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Many visitors, the museum may evoke memories of getting measured for their first pair of childhood footwear on a somewhat cold metal gauge. For others, the cabinets of pristine Wallabees and Desert Boots may bring to mind youthful obsessions with American hip-hop or Britpop movements.

Nostalgic moments will also return vividly for many local people whose relatives made Clarks shoes for generations, as the box-fresh Shoemakers Museum welcomes visitors in the Somerset village of this historic location.

Nicky Dowding commented that some guests may be astonished at how far this quintessentially UK brand, which is celebrating its bicentennial year in 2025, spread across the world. “At home, Clarks is often linked with school shoes, but among fans across the world it’s perceived in distinctly unique ways,” she added.

Dozens of examples of footwear are on display, with some showcases resembling vibrant, abstract pieces of art. Dowding mentioned that a significant number were in storage: “Among the biggest tasks we’ve had while developing the exhibition is actually selecting the items to showcase? Which stories do we want to tell? Because there is just so much.”

Fans of hip-hop and the TV series the acclaimed show are likely to hot-foot it to the examples of the iconic shoes, designed in the late 1960s, and inspired by the moccasin.

The this style was at first considered too radical in Britain but turned out to be hugely popular in the United States and was adopted by members of the NYC hip-hop band Wu-Tang Clan, who sported them, wrote about them, and featured them in art work.

In later years, these shoes played a starring role in the first episode of the series when the main character, the science instructor turned illicit drug manufacturer, wore a set, together with unflattering white briefs.

Another highlight of the museum is its account of the desert boot, inspired by the journeys of a Clarks relative to Burma and India during the second world war. They became a staple of the 1960s subculture in the UK and were also worn enthusiastically by Liam and Noel Gallagher.

Clarks’ religious originators may have been surprised that their brand became such a favourite among celebrities.

The inaugural display in the museum is a simple pair of house shoes made from scraps of a woolen mat around the early 19th century. The exhibition describes how the company rapidly grew into one of the most important in the English West Country, and how the family did philanthropic deeds in the region and farther afield.

A family descendant, chair of the trust that conserves and promotes the Clarks story, said the firm flourished because of its Quaker roots. “One of the Quaker testimonies is truth, and that ensures that you’re very honest in all your transactions,” she added. “People trusted them. The household made some money through the venture. This allowed them to become charitable and work for votes for women. They were active in the fight against enslavement in the US.”

A business archivist said his preferred part of the exhibition was a collection of equipment from the Desert Boot production line, which was located at the Weston-super-Mare plant. The factory closed a quarter of a century ago and the footwear are now made in the far east.

Crumplin said: “The majority of the people that operated on that production line worked there for decades.” An employee was nicknamed after the ballet dancer because he moved so swiftly and efficiently between the two stations he worked on. “They were so proficient at what they did.”

If the Wallabees and boots will attract music fans, detailed recreations of Clarks shoe shops will evoke memories for many more people.

The museum’s director said: “In my view, people will be able to find themselves in the exhibit. People will recall having their sized on the gauge so that their first shoes were correctly fitted. It was a ceremony, a milestone.”

Among the displays features her daughter’s initial pair, with a instant photo of her in the store. “It’s precious to me,” Martin said. “It unlocks a treasure trove of reminiscences.”