August 4 Week Throwing Course (Wednesdays)
A course aimed at those wanting to get to grips with the potters wheel!
Suitable for total beginners or those that have already attended a class and want to improve quickly.
We have a small and intimate studio environment, so you will all have plenty of advice and tips from our pottery tutors. Walk away with a set of glazed mugs and bowls!
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Wednesdays; 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th August.
Poke-a-Pot - Ceramic handbuilding workshop
A surface-design focused ceramic hand-building workshop.
Begin by making stamps - learn how to carve designs into leatherhard blanks. Next, learn how to create a vase or mug by forming clay around a wooden mould. After that it is just poke poke poke until the pot looks great.
No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a splash of creativity!
Your work will be fired and ready for collection 3 weeks from the workshop date.
Kids Paint a Pot
Paint a little pot, have a little fun! Half term activity for kids in Stockport.
One ticket entitles one small person to one small pot and all the materials needed to paint it!
Once you're done, pots will be fired in our kiln and will be ready to collect in a few weeks.
Accompanying adults do not need to buy a ticket, but are asked to stay for the duration of the activity. Feel free to purchase a second ticket if accompanying adult would like to paint a pot of their own!
September 4 Week Throwing Course (Wednesdays)
A course aimed at those wanting to get to grips with the potters wheel!
Suitable for total beginners or those that have already attended a class and want to improve quickly.
We have a small and intimate studio environment, so you will all have plenty of advice and tips from our pottery tutors. Walk away with a set of glazed mugs and bowls!
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Wednesdays; 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd August.
Introduction to Analogue Photography + the Darkroom - 4 week course - July (Copy)
A 4-week photography course aimed at those wanting to learn more about analogue photography and get to grips with photographic darkroom processes!
This course is ran by artist and photographer Kat Wood.
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8:30pm on the following Wednesdays; 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd Sept.
What Wood Clay Do? 4 Week Course
This is an explorative four week project ran in partnership by potter Arvinda Gray and woodworker Angus Riddell (Gus Workshop).
The artists have explored how wood and clay can act as companion materials to each other and are excited to share what they have found!
Each week introduces a different process which combines the two materials.
Demonstrations and specialist guidance will equip you with inspiration and practical knowledge, encouraging you to explore the possibilities of working with wood and clay together.
The course will cover some simple woodworking techniques and an introduction to handbuilding with clay. No experience in either practice is required.
You'll come away with a handful of finished objects, mainly ceramic (glazed in woodash glaze) and some wooden elements.
Saturdays in September, 10:30AM-12:30PM.
Cider Season - Tankard Making Workshop
A ceramic hand-building workshop! Make a cider tankard using coils of clay.
An autumnal clay workshop to celebrate apple harvest season. You will be introduced to the handbuilding technique of coiling to create and attach the components of a traditional ceramic cider tankard.
Your tankard will be glazed and fired at our workshop and ready to collect in 3 weeks.
Make a Candle!
We're entering Autumn with a cosy clay candle-making two part workshop.
Come along on Saturday the 3rd October at 10:30AM and learn how to create a pot from clay. You will be guided through every step, so this is suitable for complete beginners who have never used clay before, as well as more advanced handbuilders looking to do something new with their skills.
After you're done, we'll fire and glaze the pots in our workshop. You're then invited to drop in on Saturday the 31st October to transform your finished pot into a totally unique candle, using soy wax and essential oils. Take your candle away with you to enjoy at home!
If you're unable to attend the second date, just let us know. We can do the candle part for you!
October 4 Week Throwing Course (Wednesdays)
A course aimed at those wanting to get to grips with the potters wheel!
Suitable for total beginners or those that have already attended a class and want to improve quickly.
We have a small and intimate studio environment, so you will all have plenty of advice and tips from our pottery tutors. Walk away with a set of glazed mugs and bowls!
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Wednesdays; 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th October.
November 4 Week Throwing Course (Wednesdays)
A course aimed at those wanting to get to grips with the potters wheel!
Suitable for total beginners or those that have already attended a class and want to improve quickly.
We have a small and intimate studio environment, so you will all have plenty of advice and tips from our pottery tutors. Walk away with a set of glazed mugs and bowls!
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Thursdays; 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th November.
Monster Mugs (Kids)
Clay workshop for kids. Adapt a handmade mug into a grizzly gruesome face for Halloween.
One ticket entitles one small person to one half-made mug and all the information and materials needed to turn it into a marvellous monster!
Once you're done, pots will be fired in our kiln and will be ready to collect in a few weeks.
This workshop is recommended for children aged 8+. Accompanying adults do not need to buy a ticket, but are asked to stay for the duration of the activity. Feel free to purchase a second ticket if accompanying adult would like to paint a pot of their own!
Monster Mugs
Adults need to have Halloween fun, too! Adapt a handmade mug into a grizzly gruesome face.
One ticket entitles you to a half-made mug and all the information and materials needed to turn it into a marvellous monster using ceramic handbuilding, joining and carving techniques.
Once you're done, pots will be fired in our kiln and will be ready to collect in a few weeks.
This workshop is recommended for adults aged 16+. We have another version of this workshop running in the morning which is aimed at children aged 8+
Make a Gargoyle!
A grotesque morning of ceramic hand-building with Aimee of Tramway Arts
Aimee will guide you through you the handbuilding techniques required to properly form mould and attach clay together, producing a wacky gargoyle face of your own design.
No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a splash of creativity!
Set of Tiles - Decal Cut Collage Workshop
A collage workshop with a difference. Cut and transfer your own design onto a set of 4 tiles using ceramic overglaze decals.
Come along to the Merseyway Workshop to design and decorate your own set of ceramic tiles using collage!
You'll be supplied with a set of 4 plain 10.8cm square tiles, a sheet of black ceramic overglaze transfer paper, and all the tools and knowledge necessary to make your ideas a reality.
Tiles will be fired after the workshop to fix the decals, and ready to collect 3 weeks from the workshop date.
You might use your tiles in DIY projects, as trivets or coasters, or framed to make a unique piece of wall art!
NB: If you have your own tiles that you'd prefer to work on in order to match in with your house/project, feel free to bring those in instead. We can only accomodate a maximum of 4 tiles total per participant.
Wee Willy Winky Candleholder Workshop
A ceramic hand-building workshop! Make a pair of little handheld candleholders for all your winter wee willy winky needs.
A winter clay workshop. You will be guided through basic handbuilding techniques to create and attach the components of a 'Wee Willy Winky' style handheld candleholder.
You can make two candleholders, which will be glazed and fired at our workshop and ready to collect in 3 weeks.
Stopford House Party 2026!
A free to attend one day festival in the heart of Stockport!
Stopford House Party is a brand-new festival bringing a day packed with live music, creative workshops, delicious food/dink, and plenty more to discover.
Set in the heart of Stockport's striking Brutalist square, it's a refreshingly unusual backdrop for a party like no other.
We're keeping a few surprises under wraps for now, but expect a vibrant day filled with great music, hands-on activities, local makers, tasty food and something for everyone to enjoy.
Family and dog friendly, with lots more to be announced soon...
Register for a FREE ticket now!
Urban Sketch Workshop with Len Grant (Stopford House Party)
Len Grant is joining us at Stopford House Party for another of his popular urban sketching workshops!
This is a gentle, step-by-step introduction to putting pen to paper and building up the confidence to get out there and capture the urban scene. Before you know it, you’ll be hooked.
The workshop will take place at Stopford House and around the Brutalist piazza. We’ll start with a short presentation on what urban sketching is all about, along with a preview of the day’s activities. Once everyone is settled, we’ll get stuck into a series of demonstrations and group exercises.
Mythical Creatures! Kids Clay Workshop
Design your own mythical creature and then bring it to life in this creative sculpting session with Josie from Mud and Mai!
This session is aimed at children aged 7+
Josie will support the group as they tap into their imagination and design their own mythical creatures.
Once designs are drawn, Josie will guide participants through the process of handbuilding with clay.
Creatures will be fired and ready for collection 4 weeks from the workshop date.
Poke-a-Pot - Kids clay workshop
Experimental explorations of clay for kids aged 7-12
A 2 hour workshop for children to play and discover the creative possibilities of clay!
There will be a range of experimental clay-based activities on offer, designed for children to explore different ways of creating form and texture using a variety of tools and techniques.
The group will be guided to create simple sculptural forms or vessels, with a focus on creativity, curiosity, and hands-on exploration.This session is aimed at children aged 7+
Make a Gargoyle!
A grotesque morning of ceramic hand-building with Aimee of Tramway Arts
Aimee will guide you through you the handbuilding techniques required to properly form mould and attach clay together, producing a wacky gargoyle face of your own design.
No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a splash of creativity!
BIG LIGHT - Make a Ceramic Camera + Use It!
In this two-part workshop, you will enjoy learning a mix of pottery, pinhole photography and photographic development in the darkroom. On Saturday the 20th June, you will be guided through the process of hand-building with clay to create a simple pinhole camera. Over the following month, your cameras will be fired and glazed in our pottery so that they are robust and ready to use. Return on Saturday 18th July to test your cameras. You'll be shown how to use your new camera and then set loose on the streets of Stockport to capture an image. Back at Merseyway Workshop you will be able to develop your image with the support of a technician in our brand new darkroom. You will leave the workshop with your new camera and at least 1 black and white negative photographic print.
DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday 20th June, 10:30AM-12:30PM - Make your pinhole camera from clay.
Saturday 18th July, 10:30AM-12:30PM - Use your pinhole camera and process at least 1 image.
Please ensure that you are available on both dates before booking your spot on this workshop.
BIG LIGHT 1:1 Guided Darkroom Session
An opportunity to use the darkroom with professional guidance from a technician
Following the opening of BIG LIGHT, Merseyway Workshop's brand new B&W photographic darkroom, we are excited to release bookable guided darkroom sessions.
Each slot is 1.5 hours long, giving you exclusive use of the darkroom during this time. These slots are for anybody, but might appeal to:
-Complete beginners who are interested in an intimate taught introduction to basic darkroom processes (developing photographic film, enlarging and printing from developed B&W 35mm film).
-People who need a refresher on basic darkroom processes or are relatively new to the darkroom.
-People with some experience in the darkroom who would still benefit from guidance from a professional for troubleshooting or support refining your skills.
-Anybody looking to book our 'BIG LIGHT Darkroom Access' sessions who need to go through a mandatory induction in order to do so.
More info through booking link.
A DAY OF CLAY
Get your hands dirty at this day long drop-in. Discover simple techniques and make them work for you whatever your ability.
Join studio member and potter Kate Butler for a day of clay. Three slots throughout the day, each offering an overview of a different fundamental hand-building technique.
Let the clay lead the way and if you like where it takes you, we'll fire it and glaze it for you for £5.
WORKSHOP TIMINGS:
10am-12pm [PINCH]
12:30-2:30pm [SLAB]
2:30-4:30pm [COIL]
Book your spot on the workshop of your choice. If you'd like to stick around for multiple workshops throughout the day, just get in touch (info@merseywayworkshop.com) and we'll send you a discount code. £12.50 for one workshop. £22.50 for two workshops. £31 for all three workshops.
Crochet Beermats!
Crochet together at the pub!
Suitable for complete beginners and avid crocheters. Claudia of @patchworkblondee shares her beermat crochet pattern in our pop up pub, The Potter's Wheel. All materials are included. Enjoy a slow paced, social crafting session.
Introduction to Analogue Photography + the Darkroom - 4 week course - July
A 4-week photography course aimed at those wanting to learn more about analogue photography and get to grips with photographic darkroom processes!
This course is ran by artist and photographer Kat Wood.
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8:30pm on the following Wednesdays; 1st, 8th, 22nd and 29th July.
Badge Workshop with Local Press Club
No need to book!
Come and make some badges at the pub
Bring your own designs or work with what's there on the day. Machine use and materials are all included, and somebody will be around if you need a hand.
No ticket needed - drop in and pay on the day. £5 for 5 badges. No experience needed. All are welcome.
Summer Pottery Course - Throwing and Handbuilding (Wednesday Evenings)
An 8-week pottery course aimed at those wanting to get to grips with both the potters wheel and simple handbuilding processes.
Suitable for total beginners or those that have already attended a class and want to improve quickly.
We have a small and intimate studio environment, so you will all have plenty of advice and tips from our pottery tutors. Walk away with a set of glazed creations!
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Wednesdays; 10th Jun, 17th Jun, 24th Jun, 1st July, 8th July, 15th July, 22nd July and 29th July.
Make a Summer Vase with Mud + Mai
A wholesome afternoon of ceramic hand-building.
Join artist Josie of Mud + Mai for an afternoon of making.
Starting at the design stage, you'll create templates from paper before translating these onto slabs of clay. Following this, Josie will teach you the handbuilding techniques required to properly form and attach your sections of clay together, producing a bespoke vase based on your template.
No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a splash of creativity!
Mini Paint a Pot
Paint a little pot, have a little fun! Half term activity for kids in Stockport.
One ticket entitles one small person to one small pot and all the materials needed to paint it!
Once you're done, pots will be fired in our kiln and will be ready to collect in a few weeks.
Accompanying adults do not need to buy a ticket, but are asked to stay for the duration of the activity. Feel free to purchase a second ticket if accompanying adult would like to paint a pot of their own!
Poke-a-pot
A surface-design focused ceramic hand-building workshop.
Begin by carving designs into leatherhard blanks. Next, learn how to create a vase or mug by forming clay around a wooden mould. After that it is just poke poke poke until the pot looks great.
No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a splash of creativity!
Your work will be fired and ready for collection 3 weeks from the workshop date.
May 4 Week Improvers Throwing Course (Wednesdays)
Nailed the basics? Looking to throw bigger and better?
A course designed for those with experience on the potter's wheel! Ideal for intermediate participants or those who have previously taken a pottery class and are eager to devlop their skills further. We will have you centering larger amounts of clay, throwing flat ware and larger lidded forms. Build upon existing skills and an array of new techniques.
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Wednesdays; 13th May, 20th May, 27th May and 3rd Jun.
Kind of Fair
NO NEED TO BOOK
A spring celebration! Drop in any time between 2 - 7. Open studio, pottery sale, throw down, food, activities, get involved.
Introduction to Analogue Photography + the Darkroom - 4 week course - May
A 4-week photography course aimed at those wanting to learn more about analogue photography and get to grips with photographic darkroom processes!
This course is ran by artist and photographer Kat Wood.
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8:30pm on the following Wednesdays; 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th May.
Merseyway Workshop's Clay Club
A weekly opportunity to hand build in the pottery studio at Merseyway Workshop. Share ideas, make work.
Clay Club is designed for people who've got to grips with the very basics of ceramic handbuilding and would benefit from a chance to use our space and materials to develop their skills in their own time, on their own terms.
There will be a Merseyway Workshop technician on hand to answer any questions and offer technical support where needed, but this is a social session based in our relaxed studio environment - not a taught lesson in ceramics.
The ticket fee of £12.50 covers 2.5 hours of access to the studio and materials. The session runs weekly. If you create anything that you'd like to keep, there will be a small additional cost for firing. This generally ranges from £3-£15 per object, depending on its size.
BIG LIGHT Darkroom Access
An opportunity to use the darkroom for your own projects
Following the opening of BIG LIGHT, Merseyway Workshop's brand new B&W photographic darkroom, we are excited to release bookable guided darkroom sessions.
Each slot is 2 hours long. You may be sharing the darkroom with one other maker during this time.
These slots are for anybody who feels comfortable to be left to their own devices in the darkroom. There are no technicians on hand during these sessions.
PLEASE NOTE - Regardless of your prior experience, you must have already attended an induction at a 'BIG LIGHT 1-1 Guided Darkroom Session' at Merseyway Workshop before you are able to book for independent Darkroom Access. This is for safety and to ensure we are protecting our equipment and materials.
More info through booking link.
Make a Gargoyle!
A grotesque morning of ceramic hand-building with Aimee of Tramway Arts
Aimee will guide you through you the handbuilding techniques required to properly form mould and attach clay together, producing a wacky gargoyle face of your own design.
No previous experience necessary, just enthusiasm and a splash of creativity!
BIG LIGHT - Make a Ceramic Camera + Use It!
In this two-part workshop, you will enjoy learning a mix of pottery, pinhole photography and photographic development in the darkroom. On Saturday the 18th April, you will be guided through the process of hand-building with clay to create a simple pinhole camera. Over the following month, your cameras will be fired and glazed in our pottery so that they are robust and ready to use. Return on Saturday 16th May to test your cameras. You'll be shown how to use your new camera and then set loose on the streets of Stockport to capture an image. Back at Merseyway Workshop you will be able to develop your image with the support of a technician in our brand new darkroom. You will leave the workshop with your new camera and at least 1 black and white negative photographic print.
DATES AND TIMES:
Saturday 18th April, 10:30AM-12:30PM - Make your pinhole camera from clay.
Saturday 16th May, 10:30AM-12:30PM - Use your pinhole camera and process at least 1 image.
Please ensure that you are available on both dates before booking your spot on this workshop.
BIG LIGHT - Print from 35mm Negatives in the Darkroom
Learn to print black and white photographs from 35mm negatives in this engaging full day workshop with photographer Ela Skorska.
To celebrate the launch of BIG LIGHT, Merseyway Workshop's brand new photographic darkroom, we are hosting an exciting series of photographic and thematic workshops, made possible with support from UKSPF.
In this printing workshop, photographer Ela Skorska will guide you through the process of creating test strips, enlarging and printing photographs from 35mm film. More info can be found through the booking link.
BIG LIGHT 1:1 Guided Darkroom Session
An opportunity to use the darkroom with professional guidance from a technician
Following the opening of BIG LIGHT, Merseyway Workshop's brand new B&W photographic darkroom, we are excited to release bookable guided darkroom sessions.
Each slot is 1.5 hours long, giving you exclusive use of the darkroom during this time. These slots are for anybody, but might appeal to:
-Complete beginners who are interested in an intimate taught introduction to basic darkroom processes (developing photographic film, enlarging and printing from developed B&W 35mm film).
-People who need a refresher on basic darkroom processes or are relatively new to the darkroom.
-People with some experience in the darkroom who would still benefit from guidance from a professional for troubleshooting or support refining your skills.
-Anybody looking to book our 'BIG LIGHT Darkroom Access' sessions who need to go through a mandatory induction in order to do so.
More info through booking link.
Paint a Ramen Bowl!
...and get a free bowl of ramen!
Join us at the Merseyway Workshop for this unique collaboration with Jefes Ramen!
Every bowl decorated will grant you a free ramen at the next pop up ramen shop.
Whether you're looking to unwind in a tranquil space or connect with like-minded people, our sessions offer the perfect opportunity to bring your unique designs to life on handcrafted bisque ware, all thrown in-house.
April 4 Week Throwing Course (Wednesdays)
A course aimed at those wanting to get to grips with the potters wheel!
Suitable for total beginners or those that have already attended a class and want to improve quickly.
We have a small and intimate studio environment, so you will all have plenty of advice and tips from our pottery tutors. Walk away with a set of glazed mugs and bowls!
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8pm on the following Wednesdays; 15th, 22nd, 29th and 6th May.
BIG LIGHT Darkroom Club
A fortnightly gathering in and around the darkroom at Merseyway Workshop. Share ideas, make work.
Following the opening of BIG LIGHT, Merseyway Workshop's brand new photographic darkroom, we are excited to launch a fortnightly darkroom club.
This club is for people who would like to connect with other local creatives and share their ideas and work, meanwhile having an opportunity to use the darkroom facilities that we have on offer.
This is an informal, experimental, collaborative session with a focus on coming together and being social. We keep the group size small to ensure that everybody can engage, but there is no guaratee of space for individual, focused time in the darkroom. If you are looking for darkroom access to pursue personal projects, have a look at booking a darkroom access slot (BIG LIGHT Darkroom Access).
This is not a taught session, so some knowledge of darkroom processes will be useful. If you're a beginner who needs an induction before feeling confident to use the darkroom, take a look at our monthly 1-1 guided darkroom sessions (BIG LIGHT 1-1 Darkroom Session).
Your £5 fee will cover your access and materials costs within reason (a maximum of 2 8x10 prints per person per session). You can pay for further materials on the day if necessary.
Introduction to Analogue Photography + the Darkroom - 4 week course - April
A 4-week photography course aimed at those wanting to learn more about analogue photography and get to grips with photographic darkroom processes!
This course is ran by artist and photographer Kat Wood.
The sessions will run from 6pm - 8:30pm on the following Wednesdays; 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th April.
Merseyway Workshop's Clay Club
A weekly opportunity to hand build in the pottery studio at Merseyway Workshop. Share ideas, make work.
Clay Club is designed for people who've got to grips with the very basics of ceramic handbuilding and would benefit from a chance to use our space and materials to develop their skills in their own time, on their own terms.
There will be a Merseyway Workshop technician on hand to answer any questions and offer technical support where needed, but this is a social session based in our relaxed studio environment - not a taught lesson in ceramics.
The ticket fee of £12.50 covers 2.5 hours of access to the studio and materials. The session runs weekly. If you create anything that you'd like to keep, there will be a small additional cost for firing. This generally ranges from £3-£15 per object, depending on its size.
Rug Club
Rug Club is a 3 week project ran by artist Maddy Venus.
Join one session to get a taster in the skill, or sign up to all three weeks to design and craft your own small recyced rag-rug from start to finish, adopting traditional methods and tools.
Materials will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring old clothes and off cuts to incorporate. (Thick fabric and jersey recommended).
Workshop dates: Tuesday April 7th, 14th and 21st. To attend the whole project, you must book a spot on all 3 dates.
The ticket fee of £15 covers one session, refreshments included.