Rainbows Ceramics Painting Studio. York, UK.
ENTRY
from £5
WHERE
York
What it’s like
Pick a plate, mug or ceramic animal and paint it, no booking needed, just walk in and grab a table.
You turn up, choose something from the shelf, cupcakes, animals, letters, bowls, mugs, plates, and get stuck into painting it however you fancy. There are stamps and pens as well as brushes if freehand isn't quite working out, and nobody's rushing you off the table. The site says most visits run an hour and a half to two hours, though they're upfront that you can stay as long as you like, which is rare for this sort of place.
Cost is per item rather than a flat entry fee, and it starts at £15, no separate studio fee on top. That's the whole price, no surprise extras at the till, which is fairer than some studios but still not pocket change if you've got more than one child painting. If you don't finish in one go you can come back to complete it for £5, but only midweek outside school holidays, which is a bit of a faff if your only free day is a Saturday.
It's walk-ins only for the ordinary painting sessions, no booking required, though on busy days they'll take your number and call when a table's free. Parties are different, you need 6 or more painters booked ahead, up to 14 round the party table, and the minimum age for those is 7. Your finished piece needs firing, so collection is a week later with a 4:45pm cut off, not something to grab on the way out the door.
It sits two minutes from York Minster and five from the train station, with pay and display parking at Bootham Row or Marygate nearby. Worth knowing the toilet doorway is narrow and there's a small step, so the accessible loo 45 metres away with a radar key is the better bet if that matters to you.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 7 and up for parties; younger kids fine for a walk-in paint
- Last entry
- 4:45pm for finishing painting and collections
- Booking
- Walk-ins welcome. Group bookings for 6+ painters available
- Parking
- Bootham Row pay and display car park 2 minutes away
- How long to allow
- On average about one and a half to two hours
- Wheelchairs
- Limited wheelchair access. Toilet doorways 68cm wide with 6.5cm step
- Getting there by bus or train
- 2 minutes walk from York Minster
- Parties
- Party packages from £15-£22 per head
- No studio fee, the price on your chosen item is the full cost
- Finished pieces need firing, so collection is about a week later with a 4:45pm cut off
- Return visits to finish a piece are midweek only, not during school holidays
- Party bookings need a minimum age of 7 and at least 6 painters
- Gift vouchers are sold in £5, £10 and £20, collect in person or pay extra for posting
Plan your visit
Do we need to book?
No, it's walk-ins for regular painting sessions. If they're busy they'll take your number and ring when a table's free.
How much does it cost?
It's priced per item you choose to paint, starting at £15. There's no extra studio fee, the price on the item is what you pay.
How long does it take?
Around an hour and a half to two hours on average, though you're welcome to stay longer. Younger children tend to finish quicker than older ones.
What if my child doesn't finish?
You can come back to finish it for a £5 studio fee, but only on a weekday and not during school holidays. You've got up to two months to return.
When do we get the finished piece?
It needs firing, so collection is about a week later. Collections have a 4:45pm cut off.
Can we book a birthday party here?
Parties need 6 or more painters and there's room for up to 14 round the party table. The minimum age for a party booking is 7.
Is there parking nearby?
Bootham Row pay and display is about two minutes away, and Marygate car park is five minutes away.
Is there anywhere to eat?
It's a painting studio rather than a café setup, so it's worth eating before or after your visit.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Access is limited, the toilet doorway is only 68cm wide with a small step. There's an accessible toilet about 45 metres away using a radar key or 40p.
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