Pretty Pots
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
ENTRY
from £4.95
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Stafford
What it’s like
Pick a piece, paint it over two hours, and come back for a proper mug or plate once it's fired.
You choose a piece of pottery, a mug, a plate, a trinket dish, whatever takes your eye, and settle in to paint it. There's a £5 studio charge on top of the piece price, and the pieces start at £4.95, so a simple item plus the charge is a fair chunk cheaper than you'd think for a couple of hours out. Sessions run two hours and they're back to back, so if you turn up late you don't get extra time at the end, and if your child's still halfway through a masterpiece when time's up, you're welcome to book another session another day to finish it off.
It suits kids from about four upwards, young enough to want a go, old enough to actually sit still and paint rather than just splash. Birthday parties get their own hour-long package at £21.95 a child, or there are longer Silver and Gold packages if you want more time and extras thrown in. There's also a Monday after-school slot from 4:30 to 6:30pm if you fancy a quieter session away from the weekend crowds.
The café side is worth knowing about even if you're not painting. Afternoon tea runs from £27.95 a head, with a savoury or fizz version if you want to push the boat out, and they'll do gluten-free or dairy-free with notice, though afternoon tea needs booking a full week ahead, which catches people out if they fancy it on a whim. Booking generally is required rather than optional, so don't turn up expecting a table on a Saturday without one.
Parking's limited right outside, but there's free parking nearby too, so it's not the nightmare it could be. The one thing to watch is the deposit system, £10 a head, which you lose if you cancel within 24 hours, and party bookings are non-refundable outright.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 4 and up, once they can sit still to paint
- Booking
- Required at Milford. Walk-ins welcome at McArthurGlen if space available but advance booking recommended
- Parking
- Limited free parking outside front
- Food
- On-site café with coffee, cakes, hot chocolates, afternoon tea (from £27.95), and seasonal menus
- Parties
- Kids parties 1 hour for ages 4+, £21.95 per child
- Sessions are strictly two hours with no early seating or running over
- Afternoon tea needs booking a week ahead, it's not a same-day option
- Party and group bookings of 10 or more are paid in full upfront and non-refundable
- Deposits of £10 a head are lost if you cancel within 24 hours
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
There's a £5 studio charge per person, then the pottery piece on top, starting from £4.95. A mug's a popular pick at £14.95 plus the studio charge.
How long do we get?
Two hours, and it's back to back with the next session so they can't seat you early or let you run over. Anything unfinished can be picked up again on a separate visit.
Do we need to book?
Yes at Milford, so there's a table ready for your group. At McArthurGlen you can walk in if there's space, though booking ahead is still the safer bet.
What age is it suitable for?
From around four, old enough to sit and paint properly rather than just get stuck in with the paint pots.
Can we do a birthday party?
There's a one-hour kids party package at £21.95 a child, plus longer Silver and Gold packages if you want more time. Party bookings are taken in full upfront and aren't refundable.
Is there an evening or after-school option?
Monday sessions run 4:30 to 6:30pm, handy if you want to avoid the weekend rush.
Can we do afternoon tea?
You can, from £27.95 a head with savoury and fizz upgrades available. They need a week's notice for any afternoon tea booking, and dietary requirements flagged in advance.
What if we cancel?
Deposits are £10 a head and held on your account if you cancel more than 24 hours out, but lost entirely if you cancel later than that or don't show.
Is there parking?
There's limited free parking right outside, plus more free spaces nearby if that's full.
Do you cater for bigger groups?
There are rooms set up for larger parties, and group bookings of 8 to 16 are handled at Milford with bigger numbers possible at McArthurGlen.
Can we get a handprint or personalised piece done?
Just mention it in the notes when you book and they'll make sure someone's free to help with that.
Is there food if we're not doing afternoon tea?
The café does coffee, cakes and hot chocolates alongside the afternoon tea menu, with gluten-free and dietary options if you give them notice.
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