Wild Pottery – Level 1
The original Wild Pottery course
May 30/31 (Fri/Sat)
July 5/6 (Sat/Sun)
September 13/14 (Sat/Sun)
October 17/18 (Fri/Sat)*
Two days, 10.30am – 5pm both days
£280
Wild Pottery is also available as a bite-sized course for families
Venue: open air woodland setting in a 70 acre ancient coppiced wood on a family-run working farm, the peaceful and beautiful Dernwood Farm Nr Heathfield, East Sussex.
A 2-day, in-depth course in the woods making hand built pottery using clay that we’ll dig from the land on the day. This course provides a thorough understanding and hands-on appreciation of wild pottery, the origins of an ancient human craft. The tools and technology we’ll be using are, as far as is known, the same as those used since Neolithic times, when pottery began, and well into the Bronze Age.
Day 1: Earth & water. Learn how to identify and collect clay from the landscape. You’ll process it and have time to make a couple of items, and I’ll offer technical assistance for the making, where needed. You’ll also learn how to make your pot strong enough to survive the firing.
Day 2: Fire & wood. Firing your pots in an open fire. It’s an exciting process and really magical to witness clay being transmuted by fire. You’ll see the pots glowing red hot in the fire as they are transformed into ceramic. They’ll be cool enough by the end of the day to take home with you. You never know exactly how your pots will turn out so it’s always a thrill.
A simple but hearty vegetarian lunch is provided, we’ll have a kettle on the camp fire, plus a huge tarp on hand for cover in case we need it. I aim to offer you a satisfying learning experience as well as an enjoyable time away from it all. To support you in getting the most from the days, we’ll connect to the woodland surroundings through a short and simple, guided mindfulness-based practice.
Two wonderful days of creative discovery, earthing and connectedness. I especially appreciated your careful pacing and clear explanations of the whole process, with time also to stop and take stock, reflect and celebrate. I can’t wait to do Wild Pottery Level 2! Annabel F, London
Suitable for all levels including beginners. Groups are kept small to allow for individual attention.
Accommodation: camping is available at the farm venue, and full details about this will be sent to you when you book on the course. The farm also has glamping options, including cosy bell tents and cabins with wood-burners. The cost of staying at the farm is not included in the course. Read about accommodation options.
*October course: onsite accommodation will be closed but there are lots of off-site options.
Follow-on courses: Wild Pottery Level 1.5 ; Wild Pottery Level 2 (you don’t need to have done Level 1.5 before joining Level 2. Only Level 1 is required for Level 2)
Check out all my Wild Pottery courses
You can read FAQs here.
See you in the woods!
The clay: Native Hands has a special agreement with the farm venue to dig small amounts of clay on Wild Pottery courses. This permission does not extend to people who are not part of the group on the day of the course.
Featured in the Guardian lifestyle section. National Geographic & Toyota put Native Hands in their top 125 UK adventures.
