FAQ's

Visiting Outside

Where is Outside located? Outside is located in Bantham, South Devon, less than a mile from Bantham Beach and within easy reach of Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe and Dartmouth.

What facilities are at Outside? Our two-acre site includes a café, pottery studio, outdoor skate bowl, shaping bay, sauna, farm, shop and flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces.

Can I visit without booking anything? Of course. You don’t need to book a class or event to visit Outside, you’re welcome to stop by for coffee, food, the shop or simply to spend time in the space.

Do you take bookings? For most daytime cafe visits we operate on a walk-in basis however we do accept bookings via whatsapp especially for larger groups of 6 or more.

What is Friday Social?
Friday Social is our weekly evening gathering with changing seasonal menus, natural wine, music and shared-style dining. The menu is shared a few days in advance and we take both bookings are walk-ins.

Is Outside dog friendly? Yes, dogs are welcome on-site but we ask they stay on a lead at all times. Dogs are not allowed inside the main cafe building, however we do have a dog-friendly conservatory area.

Is there parking on-site? Yes, we have free parking available on-site for visitors attending the cafe, pottery studio, skate bowl, workshops and events. Please note we do not allow overnight parking or camping on-site, however there are many great nearby campsites in Bantham and the South Hams which can easily be found online.

Is Outside accessible? We have one disabled parking space in our main car park closest to the pathway which leads to a wheelchair accessible entrance. Please give us a call on 01548705044 if this space is occupied or you would like further assistance and one of us will meet you at the gate and show you to a parking area closer to the cafe.

Events & Workshops

Are your events seated or standing? Our gigs are unreserved standing events. If you require seating for accessibility reasons, please get in touch after booking and we’ll always do our best to accommodate where possible. Film nights and feast events are unreserved seated events and we recommend arriving early if you would like to sit together as a group.

Do you charge booking fees? No, as an independent venue we do not add booking or admin fees to tickets purchased through our website.

Can I hire Outside privately? Yes, Outside is available for private hire for workshops, celebrations, brand launches, team events, gatherings and shared meals.

Skating

Do I need to book a skate session? Once you have purchased a skate pass there is no need to pre-book, simply check in at the cafe before skating.

Can beginners skate at Outside? Yes, the bowl is open to all abilities from first timers to experienced skaters.

What happens if it rains? For safety reasons the bowl has to be closed during wet weather. We recommend checking conditions before travelling.

Do you offer skate lessons? We run skate lessons and occasional workshop sessions throughout the year.

Can I book a private skate session? Yes, private skate sessions are available from £150 for groups of up to 10 people. Please get in touch to arrange these.

Do you offer annual skate passes? Yes, annual skate passes are available for regular skaters wanting unlimited access throughout the year.

Shaping Bay

Is the shaping bay open? Our shaping bay is currently being moved into a new home on-site and shaping workshops will return soon.

Will shaping courses come back? Yes, new shaping workshops and surfboard shaping sessions will be announced soon. Sign up to our mailing list and socials for updates.

Pottery Studio

Are beginners welcome? Absolutely. Many of our pottery classes are designed for complete beginners and all experience levels are welcome.

What pottery classes do you offer? We run wheel throwing and hand-building classes including introduction taster sessions, weekly courses, membership sessions, family workshops and private classes.

What equipment do you have in the pottery studio? Our ceramics studio is fully equipped with four Shimpo pottery wheels, a Nabertherm kiln, hand-building tools, banding wheels, slips, underglazes, moulds and a wide range of shared studio equipment. The studio was fitted out with all new equipment when we opened in 2022 and is designed to support both beginners and regular makers.

Who teaches the pottery classes?Our pottery classes and courses are led by our four tutors Fran, Steph, Brogan and Ella, each bringing different skills and approaches to ceramics including throwing, hand-building and sculpture.

What do I need to bring to a pottery class? We provide tools, materials and aprons, so you just need to bring yourself and wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting messy.

How long are pottery sessions? Most pottery sessions are two hours long. Please check individual workshop pages for exact timings.

Can I keep the pottery I make? Yes, we offer glazing and firing for £5 per item using our in-house clear glaze. Pieces are usually ready around 8 weeks after the class but you will be notified via email when they re ready to collect.

How many pieces will I make? Most people make one or two pieces during an introduction throwing session. We focus on quality over quantity to reduce waste and unnecessary kiln firing.

Do you offer pottery memberships? Rather than traditional memberships, we run Member Sessions which are self-led studio sessions held every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for regular potters. To attend, you must have previously completed one of our 10-week pottery courses or similar elsewhere. Session Packs can also be used for discounted access to Member Sessions.

What are Session Packs? Session packs are discounted credit bundles designed for regular visitors, giving flexible access to pottery sessions, workshops and classes across the space.

Can Session Packs be shared? Yes, session packs can be used to bring a friend or family member along to a class with you, however the pack holder must also attend the session. Packs cannot currently be shared independently without the original holder attending.

Do Session Packs expire? No, session packs currently have no expiry date.

Can Session Packs be used on all classes? Session packs can be used on our introduction classes and member sessions but are not currently valid on longer courses or selected guest tutor sessions.

Can I book a private pottery class? Yes, we offer private pottery sessions for birthdays, celebrations, team days and group get-togethers.

Shop

Do you sell gift cards? Yes, digital gift cards are delivered instantly by email and can be used across workshops, pottery sessions, skate passes, events and the shop. We also have gift vouchers that can be used in the cafe for food and drink, these need to be purchased at the till.

What do you sell in the shop?
Our shop stocks a curated mix of skate, surf and lifestyle brands alongside ceramics, books, vinyl, gifts and products from local makers.

Do you post online shop orders?
Yes, we aim to dispatch online shop orders within four working days. We’re currently working on expanding our online shop to include more of the range available in-store, but for now we’d recommend popping in to browse the full selection.

What is your returns policy?
For online purchases returns are accepted within 28 days of purchase. Please contact us via email with your request. We do not offer refunds for in-store purchases. Items may be exchanged or returned for store credit within 14 days of purchase, with proof of receipt. ALL Items must be unused and in original condition. If an item is faulty or damaged, please let us know as soon as possible. You are entitled to a full refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase, with proof of receipt.