Only 15 total tickets are available for this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
With the exception of however you get yourself to and from London (and like, shoes and stuff) this is an ALL-INCLUSIVE TRIP: all hotels, meals, ground and rail transportation, and plenty of drinks are included in the ticket cost.
For the moment, we are only accepting PayPal payments through our store—if you wish to transact in another fashion, please just reach out to ben [at] stitchdown.com
The Stitchdown Shoenanza—the world's greatest (only??) group trip series formed around a shared passion for quality footwear—heads off to the cradle British shoemaking known as Northamptonshire, as well as London's shoe-laden Jermyn Street and the Shoegazing Super Trunk Show and Shoemaking World Championships. Not bad for our first European jaunt.
The all-inclusive, community-focused trip will see our group convene in London on Wednesday May 10th for lunch and a trot down the world's single greatest shoe street (Jermyn: home to Tricker's, John Lobb, Cheaney, Edward Green, Loake, Grenson, not one but two Crockett & Jones shops, and more), before hopping a quick afternoon train to Northamptonshire for dinner and a check-in to our jumping-off-point for the next three days.
Each of the next two mornings we'll grab some breakfast before striking out on a shoe journey for the ages, with extended guided visits—complete with ample time for deep Q&A—to nearly factories of the nearly 200-year shoemaking old icon Tricker's, lastmaking magicians Spring Line, and Crown Northampton (who's been quietly cooking up a handwelt line for some time now that we'll get full view of), possibly with another surprise factory stop or two.
We'll also hit Northampton's recently renovated Shoe Museum, then see ourselves led by Spring Line's Michael James on an afternoon walking tour that will visit historical shoemaking points of interest, and some of Michael's favorite pubs to keep us fueled up—before venturing out of town to an absolutely classic country inn for dinner.
Saturday morning it's back to London for the Shoegazing/Shoe Snob Super Trunk Show and World Championships in Shoemaking—one of the greatest assemblages of footwear anywhere in the world—followed by drinks, dinner, and some heartfelt goodbyes.
The community of boot-lovers on the Internet is without question the most amazing one I've ever been a part of. But when we actually come together, in person...there's magic in that, real magic. We encourage you to check out the recap of our Chicago Shoenanza to get a little taste.
We very much look forward to seeing you in London and Northampton this May.
Each all-inclusive ticket includes:
-Exclusive, deeply interactive group tours of the Tricker's, Crown Northampton, and Spring Line factories (possibly with another surprise factory stop or two)
-A truly unique and insightful walking tour of Northampton's past and current most important shoe sites, courtesy of Spring Line's Michael James—complete with pub stops for some cheeky pints along the way
-A guided tour of the recently renovated Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, home to one of the world's largest collections of shoes and shoe heritage
-Discount-laden factory shop visits
-Attendance to the Shoegazing/Shoe Snob Super Trunk Show and World Championships in Shoemaking in London
-Breakfast each morning from Thursday 5/11 to Saturday 5/13
-Lunch each day from Wednesday 5/10 to Saturday 5/13
-Dinner each night from Wednesday 5/10 to Saturday 5/13 (drinks included)
-Rail transport from London to Northampton, and back again
-Ground transport to tour stops within Northampton
-3 nights lodging (5/10, 5/11, 5/12) at the Premier Inn, right in the heart of Downtown Northampton, and 1 night (5/13) at the Jermyn St-proximate Cavendish Hotel London.
[Tickets are refundable up to 30 days before the trip date. Airfare not included in ticket price. Single and double rooms are available. The double-room price is PER GUEST. If you're hoping to purchase a double-room ticket but do not have a roommate already lined up, please reach out to ben@stitchdown.com for assistance before booking.]