Dr. Martens
Made in England boots
In the mid-1940s Klaus Maertens, a German doctor, came up with an air-cushioned sole; his friend Dr Herbert Funck, a plastics expert, helped turn it into a PVC sole heat-sealed to the upper. In Wollaston, Northamptonshire, a village then known for hard-wearing footwear for soldiers, miners and labourers, the Griggs family had made footwear since 1901, and in the 1950s Bill Griggs learned of their sole. Dr. Martens dates its first pair to 1 April 1960; a week later Bill Griggs took it to a trade show for orders. Most Dr. Martens are now made in Asia; the Made in England line is made by hand at the original Wollaston factory.
The boots
Shown here are the Vintage 1460 and Vintage 101 lace-ups and the 2976 Vintage Chelsea, from the Made in England line made at the original Wollaston factory. Other Dr. Martens boots aren't included, as most Dr. Martens are made in Asia.
£200–£299
View product ↗
£200–£299
View product ↗
£200–£299
View product ↗Pair with your boots
Had you heard of Dr. Martens before today?
Only the Made in England boots listed here have been checked as made in Britain. Most standard Dr. Martens are made in Asia.
Where they're made
Wollaston, Northamptonshire
Wollaston, Northamptonshire, at Dr. Martens' original factory. This covers the Made in England boots only; Dr. Martens says most of its standard footwear is made in Asia.
Made in Britain — how we know
Dr. Martens' Made in England collection page and its own support article both say this line is made in Wollaston. The UK product pages for the 1460, 101 and 2976 each say they're made at the original factory. Checked October 2026.
- Maker’s product page
Checked 2 October 2026Vintage 1460 Quilon Leather Ankle Boots — Dr. Martens UK ↗ - Maker’s range page
Checked 2 October 2026Made In England Footwear — Dr. Martens UK ↗ - Maker’s about page
Checked 2 October 2026Where are Dr. Martens made? — Dr. Martens support ↗ - Maker’s product page
Checked 2 October 20262976 Vintage Made in England Chelsea Boots — Dr. Martens UK ↗ - Maker’s product page
Checked 2 October 2026Vintage 101 Quilon Leather Ankle Boots — Dr. Martens UK ↗
Something to add?
Spotted something missing, out of date or wrong? Let us know.