Here’s another rainy-day idea for you budding artists. Tried and tested, you are welcome. It pains me to say I am unsure as to whether or not I can ever return to this wonderful cafe, thanks to the maniacal behaviour of my best friend 5 minutes before closing time, but more on that later.
The pottery cafe, specifically its branch in sleepy Parson’s Green (setting the scene for you, why not) is a wonderful cosy nook for a catch up with friends- or better still a private party; BYOB welcomed and encouraged. The cafe, justifiably, promotes itself as the perfect place for children’s birthday parties and hen parties too. We were neither of these things (although we behaved at roughly the same intellectual level as the guests of a kiddie party, and exclaimed various obscenities usually saved for hen do’s. By we, I mean you, Vikki.)
The cafe is a warm, bright and welcoming room with several long tables shared by different groups. There is an impressive selection of proper coffees and home made cakes, and, best of all, the endless collection of china you may choose as your canvas is all made by Emma Bridgewater. For this reason our afternoon excursion can’t exactly come under the description ‘fun on a budget’- but I thought the all inclusive cost of about £16 for ‘entry’, paints, glazing and the resulting pottery itself was a very reasonable deal. There are innumerable glaze colours and adorable sponge shapes and pens with which to decorate your mug/teapot/other item of homeware with.
Show us your skills as a ceramicist! I hear you cry. I’m sure I can dig out a photo from somewhere- including the one that nicely illustrates the handiwork of my best friend- who has in her own way remained nameless. It would appear that Victria, after 22 years on this planet, still struggles to grasp the correct spelling of her own name. When I quietly (loudly) pointed out her mistake, she descended into a fit of despair. We had wiled away almost 3 hours painting and chatting, and had just 5 minutes in which to complete our work. Victria barked orders for new paint, sandpapered her mug until it was a size that could only accomodate an espresso and offended our fellow painters, young and old, with her colourful language. Gone are my chances of returning to the cafe to complete my bespoke kitchenware collection, but for those of you who are able to moderate your artistic mood swings (and spell your own name correctly), see below for details.
The Pottery Cafe: book in advance and possibly on a weekday evening to avoid hoards of children. Parties welcomed. Expect to give around a week for glazing before collection of your pottery. Gorgeous adjoining pottery shops for those of you who’d rather buy Emma Bridgewater’s and attempt to pass it off as your own. Wonderful for gifts.
3 branches: All open 7 days a week at various times. Usually 1 night a week open until 10pm, and this can be made possible for groups of 10 or more.
Parson’s Green 020 7736 2157
Battersea 020 7223 3388
Richmond 020 8744 3000
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