For when life needs slowing down — a working farm near the Malvern Hills
Pottery Farm Retreats
The Essentials:
Friday evening to Sunday afternoon
Maximum 6 guests — intentionally small
All pottery sessions and materials included
All lunches included — fresh, local, on the farm
Unlimited tea, coffee and cake throughout
Your pieces fired and posted to you after the retreat
Accommodation nearby — brilliant local options from 5 minutes away
Dates and pricing coming Autumn 2026. Retreats would be held in Spring/Summer 2027.
The Farm
Marsh Court Farm sits in the Gloucestershire countryside in sight of the Malvern Hills, not far from the Cotswolds. It's home to Emma’s uni friend Eleanor Hobson and her family, and tenanted by Dan and Louise.
Five hundred goats. A herd of Hereford cattle. Goat's cheese made on site. A paddock where you'll eat lunch in the open air.
It is exactly the kind of place that slows you down the moment you arrive - perfect for pottery.
The Weekend
Friday evening
Arrive, settle in to your accommodation.
Saturday
Morning — meet the group. Then onto the wheel for the morning, learning the basics and, developing our throwing technique
Lunch — outside in the paddock. Fresh local food, goat's cheese from Louise's own herd.
Afternoon — hand building. Different techniques, different forms, a complete change of pace.
Evening — dinner together down the local pub.
Sunday
Morning — turning session. Refining and finishing everything you've made across the weekend.
Lunch — one last farm lunch together.
Afternoon — goodbyes. Your pieces fired and posted out to you after the retreat.
What's included
All pottery sessions with Emma — wheel throwing, hand building, turning
All materials and tools
All breakfasts and lunches on Sat/Sun — fresh, local, on the farm
Tea, coffee and cake throughout
Your finished pieces fired and posted to you after the retreat
Not included: accommodation, Friday and Saturday evening meals
Where to stay
We'd love to offer onsite accommodation — and we're working on it for future retreats. For now, there are brilliant options within 5–10 minutes of the farm — local Airbnbs and a hotel nearby. We'll send a full list of recommendations on booking.
The details
Maximum 6 guests — intentionally small so everyone gets proper time and attention at the wheel.
Dates and pricing coming Autumn 2026. Retreats would be held in Spring/Summer 2027. Sign up below to be first to know.
Pottery Farm Retreats-
About Emma
Emma Wictome is the founder of Pen-y-Bont Ceramics, based in Macclesfield. A Cambridge-trained former science teacher turned full-time potter, she has been teaching, making, and firing from her mill studio since 2022. Over 125 five-star reviews, with a growing community of students, members, and makers.
This pottery retreat is exactly the expeirnce she’d have loved to escape her busy teaching lifestyle.
About Marsh Court Farm
Marsh Court Farm, Eldersfield, GL19 4PN. Owned and run by the Hobson family for almost 30 years and recently tenanted by Dan and Louise. Home to 500 goats, a herd of Hereford cattle and some of the best cheese and meat in the world (in Emma and Ellie’s opinion!).