Our garden
Our beautiful garden and walled orchard are a tranquil oasis. Free entry when the museum opens.
Find us
Visiting our beautiful gardens
The orchard and gardens at Shoemakers Museum are an oasis in the heart of Somerset’s, Clarks Village. Our walled orchard is a tranquil place to enjoy a moment in nature. We grow heritage varieties of cider apples alongside pears and figs. Each January our popular Wassail event ensures a bountiful harvest and apple juice which will be available to buy in the Shoemakers Museum shop.
Help us to create something special
Our vision over the next year is to create attractive landscaped gardens with spaces allocated to nature and to traditional English garden species. We will create specific tranquil seating spaces for pause and reflection. Colourful borders and beds will be a feast for the senses. Spaces dedicated to local wildlife will provide a haven for insects, butterflies, birds and our resident bats and badgers. We are actively fundraising and your donation would be appreciated.
Discover more
Find out how a family brand became a global story. A remarkable journey with over 100,000 objects to explore from fossils to factory machines covering 200 years of shoemaking history.
Find out more about us >Families
We are creating a great family day out. Whatever your age you will be welcome to explore, play, and enjoy the grounds, collections and interactives. With dedicated spaces for learning, reflection and relaxation there’s something for everyone
Your family day out >Learn
Inspire your family and community with the stories behind the shoemakers of Street. A remarkable journey of social and industrial history. What was life as a shoemaker like? Take a walk in their shoes and find out where yours will take you?
Visit our learning hub >What's new
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Collection
Brown Petersburgh
Clarks began making slippers called the ‘Brown Petersburgh’ as a side project to their sheepskin rug business. Made by hand using off-cuts of sheep fleece, these cosy affordable slippers became popular and were the foundation of C&J Clarks footwear business.
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Collection
Crispin Sewing Machine
The 1863 Crispin Sewing Machine was an Innovation in Sole Stitching
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Collection
Latin Verse Machine
‘Eureka’ is a marvellous machine which creates Latin poetry. This remarkable invention was created by Bridgwater eccentric John Clark (1785-1853)
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Collection
Fossils
An internationally important collection of Jurassic fossils collected by Alfred Gillett, a member of the Clark family, and members of the 19th century Somerset Archaeological Society.
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Book your visit
Bookings open in August