Based just around the corner from Open Door's main building, The Studio makes the joy of pottery and other creative activities available to the community of Berkhamsted - whether that's throwing classes, pottery painting, hand building, parties, acrylic or watercolour workshops - there's something for everyone!
As well as group sessions, we offer private classes 1:1 or for friends and family, as well as parties for children and adults. Please browse our schedule of classes and workshops below, and see more details and FAQs about classes, parties and collecting finished pots further down the page. We can't wait to welcome you soon!
As well as group sessions, we offer private classes 1:1 or for friends and family, as well as parties for children and adults. Please browse our schedule of classes and workshops below, and see more details and FAQs about classes, parties and collecting finished pots further down the page. We can't wait to welcome you soon!
Gift Vouchers
Why not gift a pottery class to a friend or family member? Gift vouchers of various denominations are available to purchase at www.bookwhen.com/opendoor/vouchers and are valid for 6 months from date of purchase.
Pottery Painting Parties
We are really pleased to be able to offer pottery painting parties for kids age 5+ and adults in Berkhamsted! Attendees will be able to choose from a range of pre-made pottery items, to paint to their heart's content.
Parties cost approx £20 per head. For birthday parties, we provide a plate for each of the invitees to sign for the birthday girl or boy to keep, and a drink for each child.
Please get in touch at [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
Parties cost approx £20 per head. For birthday parties, we provide a plate for each of the invitees to sign for the birthday girl or boy to keep, and a drink for each child.
Please get in touch at [email protected] to discuss your requirements.
What's on at The Studio
Please see our class schedule below - you can also pop in during collection times for more info, or to collect pots you have made - see FAQs below for details of collection times.
FAQs
Where is the STUDIO and where can i park?
The Studio is based around the corner from the main Open Door building - on Park Street in Berkhamsted HP4 1HX. The Studio is half way down the street, on the left - the last industrial building before it turns to houses.
There are a small number of parking spaces outside the front of the building, which are reserved for disabled customers and tutors. Please speak to your tutor should you need to reserve one, or email [email protected]. Otherwise, please park in nearby town carparks - the nearest public car park is St John's Well Lane, Berkhamsted, HP4 1HA. If you have any queries or issues, please speak to your tutor.
We're about a 7 minute walk from Berkhamsted Railway Station, and a minute or so from the main Aylesbury to Watford 500 bus route.
There are a small number of parking spaces outside the front of the building, which are reserved for disabled customers and tutors. Please speak to your tutor should you need to reserve one, or email [email protected]. Otherwise, please park in nearby town carparks - the nearest public car park is St John's Well Lane, Berkhamsted, HP4 1HA. If you have any queries or issues, please speak to your tutor.
We're about a 7 minute walk from Berkhamsted Railway Station, and a minute or so from the main Aylesbury to Watford 500 bus route.
Is the building acceSsible?
The building is on one level, and has a small step up to, over and down the door sill (we are working on a ramp but it is not yet in place). There is an accessible toilet inside.
how do i book classes?
Please see the schedule above, where booking details are given within each event. We also run classes in the main Open Door building - see all class listings in one place at www.opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk/whats-on
What do i need to bring?
This will be dependent on what class you're doing and with which tutor. Your tutor will let you know all you need to know! Please ensure you wear clothes that you don't mind getting a bit messy.
Can i hire the STUDIO to teach my own classes from?
The Studio is an asset for the town, and we are keen to welcome a range of tutors and hirers, for pottery or other creative activities which need a workshop space. If you're interested in hiring the Studio, please email [email protected].
what facilities does the STUDIO have?
- 6 pottery wheels
- benches, tables and chairs for hand building, pottery painting, painting / arts / crafts etc
- kiln
- pottery tools etc
- accessible toilet
- sink with clay trap
- the Open Door café & garden within a minute's walk away!
- limited parking out the front for Blue Badge holders & tutors.
can i be one of your tutors?
The Studio is an asset for the town, and we are keen to welcome a range of tutors and hirers. If you're interested in hiring the Studio or becoming a tutor, please email [email protected].
Do you do parties?
i'm a potter / ARTIST and I'd like to use the STUDIO to do my own work - can i do this?
See the schedule for our regular 'open studio' sessions for potters, who can come in and use all of the facilities of the Studio, without the need for a tutor. Please get in touch if this doesn't quite fit the bill or if you'd like to know more! [email protected]
do you serve refreshments?
We do not serve refreshments within the Studio, but at our main Open Door premises around the corner, we operate a community café Monday - Friday 10:30-3:30 & Saturday 10:30-1pm, serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, rolls, soup and other bakes. For classes outside of these times, and parties refreshments may be provided - please see your course details or ask your tutor.
CAN i hire your kiln?
Do you run 1:1 or group private classes?
Yes, we run a variety of private classes - our tutors can do 1:1 classes, or group sessions for friends and family, either using the wheel, hand building, or mixture of each.
For a rough idea of prices: private pottery classes are usually around £160 in total for 2 hours - this covers between 1 and 4 people attending, for a wheel throwing or hand building class. If you want to do hand building only, or a mix of wheel and hand building, you can have a further 4 people in your class - each additional person is chargeable at £40 per head.
Please get in touch on [email protected] to find out exact prices and available dates.
For a rough idea of prices: private pottery classes are usually around £160 in total for 2 hours - this covers between 1 and 4 people attending, for a wheel throwing or hand building class. If you want to do hand building only, or a mix of wheel and hand building, you can have a further 4 people in your class - each additional person is chargeable at £40 per head.
Please get in touch on [email protected] to find out exact prices and available dates.
WHEN / how do i collect my glazed pottery pieces?
If you have left an item(s) to be fired and/or glazed, you can collect this from the Studio three weeks after your class, during the following times:
If you have any issues or questions or would like to make an appointment please email [email protected], thank you
- Monday - 8-11am
- Tuesday - by appointment only
- Wednesday - 2.30-5.30pm
- Thursday - 1-4pm
- Friday - 9.30-12.30
- Saturday - by appointment only
- Sunday - closed
If you have any issues or questions or would like to make an appointment please email [email protected], thank you
DO you do gift vouchers?
We do! Gift vouchers of various denominations are available to purchase at www.bookwhen.com/opendoor/vouchers and are valid for 6 months from date of purchase.
Who's who
- Amanda Cooper - Open Door & The Studio General Manager
- Sarah Bryan - Pottery Technician
- Jo Biddiss - Pottery Assistant
- We also employ various tutors to teach pottery and creative arts, who are detailed under each workshop
Interested in teaching at or hiring The Studio?
The Studio is an asset for the town, and we are keen to welcome a range of tutors and hirers from pottery and creative arts backgrounds. If you're interested in hiring the Studio, please email [email protected] in the first instance.
The Studio: pottery + creative arts
Park Street, Berkhamsted, HP4 1HX (the last industrial unit on the left, as you go down Park Street)
[email protected]
With thanks to Ian Jones for his advice and hard work in setting up and maintaining the pottery, as well as to Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild (dcpg.org.uk) for their practical and financial support, and Edwina Wilks for all of her help and enthusiasm.
[email protected]
With thanks to Ian Jones for his advice and hard work in setting up and maintaining the pottery, as well as to Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild (dcpg.org.uk) for their practical and financial support, and Edwina Wilks for all of her help and enthusiasm.