Clogs are harder than they look. At Simonehoeve, you’ll spend about 2 hours carving and shaping a wooden shoe at a woodenshoes factory, then wind down with a tour of their cheese farm and Dutch tastings.

I like that this is a private workshop setup, so you get steady attention from the clog maker guide while you learn traditional tools (both manual and machine methods). I also like that you’re not leaving empty-handed: you get a semi-finished wooden shoe and you can paint a clog-shaped beer opener if time runs short.

The big consideration is the clock and the effort. The workshop is physically demanding, and even with instruction, the schedule can be tight—one guest couldn’t finish a full clog and shifted to painting the beer opener instead.

Key things to know before you go

• Private instruction time: You’ll be working as a group of your choosing, with guidance throughout the process.
• Manual + machine methods: You’ll see how clogs are shaped by hand, and how the machine is used along the way.
• One take-home made for real life: You start with a semi-finished clog, so you still bring something home even if you don’t finish the full version.
• Built-in backup souvenir: When the hands get tired, the clog-shaped beer opener gives you a fast, satisfying option.
• Cheese farm tour right after: The experience ends with tastings of cheese, Dutch biscuits, and fruit wine.
• Short total time: About 1.5 hours is dedicated to making and engraving, so you’ll want a steady pace.

A hands-on clog workshop at Simonehoeve (not a museum stop)

This experience is a real working setup: Simonehoeve is a cheese farm and a woodenshoes factory, so you’re learning in the place where the crafts actually happen. That matters, because it changes the vibe from watching to doing. You aren’t just hearing history—you’re making something that looks Dutch the moment the block of wood starts to become a clog.

You’ll get a joint explanation and demonstration of how clogs are made, including manual work and machine work. You also get the key tricks of the trade explained as you go, which is where many short workshops fall down—too much “watch me” and not enough “try it.” Here, everyone gets a chance to make a wooden shoe from a block of wood (from 4 people), so it stays hands-on rather than spectator-heavy.

One more thing I appreciate: they factor in effort. The workshop includes painting a blank beer opener because the carving and shaping part is physically demanding. That’s a smart design choice for a short tour, because it helps you finish the experience with something you’re actually proud to carry home.

The 2-hour plan: carving and engraving, then cheese tastings

The timing is tight but clear. Expect about 2 hours total, with roughly 1.5 hours spent making and engraving clogs. Then you shift into the cheese farm tour and tastings.

During the making portion, you’ll start with a semi-finished situation—there’s already progress built into what you take home, while you focus on your part of the process. You’ll work the wooden block, follow the guide’s demonstrations, and then move to engraving. Even if you’re not a craft person, the structure is practical: watch the steps, copy the steps, and adjust as the guide corrects your technique.

When the clog portion ends, the tour keeps its momentum by moving straight into the cheese side of Simonehoeve. You’ll tour their cheese and clog facility, and you’ll get tastings of cheese, Dutch biscuits, and fruit wine. If you love food travel, this is the payoff moment—your hands are tired, but you’re rewarded with something you can eat and compare.

The only timing issue to plan for: finishing a full clog from start to finish may not be realistic for everyone in the allotted time. One guest example said they couldn’t finish a clog and were offered the option to switch halfway to painting a clog-shaped bottle opener. If you come in expecting a fully finished clog masterpiece, you might feel rushed.

What you make (and what you take home) when time runs short

This is one of those tours where the wording really matters: you get a semi-finished handmade wooden shoe included. That’s important because it changes how you should judge the experience. Even if the workshop ends before your personal version is completely finished, you’re still taking home a real wooden shoe souvenir made through the process—just not necessarily completed to a perfect final level by the end of the 2 hours.

You also get a blank wooden beer opener as part of the included items, and you can paint it. The workshop includes this for a reason: carving is hard on your arms and hands. Painting a clog-shaped opener gives you a quicker win later in the workshop, and it’s also a fun craft change of pace if you’re feeling fatigue.

One practical tip: treat the workshop like a “best effort” craft session. Your goal is to shape, engrave, and learn the method—not to perfectly produce a finished clog on a strict timer. If you find yourself running out of steam, the beer opener option is built into the structure, not tacked on as an afterthought.

And yes, the tools are sharp. The minimum age is 16 due to handling sharp equipment, so don’t assume this is a casual activity. It’s hands-on, and it requires focus and control.

The cheese farm stop: tastings that make the work feel worth it

The cheese farm tour is not just a stroll with a few comments. You’re given a tour through the cheese and clog farm, and the tasting portion is designed to feel like an experience, not a quick bite. You’ll taste cheese, Dutch biscuits, and fruit wine.

This is valuable for two reasons. First, it ties the wooden shoe craft to Dutch food culture in a single block of time—work and reward, with the same place doing both. Second, the tastings give you something concrete to remember, especially on a short itinerary when you can’t fit a full-day farm tour.

Also, the tour notes that food and drinks can be purchased in the restaurant. So if your group wants more than what’s included, you’re not stuck waiting until you leave. That flexibility is useful if you’re traveling with different appetites—some people love to taste everything, others want more classic cheese pairings or extra snacks.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at $84.58

At $84.58 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t a bargain craft workshop. But it does offer a value mix that’s easy to understand: private group format, expert instruction, equipment use, a semi-finished wooden shoe take-home, and a cheese farm tour with tastings.

What you’re paying for is time and access. Clog making isn’t a skill you learn from a brochure, and the machine + manual demonstrations take space and setup. You also have guided help while you work with tools, which reduces guesswork and makes the experience safer and more enjoyable.

The included take-home items are the other part of the value equation. The semi-finished wooden shoe means you’re not dependent on finishing everything within a tight schedule. And the blank beer opener gives you a second souvenir option, which is especially helpful because the workshop is physically demanding and some people may not complete the full clog in time.

Finally, there are multiple start times. That matters when you’re fitting this into an Amsterdam-area day plan. You can choose a slot that works better for your energy level and the rest of your schedule.

Practical tips: stamina, tools, and getting there

This tour asks for moderate physical fitness level. The work is physically demanding, mainly because carving and shaping wood takes effort and steady hand control. If your plan for the day includes lots of walking after this, consider scheduling the clog making earlier rather than later.

Also plan for a “sharp tools” environment. The minimum age is 16 because of handling sharp equipment. If you’re traveling with teens, confirm everyone is comfortable working with tools and following safety instructions.

Transportation is another practical factor. Transport to the farm is not included, and the meeting point is Simonehoeve at Wagenweg 2, 1145 PW Katwoude, Netherlands. The good news is that it’s near public transportation, so you may have options depending on how you’re getting around the Amsterdam area.

You’ll check in at SimonehoeveWagenweg 2, 1145 PW Katwoude, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. That back-to-start structure keeps it simple if you’re coordinating with train or taxi plans.

One last “do this so you enjoy it more” tip: wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little work-shop messy. You’ll be working with wood, and even if you’re careful, it’s still a craft environment, not a museum.

If your group needs an activity that balances hands-on craft with food, Simonehoeve does that in one compact package. It’s a nice change from the usual Amsterdam pattern of canals and galleries—especially when you want something truly Dutch in your hands.

Should you book the Private Wooden Shoe Making Workshop at Simonehoeve?

I’d book this if you want a short, practical experience where you make something you can keep, and you also want a food-based payoff at the end. The best fit is for couples, small friend groups, or anyone who likes workshops more than lectures—because this is structured around doing, not just watching.

I’d think twice if your main goal is to fully finish a perfect wooden clog from start to finish during the workshop time. The schedule is tight, the work is physically demanding, and there’s a built-in reality check with the option to switch to painting the beer opener when time is short.

If you’re flexible and you’re excited by the idea of learning traditional techniques—even if your final output is “good enough to be proud”—this is a great value. And if plans change, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the workshop?

The meeting point is Simonehoeve, Wagenweg 2, 1145 PW Katwoude, Netherlands, and the tour ends back at the same location.

How long does the private workshop and cheese tour take?

Total duration is approximately 2 hours, with about 1.5 hours focused on making and engraving the clogs.

What’s included in the price?

Included are use of equipment, a tour through the cheese and clog farm, a semi-finished handmade wooden shoe, and a blank wooden beer opener that you can paint.

What food and drinks are included?

You’ll have tastings as part of the cheese farm tour, including cheese, Dutch biscuits, and fruit wine. Food and drinks can also be purchased in the restaurant.

Do I need to bring transport to the farm?

Transport to the farm is not included. The venue is near public transportation, which may help depending on your plans.

Is there a minimum age for the workshop?

Yes. The minimum age is 16 because sharp equipment is used.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.