Raku Workshop

Come and enjoy a Raku Experience at Bird’s Pottery!

Raku firing is unique and one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery. It was developed in Japan in the 16th century for the Japanese tea ceremony.

On the day you will be working in Bird’s Pottery Raku Shed and outdoor space. Each participant will have a choice of various styles of bisque fired pots. You will glaze your own pieces with a choice of glazes. These are then dried and put directly into a hot kiln outside for half an hour at a temperature of approximately 1000°c. They are then put into a reduction chamber… a metal sawdust bin.

These are then allowed to cool naturally or plunged into a water bath (as on the Pottery Throw down).

Each piece that you create will be unique and you never know exactly what is going to appear!

We need at least 48 hours notice if you need to cancel, we can not refund unless we can fill the place.

  • This workshop is suitable for 16 years and above. Under 18's must be accompanied by a paying adult.

  • Timings can be weather dependent, the workshop will be approximately 2.5/3hours, start at 1:30pm

  • Cost is £60/person payable prior to the workshop. We also have a ceramic token available if you wanted to buy the experience as a gift.

This is a seasonal workshop during the warmer months, starting in Spring.

Multiple handcrafted ceramic cups with colorful, abstract glaze patterns on a gray surface.

2026 dates

1st August

5th September

Email us if you would like to find out more!

  • Two men standing outdoors beside a propane tank, with a hot kiln firing Raku pots.

  • Close-up of a hand holding a decorated ceramic vase outdoors with a garden and people in the background.

  • A group of seven women of varying ages gathered around a table outdoors, working on pottery and ceramic projects. The table holds various pottery pieces, brushes, and tools. The background features lush green trees and a stone wall, indicating a garden or outdoor workshop setting.

  • A display with a glowing orange-red interior, containing various bowls and objects, with a thermometer on the wooden wall in the background.

  • Three men working outdoors in a backyard, wearing gloves and handling a cooking or heating device, with trees and a wooden shed in the background.

  • A raku fired jelly bean, resting on wood shavings inside a large metallic container with some steam or smoke rising.

  • A group of people sitting and standing around a rustic outdoor table with a birthday cake and birthday candles, in a wooden shed-like setting with green chairs and a grassy ground.