrief.

Fablas Ice Creams

Food & Drink

A Cowbridge institution and a non-negotiable stop after your session. Fablas makes proper artisan ice cream in small batches — expect unusual flavours, generous scoops, and a queue that moves faster than you'd think. One of the simple pleasures of a day in Cowbridge.

Cocoa & Co

Food & Drink

A beautiful independent chocolatier and sweet shop on the high street. Hand-made chocolates, pick-and-mix done properly, and gifts that are far more interesting than anything you'd find in a chain. Budget extra time — and extra willpower.

Elephant & Bun Delicatessen

Food & Drink

A proper deli stocked with the kind of things you can't find in a supermarket — artisan cheeses, cured meats, unusual preserves, and a selection of wines and local produce that makes it genuinely difficult to leave empty-handed. Perfect for assembling a picnic or stocking up on the way home.

The Penny Farthing

Food & Drink

A relaxed café and bistro on the high street, popular with locals for good reason. Great coffee, honest food, and a friendly atmosphere — a solid choice for a pre-session breakfast or a post-session lunch.

The Bear Hotel

Food & Drink

One of the oldest coaching inns in Wales, The Bear has been welcoming travellers since the 15th century. A proper pub lunch, a good pint, and a building full of history — ideal if you want to make a proper afternoon of it.

The Duke of Wellington Hotel

Food & Drink

A handsome hotel and bar on the high street with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're after a relaxed drink, a proper meal, or somewhere to stay overnight and make a full weekend of your visit to Cowbridge, the Duke is a reliable and characterful choice.

The Horse & Groom

Food & Drink

A traditional pub with a loyal local following and a proper community feel. Good beer, unpretentious food, and the kind of easy atmosphere that makes it a natural end to a creative afternoon.

1 Town Hall Square

Food & Drink

Despite the name, there's no town square — 1 Town Hall Square is almost next door to us, making it one of the most convenient spots for a coffee or a bite before your session. A handy neighbour and a good one.

Cowbridge Farmers' Market

Food & Drink

Every Saturday morning in the yard of Arthur Johns & Co, right behind our studio — which makes it one of the most convenient farmers' markets in Wales if you're already booked in with us. The best local producers from across the Vale of Glamorgan: cheese, bread, meat, preserves, plants, honey and more. Book a Saturday session and make a proper morning of it.

Jenny Lambert Art Studios

Art & Culture

A working artist's studio and gallery in the heart of Cowbridge. Jenny's work celebrates the Welsh landscape with warmth and colour — well worth a visit if you're already in a creative frame of mind after your session with us.

The Pencil Case

Shopping

A lovely independent art and stationery shop that feels like it was made for people who love making things. Quality materials, thoughtful gifts, and the kind of carefully chosen stock that you only find in shops run by people who genuinely care. A natural companion to a day at Clay & Craft.

Stuff-Stwf

Shopping

A brilliant independent gift shop with a strong Welsh identity. Thoughtful, funny, and genuinely original — the kind of shop you go into for five minutes and leave forty minutes later with a bag full of things you didn't know you needed.

Happy Days Vintage Home Store

Shopping

A treasure trove of vintage homewares, curiosities and decorative pieces. The kind of shop where everything has a story — and where you'll almost certainly find something you didn't know you were looking for. Brilliant for gifts, brilliant for yourself.

No. 39 Cowbridge

Shopping

A stylish independent boutique with a carefully edited selection of clothing, accessories and gifts. The kind of shop that makes Cowbridge's high street worth travelling for — personal, well-curated, and a world away from the usual retail chains.

Tallia Cowbridge

Shopping

A beautiful fashion boutique offering contemporary womenswear with a considered, grown-up aesthetic. If you're making a day of your visit, Tallia is the kind of shop that rewards a proper browse.

Noble Grape UK

Shopping

An independent wine merchant with a serious and well-chosen cellar. Whether you're looking for a bottle to mark the occasion, a case to take home, or just some knowledgeable advice, Noble Grape is one of the best reasons to linger on the high street.

Cocoplum

Shopping

A vibrant independent lifestyle and gift shop bringing colour, personality and a tropical spirit to the Cowbridge high street. Great for unusual gifts, homewares and accessories — the kind of shop that puts a smile on your face the moment you walk in.

Bathrooms of Cowbridge

Shopping

A beautifully presented showroom for luxury bathroom design. If you're in the middle of a renovation — or just enjoy looking at beautifully designed spaces — it's worth a visit. Proof that Cowbridge's independent offer extends well beyond the expected.

Arthur Johns & Co

Shopping

A long-established Cowbridge institution right behind our studio — and home to the Saturday farmers' market in its yard. The kind of business that has been part of the town's fabric for generations: reliable, knowledgeable, and a genuine anchor of the local community.

Cowbridge Bookshop

Shopping

A proper independent bookshop — the kind that's increasingly rare and all the more worth supporting for it. Knowledgeable staff, a well-chosen stock, and the particular pleasure of browsing shelves curated by people who actually read. A perfect stop before or after your session.

Beau Nash

Shopping

A long-standing Cowbridge institution offering quality menswear and country clothing. Classic, well-made, and reliably good — the kind of shop that has earned its place on the high street over many years.

The Flower Shop Cowbridge

Shopping

An independent florist with a beautiful and seasonal approach to flowers and gifts. Whether you're picking up a bouquet to mark the occasion or looking for something a little more considered, it's a lovely addition to a day in town.

Cowbridge Pharmacy

Shopping

An independent pharmacy that has been serving the town for years. Friendly, knowledgeable, and a reminder that Cowbridge's high street still has the kind of essential, community-rooted businesses that most towns have long since lost.

Cowbridge Physic Garden

Culture & Nature

A beautifully restored walled garden tucked behind the high street, planted with medicinal herbs and heritage varieties. Free to visit, peaceful, and genuinely surprising — one of Cowbridge's best-kept secrets and a lovely spot to decompress after a session.

The Old Hall

Art & Culture

A beautifully restored historic hall in the heart of Cowbridge, used as a venue for exhibitions, performances, and cultural events. Well worth checking what's on during your visit — it's the kind of space that reminds you why Cowbridge punches well above its weight as a cultural destination.

The Golden Wok

Takeaways

Right here in our building complex — you genuinely cannot get closer than this. The Golden Wok is a Chinese takeaway on the doorstep, ideal if you want to grab something on the way out or order in after a long session.

The Pear Tree

Food & Drink

A well-regarded restaurant in nearby West Hampton, just a short drive from Cowbridge. A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and a menu that makes good use of local produce — worth the short trip if you're making a full day of it.

Shampan Indian Restaurant

Takeaways

A popular Indian restaurant and takeaway in Cowbridge with a loyal following. A reliable choice for an evening meal after a session — dine in or take away, the food is consistently good.

Farnhams at Cowbridge

Food & Drink

A well-established Cowbridge restaurant with a reputation for quality and consistency. Locally sourced ingredients, a thoughtful menu, and a room that feels like a proper occasion — worth booking ahead if you're planning a celebratory visit.

Toscana Cowbridge

Takeaways

An Italian restaurant and takeaway bringing warmth and generosity to the Cowbridge dining scene. Good pasta, good pizza, and the kind of easy atmosphere that makes it a natural choice for a group meal — eat in or take away after your session.

Thai Elephant

Takeaways

Cowbridge's Thai restaurant and takeaway, popular with locals and visitors alike. Authentic flavours, generous portions, and a welcoming atmosphere — a great option if you want something a little different after your session.

Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen

Food & Drink

A brilliant farm shop and café that champions local and seasonal produce from the Vale of Glamorgan. Whether you're after a proper lunch in the kitchen or stocking up on exceptional local ingredients to take home, Forage is one of the best reasons to spend time in this part of Wales.

Studio members

Already a member?

Access your notice boards, resources and course register through the members portal.

Four-week courses are added here as they open. Learn about membership →

Visit us

Find us in Cowbridge.

Address

Clay & Craft
The Old Institute
Town Hall Square
Cowbridge
CF71 7DD
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Contact

What3Words

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Getting here

Free parking adjacent to the studio, behind the public toilets by the bus stop. Blue Badge spaces on Town Hall Square.

Step-free access via the main entrance. Accessible toilet on site.

Studio hours

Studio hours vary by session — check What's On for current availability.

OS Grid

SS 9974 7469