THE KILN CAFE
OPEN THURSDAY - SUNDAY
CHANGES TO HOURS WILL BE ON GOOGLE OR SOCIAL MEDIA
WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU
Before you book, make sure you have read the information below...
PLEASE READ BELOW:
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100% of your party need to be painters on weekends - we always have a waitlist of painters!.
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Book a table(s) for as many people who will be arriving so you all have a seat.
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Use the client notes to let us know of any special requirements including space for buggies and reserving a highchair.
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If you can avoid bringing pushchairs please do as space is tight!
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If you are booking the VIP room, you must let us know your party numbers in the client notes this is strictly a max of 16 people.
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If you wish to book a kids party, you will need to call the studio to discuss your options.
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The VIP room has a £60 booking fee this does not act as a deposit. Your booking is not confirmed until payment is made in full.
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Please read our cancellation policy before booking.
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We will NOT charge your card unless you are a no-show.
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Please note, The Lounge has a minimum age requirement of 16 years. Your pottery will be ready for collection approx 10 days after painting this varies in busier periods.
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Pottery pieces range in price from £10 to £50 on top of any booking fees.
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If you are booking to finish a piece, your return fee will be on top of any studio fees.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT FIRING YOUR PAINTED POTTERY
Please Read Before We Fire Your Piece:
Firing painted earthenware pottery is an exciting but delicate process! Once your piece goes into the kiln, certain things can happen that are beyond our control — even with the greatest care.
POSSIBLE FIRING ISSUES:
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Cracking or Breaking:
If the clay has trapped air, uneven thickness, or was not fully dry, it can crack or break during firing. -
Blistering or Pinholes:
Thick paint layers, fingerprints, or dust can cause small bubbles or holes in the glaze after firing. -
Color Variation:
Fired colors may look lighter, darker, or slightly different from what you see before firing—especially if applied unevenly. -
Crazing (Fine Cracks in the Glaze):
Sometimes, small surface cracks appear in the glaze after firing. This is called crazing and happens when the glaze and clay body cool and shrink at different rates. It’s a normal effect and does not mean your piece is unsafe or defective. -
Crawling (Bare Spots or Pulled Glaze):
If the glaze was applied too thickly, unevenly, or onto dusty areas, it may pull away from the surface during firing, leaving bare patches known as crawling. -
Peeling or Sticking:
Paint or glaze on the bottom of your piece can stick to kiln shelves or cause peeling when removed. -
Warping:
Flat items (like plates or plaques) can sometimes warp slightly due to heat and clay movement in the kiln.
TO HELP AVOID ISSUES:
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Wash your hands to avoid any grease or oils transferring on to the bisque.
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Apply 2–3 even coats of colour.
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Keep the bottom of your piece unpainted and clean.
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Avoid painting too thickly or mixing wet and dry layers.
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Handle pieces gently and allow them to dry completely before firing.
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Tell staff if your piece has repairs or delicate decorations.
PLEASE NOTE:
While we take every possible precaution, firing is a natural and unpredictable process. Small imperfections like colour shifts, minor crazing, or surface texture changes are normal and part of handmade pottery’s charm. We cannot guarantee perfect results once your piece has been fired.
Thank you for your understanding.
READ OUR CANCELLATION POLICY
We ask that you please reschedule or cancel at least 6 hours before the beginning of your appointment. We do not charge a deposit to book a table. You must cancel, reschedule or let us know before hand if you can not make your table. If you do not you will be charged a £10 no-show fee. We will hold your table for 15 minutes before marking your appointment as a no-show. VIP Painting and The Lounge booking fees are non-refundable with less than 48 hours notice.