Paint It Yourself Pottery Co

You walk in expecting a pottery studio and find yourself face-to-face with shelves of blank ceramics waiting for paint. That's the appeal of Paint It Yourself - you pick your piece, grab a brush, and get creative without needing a pottery wheel or prior experience. It's genuinely relaxing, the kind of activity where time disappears and you don't realise you've been concentrating for two hours.

Families with younger kids will get the most from this. There's zero skill barrier, so a six-year-old and their grandparent can sit side by side and both leave with something they've made. Teenagers who claim they're "bored" on holiday also tend to soften once they're actually painting - it's far more engaging than it sounds. Solo travellers and couples looking for a quiet afternoon activity will find it equally appealing.

The setup is straightforward: you select your unglazed piece - plates, mugs, figurines, plant pots - paint it however you like, then leave it with them to glaze and fire. There's usually a fee for your piece and a small kiln charge, though exact pricing varies. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing this properly; rushing defeats the purpose entirely.

If you're camping nearby at Cheltenham Racecourse Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or any of the glamping spots around the area like Coxhorne, this works as a rainy-day solution or a break from the walking trails. It won't be the highlight of your trip, but it's a proper afternoon well spent, especially if you're not blessed with brilliant weather.