In Things to do

Luton has long been associated with the UK’s hat industry and in the 18th century, it was one of the top places for hat production in the UK, hence the nickname for the town’s football team.

Historically, there were two distinct crafts that were associated with Luton; the straw hat trade, which consisted of women’s hats and bonnets, and the felt trade, caps and men’s hats. At the beginning of the 1800s, the Napoleonic Wars blocked imports of straw plait and hats from the continent, so entrepreneurs in Luton set up a variety of factories to supply national markets. As a result, the town expanded significantly and by the mid 20th centuries, the hatting industry so dominated the town, that hat making has become synonymous with Luton, so much so that even after a decline in demand after the First World War, it is still considered to be the hub of the hat trade.

The Luton Hat Trail offers two different tours of the town and is a great way to discover more about Luton and its heritage. Whichever trail you choose to follow, gives you a chance to see the region’s unique architecture and the incredible character of the former factories.

Trail One covers half a mile and will take you around the Bute Street area where you can see a host of former factories and workshops, as well as crossing the Platter’s Lea conservation area. Trail Two is longer, covering a mile and takes you around some of the oldest parts of Luton, including the High Town Road conservation area. This trail features some of the more domestic buildings and smaller workshops and factories. Both trails start and end at the Hat Factory in Bute Street. The Hat Factory was refurbished in the 1990s, becoming an events venue having previously been the site of several factories, including two manufacturers that focused on straw hat making. There are refreshments available at the railway station and at the many pubs and restaurants along the route. Both trails also point out some of the older public houses and inns that can be found in Luton, with some dating back to the 1830s.

Find out more about the trail and the routes here.

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