Blue Beetle Ceramics
BEST FOR
Ages 12+
ENTRY
from £3
WHERE
Thatcham
What it’s like
Pick a piece of bisque pottery, paint it your way, then collect it glazed and fired a week later.
This is a painting studio rather than a play centre, so it suits older kids and adults more than little ones. You choose from a wide selection of bisque pottery, sit down with the paints and take your time over it. Nobody's rushing you out the door, which is exactly the point.
The age line is firm here: it's 12 and up, so this isn't one for a toddler's rainy afternoon. That does mean the studio can properly hold a teenager's attention, which is more than you can say for most craft activities pitched at that age. Once you're happy with your painting it goes back to the Thatcham studio to be glazed and fired, and you'll wait about a week to collect the finished piece, which is a nice excuse for a second trip.
There's also a Clay Creation event for making things like a Christmas tree tealight, priced at £30 for the 12+ maker with an accompanying adult tagging along for £3. If you fancy pottery painting without the kids, Fired-up Friday is an evening version at partner venue The Rowbarge, £20 a ticket, with £15 of that going towards your piece, an extended session, nibbles on the table and the option to bring your own alcohol.
The studio opens Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm. Sessions aren't cheap at £20 a head for standard painting, but you're paying for the studio time and the firing, not just the paint.
Need to know
- Best for
- 12 and up; not set up for younger children
- Minimum age is 12, so this isn't set up for younger children
- Finished pottery takes about a week to come back glazed and fired
- Fired-up Friday lets you bring your own alcohol along to the session
- Open Wednesday to Saturday only
Plan your visit
How old do kids need to be?
Twelve and up. It's built for older kids and adults rather than younger children.
How much does it cost?
Pottery painting is £20 a head. The Christmas Tree Tealight clay session is £30 for the 12+ maker, with an accompanying adult going along for £3.
When do we get the finished pottery?
You paint it on the day, then it heads off to be glazed and fired in the kiln. Collection is about a week later.
What's Fired-up Friday?
An evening pottery painting ticket at The Rowbarge, £20, with £15 of that put towards your piece. You get a longer session, nibbles on the table and can bring your own drinks.
What are the opening hours?
Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
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