Step inside the Claypit and you’ll get a warm welcome and find space bursting with community vibes and full of creativity. The Claypit has truly become a community hub to meet, learn and leave, what can sometimes be a messy world outside. Every day of the week individuals, family groups and friends find fun and relaxation in equal measures on courses and unique clay experiences.
The Claypit was founded by ceramics expert Rachel Swift who moved to Oswestry not knowing know anyone in the area. “I had my skills, my love of clay, but no network,” she says. “I was really missing the old me and the sense of community and friends I had at the British Museum. My career and life had completely changed after moving and having kids and it was time for me to put something new and exciting together. Starting the Claypit became my way to find myself again, but I’ve actually ended up creating something even better.”
What began less than 3 years ago as a one‑woman studio with Rachel teaching every class and running the business alone, has now grown into a vibrant creative space. A skilled team of technicians keeps the studio running smoothly, while local freelance tutors bring their own expertise to the studio. Together, they deliver up to ten classes each week, including a new monthly Family Session, offering a space that feels relaxed, welcoming and genuinely focused on learning.
More than 500 people have already taken part in the Claypit’s popular Taster Sessions and hands‑on experiences which is a testament to the studio’s popularity. For many, the sessions are booked out of curiosity or as a thoughtful gift. “People usually just come to try it,” Rachel says, “and then sign up for a six‑week course. Not just because they want to learn more, but because they’ve finally found their thing. There’s a creative connection when you work with clay that’s so visceral, it goes back thousands of years, so it’s impossible to ignore once you’ve got the clay bug.”
“It’s not unusual for people to meet here and then start meeting up outside the studio,” Rachel notes. “That’s when you know it’s working.”
Rachel’s vision was to create a place that could support anyone on their creative journey from complete beginner to skilled potter. The studio now supports 17 members who form the heart of the Claypit community, with open access to make their own work. Sophie, a studio member and Claypit technician, says the space has been transformative. “I’m studying to become a counsellor and I’m quite new to the area, so the Claypit has been a real lifeline and a place to switch off, meet people and explore my creativity.”
“There’s something about working with clay that opens people up,” Rachel explains. “You’re focused, you’re using your hands, and the pressures of daily life seem to disappear. Conversations happen naturally when you’re quietly working side by side at the table or on a wheel.”
The Claypit offers everyone the opportunity to find connection, with others and with their own creative side. The bonus is you also have the things you’ve made as a physical reminder. “I’ve found slowing down and working with your hands is something people are craving, ” says Rachel. “One of my studio mottos is: always choose progress over perfection. It’s not about the end result. It’s about enjoying the moment and seeing where it takes you.”
As Rachel puts it, “We’re not just making pots. We’re making connections.”
Ready to start? Find out more at www.claypit.co.uk, email rachel@claypit.co.uk and follow @claypit_studio.
