Up Close: Honiton Pottery Workshop

This week Honiton Nub News visited the Honiton Pottery Workshop, which is located in Honiton at the top of the High Street.

The Honiton Pottery Workshop has been run by Beth Simmons since 2020. She bought the business after attending evening classes at the shop.

Beth has lived in Awliscombe, near Honiton, for 13 years. She has a pharmacy background and came along to the Pottery Workshop for an evening class.

Beth was so impressed with the shop and enjoyed the pottery making so much that she said to her friend at the time that she would love to buy the business. Although she has always been crafty, she has no experience of throwing pottery before the evening classes.

To hone her skills, Beth bought a wheel and kiln for her home so she could practise at home.

Sure enough, four years later the owners of the Honiton Pottery Workshop sold up – and Beth bought it!

The Pottery Workshop offers a wide range of options for customers. You can simply pop in and select one of the pre-made ceramic items, such as plates, mugs, money boxes, vases, teapots or even birdboxes.

Alternatively, you can have a bespoke creation made and decorated by the team, such as a plate or a new baby gift. They also offer parties for a range of occasions, including children's birthdays and Hen parties, as well as corporate events. One of their most popular items are the baby hand and footprints.

Items start form about £15 and go up to about £40.

If you'd like to learn how to throw pottery and use a wheel, then you can sign up for evening classes – you can even buy the classes for a family member or friend by purchasing vouchers. 

Customers can also enjoy refreshments whilst they paint. The shop serves hot drinks, cakes and milkshakes and they have recently been awarded Five Stars for hygiene from the Food Standards Agency.

Beth told Nub News: "I bought the shop just before lockdown, so it was very hard. We delivered pottery sets to people's homes to get by, but it was obviously very difficult.

"Since that time, we have gone from strength to strength. After Covid, I think people are looking for something different and a bit creative to do with their time.

"People are interested in relaxing and mindfulness. It's restorative to come and paint for an hour or two. I have one woman who comes in a couple of times a week, just to relax and have some quiet time. She loves it."

"It's the people I love", Beth explained. "I love meeting all the people that come here. What is so lovely is that everyone is coming because they want to, and so they are having a nice time and really enjoying themselves. Everyone is happy here!"

The Honiton Pottery Workshop is located at 30 High Street. Their hours vary depending on whether it is a school holiday but you can contact them on 01404 42106 or [email protected]