The official opening date for Somerset's newest cultural attraction has been confirmed.

The Shoemakers Museum, which charts the 200-year story of Clarks, will open to the public on 18th September 2025 at Clarks Village in Street.

Timed to coincide with the bicentenary of the iconic footwear brand, the museum features four galleries filled with never-before-seen objects from the Clarks archive, voices of former factory workers, and exhibits exploring the social, design and community history behind one of Britain's best-known shoemakers.

Set within a striking new building designed by Purcell Architecture, the museum combines a 16th century manor house and a 17th century barn with a contemporary glass extension. Visitors can explore recreated shopfronts from the 1950s and 1980s, promotional films, original artwork and prototypes — as well as the famous foot gauges used to measure generations of schoolchildren.

One of the more unexpected features is a fossil gallery beneath the museum floor, showcasing marine reptile remains discovered during construction of the original factory. Some of the specimens were collected by Alfred Gillett, a member of the Clarks family and namesake of the Alfred Gillett Trust, which leads the museum project.

Rosie Martin, director of Shoemakers Museum, said: "This is a museum about people – their craft, their community and the shoes that became part of life's biggest milestones. Whether you remember your first Clarks or you're discovering their story for the first time, we can't wait to welcome you."

Visitors will also find a café serving food made with ingredients sourced within a 35-mile radius, a retail space offering archive-inspired merchandise, and a seasonal events programme for families, schools and group tours.

Shoemakers Museum will be open daily from 10am to 5pm, 361 days a year. Tickets are available now at www.shoemakersmuseum.org.uk