Has anyone tried Aero factory visit/tour?

[high-maintenance]

*Grenfell clothing reversible nappa leather harrrington jacket*

Hi, loungers!

I am planning on visiting London / Scotland next year and the idea of visiting my favorite leather brand struck me...

Has anyone done Aero factory visit?

Is it worth visiting?

And can you buy their in-stock apparel directly from the factory? (I suppose there is a showroom?)

+ Can you get there by train and on foot? (I don't want to rent a car...)

Thanks a million in advance!

 

[GHarris]

View attachment 84351
*Grenfell clothing reversible nappa leather harrrington jacket*

Hi, loungers!

I am planning on visiting London / Scotland next year and the idea of visiting my favorite leather brand struck me...

Has anyone done Aero factory visit?

Is it worth visiting?

And can you buy their in-stock apparel directly from the factory? (I suppose there is a showroom?)

+ Can you get there by train and on foot? (I don't want to rent a car...)

Thanks a million in advance!

I visited earlier this year. It's very accessible by train, as long as you don't mind travelling all day. In my case it was a long day - electrical failures on the line near Doncaster gave us a 2 and a half hour delay getting home... this worked to my advantage, though, as it meant my expensive train ticket was entirely refunded! Go to Edinburgh first and then across to Galashiels. It's a very easy walk to the factory/shop from the train station. Print a map or use a smartphone, but it isn't very difficult.

They do have a showroom. They won't always necessarily have your size in stock - I was expecting to be measured and to just place an order - but in my case they did and I went home wearing a lovely Irvin.

I didn't ask for a tour of the factory but I've heard you can do so. It isn't a huge place and they don't seem to be at all precious about letting visitors look around. I had to walk through the factory floor to get to the gents!

I'd say it's worth a visit.

 

[Harris HTM]

View attachment 84351
*Grenfell clothing reversible nappa leather harrrington jacket*

Hi, loungers!

I am planning on visiting London / Scotland next year and the idea of visiting my favorite leather brand struck me...

Has anyone done Aero factory visit?

Is it worth visiting?

And can you buy their in-stock apparel directly from the factory? (I suppose there is a showroom?)

+ Can you get there by train and on foot? (I don't want to rent a car...)

Thanks a million in advance!

I visited in April 2016. There is a train from downtown Edinburgh to Galashiels, then it is 10 mins walking.
It is definitely worth visiting. You won't forget the smell.
There is a showroom with many jackets. If you're lucky enough you can find a jacket that suits you.
After visiting the showroom on the ground floor, we were given a tour of the factory on the basement.

 

[high-maintenance]

I visited earlier this year. It's very accessible by train, as long as you don't mind travelling all day. In my case it was a long day - electrical failures on the line near Doncaster gave us a 2 and a half hour delay getting home... this worked to my advantage, though, as it meant my expensive train ticket was entirely refunded! Go to Edinburgh first and then across to Galashiels. It's a very easy walk to the factory/shop from the train station. Print a map or use a smartphone, but it isn't very difficult.

They do have a showroom. They won't always necessarily have your size in stock - I was expecting to be measured and to just place an order - but in my case they did and I went home wearing a lovely Irvin.

I didn't ask for a tour of the factory but I've heard you can do so. It isn't a huge place and they don't seem to be at all precious about letting visitors look around. I had to walk through the factory floor to get to the gents!

I'd say it's worth a visit.

Thanks for your detailed answer.

I am thinking of leather/shoe pilgrimage. 'Lewis leathers' -> Regent street -> North Hampton factory shop -> 'American Classics' -> 'Real McCoy' -> 'Aero leathers'

Dan ke schoen

 

[high-maintenance]

I visited in April 2016. There is a train from downtown Edinburgh to Galashiels, then it is 10 mins walking.
It is definitely worth visiting. You won't forget the smell.
There is a showroom with many jackets. If you're lucky enough you can find a jacket that suits you.
After visiting the showroom on the ground floor, we were given a tour of the factory on the basement.

Thank you,

I am feeling excited already!

 

[eugenesque]

Was thinking of visiting during the weekend of a possible work trip to London but I understand it's closed during weekends.

 

[high-maintenance]

Was thinking of visiting during the weekend of a possible work trip to London but I understand it's closed during weekends.

I can only imagine that level of frustration...

My condolences to you and your trip...

 

[Sloan1874]

There's also the rest of Aero's stock available ie. jumpers, jeans, hats, shoes etc.

 

[Cooper A-2]

Can only highly recommend to go there.
Travelling in UK (or whats left of it....) is a bit different if compared to French or German standards ( TGV/ICE..)
But all in all travelling is OK and you will meet a lot if very niceand genuine people.
Aeroleather people are extremely nice and helpful.
They are the top and crown of your trip and journey.
Please go there and enjoy the ride plus all great jackets/products/service/people.

 

[high-maintenance]

There's also the rest of Aero's stock available ie. jumpers, jeans, hats, shoes etc.

Their shoe selection looks amazing.
Amazing detail at this range of price.
+ I really dig their vintage style trousers. (Though I am not ready to wear suspenders yet...)

 

[high-maintenance]

Can only highly recommend to go there.
Travelling in UK (or whats left of it....) is a bit different if compared to French or German standards ( TGV/ICE..)
But all in all travelling is OK and you will meet a lot if very niceand genuine people.
Aeroleather people are extremely nice and helpful.
They are the top and crown of your trip and journey.
Please go there and enjoy the ride plus all great jackets/products/service/people.

I sure will. Excited already!

 

[eugenesque]

I

Their shoe selection looks amazing.
Amazing detail at this range of price.
+ I really dig their vintage style trousers. (Though I am not ready to wear suspenders yet...)

I know right! Was thinking of going to try out the town boots with danite soles.

 

[ButteMT61]

Oh yeah, go. Not only was the drive there (from Durham, UK) amazing, we got to stop in some neat smaller towns like Kelso, etc. and shop. The Aero factory is easy to drive by but is certainly worth going to - I grew up in a place/time where we had field trips to places like Bethlehem Steel, Corning glassworks, etc. to see how things were made. I love going and seeing how and who makes things.

I went in 2011 for my 25th anniversary. While the current (in 2011) management couldn't be bothered to meet me, I picked up my very first truly custom jacket there and got a tour from the son of the now-gone manager.
Got to see all the neat hides, went to the basement and walked around - the building itself is old and I love that too.

While the jacket itself turned out rather unflattering on me, it was an amazing experience, and I'd like to go back again one day. For sure if I'm anywhere near there, I'll go back.

 

[tropicalbob]

Thanks for your detailed answer.

I am thinking of leather/shoe pilgrimage. 'Lewis leathers' -> Regent street -> North Hampton factory shop -> 'American Classics' -> 'Real McCoy' -> 'Aero leathers'

Dan ke schoen

Don't forget Walker Slater on Princes Street in Edinburg. Tweed Nirvana.

 

[Sloan1874]

And if you do get to Walker Slater, definitely pay a visit to Mellis, a fantastic cheeseshop, next door.

 

[eugenesque]

And if you do get to Walker Slater, definitely pay a visit to Mellis, a fantastic cheeseshop, next door.

Picked up a waxed cotton duffel bag from walker slater in London before. Good stuff. Serving me well as a gym bag.

 

[photo2u]

I visited long ago and met Ken. Very nice visit. I also visited flight suits ltd. Their main spoke person Dave Marshal, was very cool and took me around their workplace. He has a very personal and fruitful relationship with workers. It was clear to me that those two places were a nice place to work for.

 

[Harris HTM]

Oh yeah, go. Not only was the drive there (from Durham, UK) amazing, we got to stop in some neat smaller towns like Kelso, etc. and shop. The Aero factory is easy to drive by but is certainly worth going to - I grew up in a place/time where we had field trips to places like Bethlehem Steel, Corning glassworks, etc. to see how things were made. I love going and seeing how and who makes things.

I went in 2011 for my 25th anniversary. While the current (in 2011) management couldn't be bothered to meet me, I picked up my very first truly custom jacket there and got a tour from the son of the now-gone manager.
Got to see all the neat hides, went to the basement and walked around - the building itself is old and I love that too.

While the jacket itself turned out rather unflattering on me, it was an amazing experience, and I'd like to go back again one day. For sure if I'm anywhere near there, I'll go back.

I (luckily) never had any dealings with the old management there but I can assure you that Denny made us feel really welcome and didn't hesitate to go once or twice to the basement to look for different sizes. I'd really love to visit them again.

 

[Sloan1874]

Also, the thing about Aero's factory is the noise when it's in full flight - those horse hides take a hammering (literally)!

 

[SJC]

View attachment 84351
*Grenfell clothing reversible nappa leather harrrington jacket*

Hi, loungers!

I am planning on visiting London / Scotland next year and the idea of visiting my favorite leather brand struck me...

Has anyone done Aero factory visit?

Is it worth visiting?

And can you buy their in-stock apparel directly from the factory? (I suppose there is a showroom?)

+ Can you get there by train and on foot? (I don't want to rent a car...)

Thanks a million in advance!

When you do, please post a lot of pictures!!!