Clayability

Clayability is a working pottery studio set in the North Somerset countryside at Elm Farm in Langford, just south of Bristol and a short drive from Weston-super-Mare and Bath. It is run by Bill Moore, a professional potter with over 30 years of full-time experience. Bill teaches small, hands-on courses from his own studio, keeping groups to just 5 to 7 students so everyone gets genuine one-to-one attention. Each student works at their own dedicated wheel with all tools and aprons provided, and the day includes refreshments and a home-cooked communal lunch, giving courses a relaxed, personal feel rather than a large class environment.

Clayability runs four core courses. The One Day Pottery Throwing Course is ideal for complete beginners and improvers wanting an introduction to wheel throwing techniques. The Two Day Pottery Throwing Course builds on basic skills, teaching students to make mugs, jugs and bowls with expert tuition, including handle application and footring turning. The Three Day Pottery Throwing Masterclass is a more intensive course for improving potters, covering teapots, mugs and jugs with tuition tailored to individual needs. The Two Day Raku Making and Firing Course is split across two visits: one day making pieces on the wheel or by hand, followed by a hands-on raku firing day around a week later involving fire, smoke and dramatic, unpredictable results. No experience is required for the One Day or Raku courses, while the Two Day and Three Day courses assume some existing throwing ability.

Courses run on set dates through the year at the Langford studio, typically as weekend workshops, with the Raku course split across two separate dates roughly a week apart to allow for the firing stage. Groups are kept small at 5 to 7 students per course, so booking ahead is recommended. Contact Bill directly or check the Clayability website for current availability.

The studio is a spacious, well-equipped pottery workshop based at The Pottery, Elm Farm in Langford, North Somerset. Each student has their own dedicated pottery wheel for the duration of the course, with all tools and aprons supplied. The site has parking available and is wheelchair accessible, and hot drinks, snacks and a home-cooked lunch are provided throughout each course day.

Specific course prices are not published online — contact Bill Moore directly at hello@clayability.co.uk or 07532 682466 for current pricing and availability on the One Day, Two Day and Three Day wheel throwing courses and the Two Day Raku Making and Firing course.

The One Day and Raku courses suit complete beginners and anyone wanting an introductory pottery taster in a relaxed countryside setting near Bristol, Weston-super-Mare and Bath. The Two Day and Three Day courses are aimed at those who already have some wheel throwing experience and want to develop specific skills such as handles, footrings, teapots and jugs under close, personal tuition. With small groups of 5 to 7 students, the courses suit anyone who wants genuine one-to-one guidance rather than a large class.