Clogs in hand, cheese in sight. This private wooden shoe making workshop at Simonehoeve is a hands-on way to experience Holland, from shaping a clog to touring a working cheese and clog operation. I like the undivided attention you get from the clog maker guide, and I also love the fact that the making part is paired with a cheese farm visit and tastings. One thing to plan for: the workshop is physically demanding, and timing can be tight if your goal is a fully finished clog.

You’re in Katwoude, just outside Amsterdam, at Simonehoeve Cheesefarm and Woodenshoes factory. The experience is designed to fit into about 2 hours, with around 1.5 hours making and engraving your clog, then time for the farm tour and tastings. If you want a more relaxed, sit-and-watch activity, this isn’t that kind of stop.

Key things to know before you go

Private group experience at Simonehoeve so you’re not rushed by a crowd moving at the same pace.

Hand tools plus a machine demo so you see how clogs are shaped in more than one way.

Semi-finished shoe + your finishing work meaning you spend time on carving/engraving instead of starting from scratch.

Beer opener painting is part of the plan because the hands-on clog work can be tiring.

Cheese farm tour with multiple tastings plus Dutch biscuits and fruit wine.

Minimum age 16 due to sharp equipment and tool handling.

Simonehoeve wooden shoe workshop: where you’ll spend your time

Simonehoeve is a combined cheese farm and wooden shoe (clog) workshop site near Amsterdam, at Wagenweg 2 in Katwoude (the meeting point is Simonehoeve, Wagenweg 2, 1145 PW Katwoude, Netherlands). Expect a setting that feels practical and working—not a staged souvenir factory where everything is already done for you.

The format is built around a short, focused session. You’ll have time for the clog-making work first, then the cheese farm tour and tastings. It’s a smart fit when you want an authentic Dutch activity but you’re not trying to blow half a day.

This isn’t an all-day craft class. It’s more like a concentrated “learn how it’s done, do your own work, take home something” experience. That’s exactly why I think it works well for visitors who are short on time.

Wooden shoe making: hand tools, machine help, and your own clog

The workshop starts with a joint explanation and demonstration of how clogs are made—both manually and with the help of a machine. This matters because clogs weren’t one single method. You’ll see how shaping happens with traditional tools and how other steps can be assisted by machinery.

After the demo, it’s your turn. Each person gets the chance to make a wooden shoe from a block of wood (the experience info notes it’s organized for groups starting at 4 people), so you’re not just watching your guide work. You’ll also have instruction while you’re cutting, shaping, and engraving.

Two practical details you’ll notice as soon as you start:

• The work is physical. You’ll be using sharp tools and doing steady effort for carving/engraving.
• You’re working toward something you’ll take home, but the session has a time limit—so you’ll focus on the parts you can realistically complete in the allotted workshop window.

The experience includes a semi-finished handmade wooden shoe, which helps the flow. Instead of carving a whole clog from raw wood from start to finish, you’re finishing and adding your own work within the time frame.

And yes, the workshop includes engraving, so if you’re the type who loves leaving a mark—names, dates, simple patterns—you’ll have a chance to do that.

Why the beer opener painting exists (and why you shouldn’t ignore it)

Here’s a clever part of the design: the workshop includes painting a blank wooden beer opener because the clog-making portion can be tiring.

So, rather than forcing you to push through exhaustion to finish a clog perfectly, the activity builds in an alternative souvenir that still fits the theme. You can paint the beer opener during the workshop, and you can also choose to finish your own wooden shoe if your energy level (and the timing) allows it.

This detail is also backed by real-world experience from past participants. One review specifically pointed out that it was interesting to work with traditional tools, but the time didn’t allow them to finish a full clog in the allocated window—so they were allowed to switch halfway to painting the clog-shaped bottle opener. That’s the kind of flexibility you’ll be grateful for if your first attempt runs longer than expected.

My advice: if you want a clog-shaped souvenir you’ll definitely leave with, don’t treat the beer opener as a backup plan. Treat it as part of the main event.

The cheese farm tour: tastings after the tools

Once your clog-making session wraps up, you’ll move into the cheese farm tour. This includes tastings of different cheeses, plus Dutch biscuits and fruit wine. It’s a logical pairing: you get the craft side first, then you connect that to food—both are major parts of Dutch culture.

The tastings are set up as part of the farm experience rather than an optional add-on. You’ll walk through the facility and sample what’s made there, which is where the visit starts to feel more than just a workshop stop.

One more note: food and drinks beyond the included tastings can be purchased at the restaurant on site. So if you get hungry after the carving work, you’re not stuck hunting for something nearby.

Food and drinks on site: what’s included vs. what you buy

The experience includes tastings during the cheese farm part (cheese, Dutch biscuits, and fruit wine). Beyond that, the restaurant is available for additional purchases.

That setup gives you two ways to manage your meal time. If you prefer keeping the experience focused, you can rely on the included tastings and then eat later. If you’re working up an appetite after tools and carving, you can plan to stay and buy something at the restaurant.

It’s also useful to know that drinks aren’t described as being included outside those tastings. So if you want something specific, expect to purchase it.

Price and value: is $84.58 worth it?

At $84.58 per person, this workshop isn’t a budget craft class. But I think it’s strong value if you zoom out and look at what you’re actually getting for those two hours.

Here’s what’s included:

• Use of equipment for the clog work
• A tour through the cheese and clog farm
• A semi-finished handmade wooden shoe
• A blank wooden beer opener that you can paint

What isn’t included is transport to the farm. And you’re dealing with a short time window, so you’re paying for an organized, guided, hands-on experience—not a multi-session workshop where you perfect every detail.

The private format also matters. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. If you’re traveling with friends or family, that private feel often makes the price feel more reasonable, because you’re not competing with a stream of unrelated visitors for the guide’s time.

Also, there are multiple start times available, which can be useful if you’re trying to build a day around a museum, a canal cruise, or other Amsterdam priorities.

Timing, energy, and expectations: how not to end the workshop disappointed

The total experience is about 2 hours. Approximately 1.5 hours is spent making and engraving clogs, with the remainder for the cheese farm tour and tastings.

Because the schedule is tight, I’d set your expectations like this: you’re going to make real progress and get a take-home souvenir, but you might not finish a clog to the level you’d create if you had a full afternoon at a workshop bench.

This is where planning for the beer opener souvenir becomes smart. The activity includes it for a reason—both energy and time. If you want the highest chance of leaving with something you’re genuinely happy with, treat the beer opener as a meaningful part of your result.

If you want the safest experience outcome, come with moderate physical comfort for tool work. The information notes moderate physical fitness is recommended, and it also includes a minimum age of 16 due to handling sharp equipment. In other words, this is an activity with real hands-on work, not a decorative craft where adults can relax.

Logistics that actually matter: where to meet and how to get there

You’ll meet at Simonehoeve, Wagenweg 2, 1145 PW Katwoude, Netherlands, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

The site is noted as being near public transportation, which helps if you don’t want to deal with parking or long taxi rides. Also, the workshop is described as allowing service animals.

One practical idea: since you’ll be using tools and doing physical work, plan to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little workshop-dust on them.

Who this private clog workshop is best for

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a hands-on Dutch experience with real tools
• Like pairing craft with food (cheese tastings included)
• Are short on time but still want something authentic
• Prefer a private group setup where your guide can focus on your group

It may be less ideal if you:

• Don’t want physical tool work (the workshop is described as physically demanding)
• Need a relaxed pace where you can take your time to fully finish every detail of a clog
• Are traveling with younger kids, since the minimum age is 16

If you fall somewhere in the middle—okay with some physical effort and happy with a souvenir you helped create—this experience is exactly that sweet spot.

Should you book Simonehoeve’s wooden shoe workshop?

I’d book it if you want a structured, guided way to experience Dutch craftsmanship without spending half a day. The combination of making a wooden shoe, plus a cheese farm tour with tastings, makes it feel like more than a single-activity stop.

Go in with one clear expectation: the workshop is short, and finishing a full clog may be tough if you get slower, take more time on details, or simply feel the physical effort. If that happens, the built-in beer opener painting option is there for a reason—and it’s a smart plan, not a consolation prize.

If you’re aiming for a souvenir you’ll proudly use (or display), you’ll likely leave happy because you’ll have real participation, real instruction, and a farm visit that ties the whole experience to Dutch food culture.

FAQ

How long is the Private Workshop for Wooden Shoe Making at Simonehoeve?

The experience lasts about 2 hours.

What’s included in the workshop package?

Included items 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.

Do I need to bring my own materials?

No. The workshop includes the equipment you’ll use, and you’ll also receive the semi-finished wooden shoe and the blank beer opener.

Can I make the wooden shoe myself, or is it mostly watching?

You’ll get the opportunity to make a wooden shoe from a block of wood (the setup is described for groups of 4 people), with joint instruction and demonstrations.

Is the workshop private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What ages are allowed?

The minimum age is 16, due to handling sharp equipment.

Is the activity physically demanding?

The information says travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level, and it’s described as physically demanding.

Where does the workshop start?

The meeting point is Simonehoeve, Wagenweg 2, 1145 PW Katwoude, Netherlands. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

Is transport to Simonehoeve included?

No. Transport to the farm is not included.

What’s the cancellation policy if plans change?

Cancellation is free. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time for a full refund, with cutoff times based on local time.