Shaping Figures - All in a day's work!

The Symington Building was part of the first mechanised corset factory in England.. Built in the 1880s and home today to Harborough District Council, Harborough Museum and other shared public services, a guided tour of the building unveils areas usually closed off to the public. Delve into the history of the factory workers through original archive footage and artefacts, and learn how the corset factory went on to shape the community of Market Harborough as it ambitiously aimed to ‘dress the world’.
Starting as a family business, R & W H Symington Co Limited became one of the largest mass producers of corsets and undergarments in the world, spanning all the way from the 1860s to the late 1900s, evolving with more than a century of fashion. They created iconic products such as ‘The Liberty Bodice’ which was manufactured for over 70 years. Come and join us to discover stories of the factory workers who made this possible, with real corsets and footage of their production along the way. Display boards will also be up on weekdays and tour days from 10am-3pm!
This event is part of Leicester & Leicestershire New Wave project, inspired and developed by a young heritage co-curator working together with Visit Harborough and Harborough Museum.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

Tours 10:30, 11:30 & 12:30

Monday 14 September:

Display boards up from 10am-3pm

Tuesday 15 September:

Display boards up from 10am-3pm

Wednesday 16 September:

Display boards up from 10am-3pm

Thursday 17 September:

Display boards up from 10am-3pm

Friday 18 September:

Display boards up from 10am-3pm

Saturday 19 September:

Tours 10:30, 11:30 & 12:30

Location & directions

Harborough District Council and Harborough Museum, The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7AG

Directions:

The nearest pay & display car park is Symington Way car park a short walk from the rear of The Symington Building.

Contact on day:

Carole Troake

Telephone number:

+447719918911

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Bookings for the guided tours are made online and confirmed by email. Places are limited. If you are unable to attend please let us know to cancel so that your unused place can be offered to someone else. You don't need to book to view the displays.

Booking contact name:

Carole Troake

Booking telephone number:

+447719918911

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

https://visitharborough.com/events/2026/09

Booking opens:

14 Jul 2026 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

05 Sep 2026 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

The onsite lift is available for access to the third floor. No children under 12.

Additional information

Please note that essential renovation works to restore and preserve the condition of parts of The Symington Building may be taking place.

Max number of people:

20

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

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