Autumn Museum and Archive tours

Fascinating insights into the stories behind the exhibitions, and exclusive behind the scenes views of the collections with a tour of the archive.

Shoemakers Museum offers guided tours of the museum galleries, and exclusive tours of the archive strong rooms. Both provide a fascinating insight into the collections and the stories behind the objects on display. Let our collections team be your guides sharing their expert knowledge and answering your questions.

The dates below are public tours. Come and join others to see behind the scenes. Or if you want to bring your group for a tour contact us and we can book a tour to suit your group.

Museum tours

Step into the lives of the Shoemakers who made Clarks shoes. Explore the highlights of the collection with members of the collections team. Meet the shoemakers. Explore the creation of Street as a factory village from its Quaker roots to global influence. Discover the fascinating evolution of shoemaking from handmaking to life on the factory line. Enjoy a journey through retail and advertising history from 1880s to the current day. This tour is an opportunity to share a journey with the experts who manage our collections, get an insight into the highlights of the collection and the stories behind them.

Maximum group size is 20 so please book your place early to avoid disappointment.

Dates 2026

•  9 Sept | 7 Oct | 4 Nov | 2 Dec

Price £7 with an admission ticket

 

Archive tours

An exclusive small-group behind the scenes tour of the archives at Shoemakers Museum. A fascinating insight into the work of the museum’s archivists and curators. Take a look inside the museum’s, climate controlled stores and strong rooms. See some of the collections which aren’t on display.

Unfortunately accessibility is limited in the archive – Please note that the archive can currently only be accessed via some uneven ground and a set of steps and within the archive which is laid over two floors there is no lift, nor wheelchair access available.

Dates 2026

• 23 Sept | 21 Oct | 18 Nov | 16 Dec

Price £12 with an admission ticket

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