The foundation stone of the Barker brand was laid in a humble cottage in the heart of England's shoe manufacturing industry in 1880,
by an enterprising Northamptonshire boot maker. Arthur Barker was a skilled craftsman and natural innovator, whose waterproof peg-sole boots were highly sought after
(the pegs would swell when wet and make the sole waterproof).
Only the most carefully selected leathers are used and the uppers are shaped on the last by hand. Many other traditional shoe making methods are still employed including slow natural drying and polishing.