Heritage Open Days – Guided walking tour of Clarks Historic HQ

From factory floors and workshops to offices and high streets, discover the people, places and routines of 200 years of Clarks employees.

Step back in time and discover the everyday stories that shaped Street. From factory floors and workshops to offices and high streets, discover the people, places and routines of 200 years of Clarks employees. Join us for a guided walk in their footsteps and uncover the stories behind Street’s working past.

The 2026 Heritage Open Days theme is ‘Everyday Histories’. So Shoemakers Museums is offering a free guided tour which will take visitors around Clarks’ historic headquarters, revealing how the footwear industry transformed a small Somerset village into an internationally recognised centre of innovation and industry.

As we follow the footsteps of generations of workers, you’ll hear stories of apprentice shoemakers, factory employees, warehouse workers, designers and office staff whose daily lives helped build one of Britain’s most famous brands. Gain a fascinating insight into what a typical working day might have looked like in Street through different periods of history.

Whether you’re interested in local history, industrial heritage, architecture, or family stories, this tour offers a unique opportunity to experience Street’s past through the lens of everyday working life. These are small group tours, places are free but limited so please book your ticket soon to secure your place.

Free event
Guided walking tour
Suitable for adults and older children
Tours will last up to 1.5 hours. Tours start and finish at Shoemakers Museum ticket office.
Two tours available at 10.30am and 2pm.
Tickets are limited so advance booking is essential

Tour Highlights

• • • Meet your tour guide at Shoemakers Museum. The old part of the building was called The Grange and was used as a training facility and hostel for young Clarks employees from 1949-1980s
    • Explore the changing history of Clarks headquarters, from tanning to marketing
    • See Anthony the 1910 Cole, Marchant and Morley steam engine which powered the factories and most of Street in its heyday

Accessibility Information

Please note that this tour is not fully accessible. The route includes narrow pavements, uneven surfaces, and historic areas that may be difficult to access for some visitors. As this is a walking tour of the village and historic sites, participants should be comfortable walking for the duration of the tour and negotiating uneven ground and older pathways. Unfortunately, some sections may not be suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

We recommend visitors consider their personal mobility requirements before booking or contact us before booking to discuss your individual requirements.

Heritage Open Days

Heritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year for 10 days in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It offers the public a chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE. This year’s theme is everyday histories: Exploring daily working life through the ages the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker – what did your ancestors do, and what was their daily life like? In 2026 we’ll be exploring stories of working lives, from learning a craft to establishing routines and cherished rituals. What will you discover in our factories, kitchens, dockyards, gardens and beyond?