The Shire Workshops
Pottery and Sculpture Workshops for Everyone
🏠︎ Wilbarston, Market Harborough, UK
What’s New?
21/10/2025 :: We added upcoming Art & Craft Workshops here.
05/09/2025 :: Booking opened for “Let’s Make Permanent Pumpkin” Only 7 places available!
04/09/2025 :: We are moving things around! Time Table of all the workshops are added.
About The Shire Workshops
An Oasis of Creativity.
We embrace creators from all walks of life.
The Shire Workshops offers and hands-on pottery, sculpture, and various craft workshops for all ages and skill levels.
Located in the picturesque Welland Valley, tucked away in the peaceful village of Wilbarston —nestled between Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, the studio has a cozy, homely feel that inspires creativity and connection. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, you’ll find an enriching environment to explore your artistic passions.
Looking to ignite your creativity in a welcoming art studio? You came to the right place.
We aim to have fun by exploring fantastical ideas and discovering infinite combinations of shapes, patterns, and colours, just as nature does. We believe that all artistic expression is joyful, therapeutic, and enriching.
At The Shire Workshops, you can immerse yourself in creative activities and use your imagination to bring your ideas to life. You can explore materials and techniques for a purpose or simply for fun. Whether you join others in a community of like-minded individuals or sit by yourself and create, we embrace and respect everyone’s unique individuality.
Creating art shouldn’t be expensive! Come and check out our affordable workshops.
Pottery and Craft Workshops
We offer a range of creative workshops for Pottery, Raku Pottery (Glazing), and Pay Tiya Premium Sculptures. We also run various half-day Art and Craft Workshops, such as Wire Jewellery Making, Still Life Painting
The workshops are suitable for all skill levels, and we have something for all ages. So, why not try something new?
Our pottery teachers Joe and Bob are well versed in teaching people with disability and special needs. Please reach out via contact form if your loved ones would like to give it a go!
Pottery Course
In this 8-week workshop, we will teach you the basics and what you can achieve with clay. Price drops after the first round of 8-week session. Great for those want to keep on going!
Raku Pottery
In this full day workshop, you get to learn how to glaze and fire your own pieces, and take home at the end of the day. Join this after 8-week workshop to make your own, or purchase blank pieces.
Sculpture
We use this cement-like durable and all weather purpose medium called Pal Tiya Premium. Air cures to harder than concrete! Come and make your own Tree Ent, Dragon, Green Man, or Tree Stump Planters.
Art & Craft
Some of our teachers also run craft workshops such as jewellery making, still life painting, etc. Check out our social media to see the past workshops. Also, send a request if there’s anything you’d like to learn!
Pal Tiya Premium
The weatherproof sculpting medium for creatives
Pal Tiya Premium enables artists of every skill level, from aspiring to professional, to make beautiful permanent art that can stay outside all year long! This medium cures stone-hard without firing, has considerable natural strength, and is designed for extreme outdoor conditions.
Pal Tiya Premium lets you:
- Go big and go outside with your art
- Use simple or complex armatures to create any shape
- Sculpt beautiful textures and finishes
Come and join one of our popular Sculpture Workshop, or buy Pal Tiya Premium directly from The Shire Workshops.
What people say
About The Shire Workshops
Embracing mythical and creative side
Bob and Joe are wonderful and this is such a charming place. They have a very knowledgeable but rela...Read More
Embracing mythical and creative side
Bob and Joe are wonderful and this is such a charming place. They have a very knowledgeable but relaxed teaching style and their creations are fantastic. I'd highly recommend everybody spends at least a day embracing their mythical and creative side here.
Emma Bond
Girl Guides
I took some girl guides to see Bob (including one with severe special needs). We had a fab time and ...Read More
Girl Guides
I took some girl guides to see Bob (including one with severe special needs). We had a fab time and he was so patient with all of us...we all achieved a sculpture and threw a pot each on the wheel...can't wait to go back...highly recommended!
Carole Rowsell
A wonderful space
I absolutely love visiting to do a bit more to my project each time. Bob is so patient and full of k...Read More
A wonderful space
I absolutely love visiting to do a bit more to my project each time. Bob is so patient and full of knowledge. His guidance and teaching of techniques is very clear. The studio is a wonderful space with inspirational ideas around the room, plenty of space to work alongside others and very clean and well organised. The outdoor space is a wonderful little getaway from the hustle and bustle of life with wildlife to watch and listen to. I'm looking forward to returning.
Robes KT
Fantastic Pal Tiya
Great day with Joe and Bob. I have a million ideas and honestly couldn't recommend it more! And the ...Read More
Fantastic Pal Tiya
Great day with Joe and Bob. I have a million ideas and honestly couldn't recommend it more! And the Pal Tiya is fantastic! Supple and so easy to mix and work with. Would be a terrific team building exercise.
Andrea McVey
Sculpting Workshop
I've just had a great day with Joe and Bob being introduced to Pal Tiya sculpting medium. The worksh...Read More
Sculpting Workshop
I've just had a great day with Joe and Bob being introduced to Pal Tiya sculpting medium. The workshop was well signposted, with excellent joining information, and was held in a working ceramics workshop, The class size was small, which meant close supervision and guidance throughout that was helpful and informative. Joe did a great job demo'ing each of the techniques. Can't recommend the workshop enough for those wanting to explore sculpting in a clay-like medium without the faff of kiln firing.
Neil Burley
Green Man Workshop
Really good day spent with Bob and Joe. Lots of advice, patience, tea and biscuits for an absolute b...Read More
Green Man Workshop
Really good day spent with Bob and Joe. Lots of advice, patience, tea and biscuits for an absolute beginner. With their help, came home with a Green Man that I will be happy to put on a wall. Highly recommended!
Carol Willow
Witches and wizards sculpting day
Visited today for the witches and wizards sculpting day and thoroughly enjoyed it! Joe and Bob were ...Read More
Witches and wizards sculpting day
Visited today for the witches and wizards sculpting day and thoroughly enjoyed it! Joe and Bob were very helpful and lovely hosts. Cannot wait to visit again!! Highly recommended!
Gina Tebby
Pottery Class
Bob and Joe are incredibly talented, have amazing patience and kept the tea flowing while we all put...Read More
Pottery Class
Bob and Joe are incredibly talented, have amazing patience and kept the tea flowing while we all put our newly learnt skills to the test. There is no judgement, just support and such an enthusiasm to share their knowledge with you. It was such a great experience.
Amy Harris
Pay Tiya Workshop
Yesterday we had the most wonderful day with Bob and Joe at their pottery studio. We were shown the ...Read More
Pay Tiya Workshop
Yesterday we had the most wonderful day with Bob and Joe at their pottery studio. We were shown the techniques of working with Pal Tiya, which is an amazing medium to sculpt without the need for firing. Everyone was lovely and tea and cake in the garden area was very nice! Definitely want to do this again - highly recommended!