Mad Hatters Pottery Painting Cafe Arborfield

Henry Street Garden Centre, Arborfield, Arborfield Cross, Reading RG2 9JY, United Kingdom
+44 118 976 2216
$$$ Art cafe , Pottery store
(48 Reviews)
Price Range £20–30

Discover a whimsical escape at Mad Hatters Pottery Painting Cafe, nestled within the charming Henry Street Garden Centre in Arborfield. This delightful art cafe is more than just a place to paint pottery; it’s a sanctuary for creativity and relaxation. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or looking to unwind with friends and family, this cafe offers a tapestry of enriching experiences.

Step inside, and you’ll be greeted by a vibrant atmosphere filled with the laughter of children and adults alike, making it the perfect outing for all ages. The decor is reminiscent of a colorful wonderland, urging you to unleash your imagination as you select from a wide variety of pottery pieces just waiting to be transformed into personal masterpieces. With prices that are as inviting as the ambience, you can indulge in your artistic whims without breaking the bank.

The cafe is not only about pottery; it offers a menu brimming with delightful options. Sip on a Luxury Hot Chocolate (£4.95) that envelops your senses in warmth, or cool down with a refreshing Tooty Fruity Super Smoothie. For those seeking something more substantial, the array of baked goods and light meals, served promptly to your table, ensures that you won't go hungry as you unleash your creativity. The espresso brownie, renowned for its decadent taste—“the most decadent and tasty sweet treat” as one guest put it—is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. And don’t forget to sample the American Style Milkshake (£4.95) or the comforting Yorkshire Tea to make your visit completely fulfilling.

Mad Hatters is praised by its visitors for its relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. As noted by one customer, it’s “the most therapeutic way to spend an afternoon!” Families, friends, and even pet owners have all found joy in their pottery painting sessions, cementing the cafe's reputation as an inclusive space for creativity. The attentive staff are frequently commended for their helpfulness and warmth, making your visit even more delightful. Customer ‘Ashleigh Pyke’ noted, “The staff were amazing; I would definitely be coming again,” which speaks volumes about the level of service you can expect!

Even on busy days, the team strives to ensure that your experience remains memorable, as highlighted by customer feedback regarding their quick resolutions to any service hiccups. Whether you’re creating a beautiful piece of pottery or simply enjoying a peaceful moment with a hot drink, the cafe succeeds in wrapping you in a cocoon of comfort and creativity.

So, gather your loved ones and step into the enchanting world of Mad Hatters Pottery Painting Cafe. The moment you leave, you’ll carry with you not only your unique creations but also fond memories that you will cherish for years to come. From pottery painting to delectable refreshments, this art cafe is truly a gem in Arborfield that deserves to be experienced!

Service options
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
Coffee
Dining options
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours

Monday

10:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 04:30 PM

Saturday

09:30 AM - 05:30 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 04:30 PM

48 Reviews
Ashleigh Pyke

13 Sep 2025

It was a great experience lovely peace and quiet just what I needed last Monday. The staff were amazing I would definitely be coming again when it’s not as busy 10/10 for a great session. My finished bowl came out amazing when I picked it up yesterday. Looking forward to be doing more very soon.

K Dean

27 Aug 2025

A good large countryside cafe in the garden centre. Plenty of inside and outside undercover seating. Two serving tills, good for when it’s busy, with cakes, drinks and food selections. Meals are brought to your table in a reasonable time. Good variety of hot and cold meal options and breakfast all day. A variety of hot and cold drink options but the coffees could be better as once the coffee granules are steamed they were left to one side whilst the milk was steamed which makes the coffee bitter.(basic barista knowledge/training) Easy access for wheel chairs and buggies with toilets. Outside seats look over the plants in the garden centre which is nice. Reasonable price and good service. Would recommend but watch the coffee making with the cafe staff if you do not like bitter coffee. Would recommend.

Ed's Equestrian

26 Jul 2025

Such a lovely place, very relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere no matter what age you are, as three adults we had such a good time. Perfect way to spend an afternoon, would definitely come back! Recommended.

Sophie Barclay

16 Jul 2025

What a lovely pottery painting experience, right from booking the reservation for our table up to walking out the door with a smile on our faces. A great selection of pottery pieces to choose from. Which are all reasonably priced. Lots of vibrant colours to choose from. Hot and cold drinks and food to purchase too at good prices. Smiley staff ") Highchairs available for younger ones. Just a really lovely experience IMO.

Saira Khaliq

13 Jun 2025

The pottery painting was very fun and relaxing. Our drinks took some time to arrive but it was a busy Sunday. The manager was incredibly apologetic, helpful and offered us some baked goods. The espresso brownie was the most decadent and tasty sweet treat I’ve ever had - you can definitely tell it was home baked by someone who knows their stuff. Despite the initial hiccups, we were impressed by how swiftly and well it was rectified and are thankful to the manager for giving us a great experience.

F

13 Jun 2025

The most therapeutic way to spend an afternoon! Our party consisted of all ages - toddler to grandparents - and we all throughly enjoyed our first experience of pottery painting. Brilliant idea having a cafe too - although we did not get to try the baked goods, they looked delicious and we will most definitely try them next time. Already looking at another date to go back!

Miss Cazzy Bee

05 Jun 2025

Due to issies with the delivery company we couldnt do exactly the pottery we wanted but we understand that this was unavoidable on the company’s behalf. The staff though were fantastic. They were really helpful, explained the process and also incredibly friendly. We came back the same day to finish our printing as we enjoyed it so much and will definatly be back in the future.

Rosie Porter

31 May 2025

We attended a pawprint session with our dog. The session was really well run, the staff were so accommodating and helpful, food and drinks were great and we made a lovely heart ceramic with our dogs paw prints on that we will treasure forever. I'm sure we will be back :-)

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