Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
We visited this amazing free museum on a Saturday, and were lucky enough to have two volunteers doing demonstrations. Both were incredibly knowledgeable and really nice guys. They were very accomodating with our 10 month old as well. The museum has lots of informative displays, an excellent shop with refreshments as well. It's a shame places like this are threatened with closure!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A brilliant place to go for all ages. Informative, interesting and all well laid out and presented. Loved the demonstrator Paul - he made our visit, could have listened for hours about his experiences in the leather trade. Definitely recommend and visit again.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely and friendly guide, who was very knowledgable. Excellent museum. Well worth a visit, if you have the time.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent a really interesting couple of hours here and all for free. Amazing!
The volunteers were so knowledgeable and friendly and made it all come alive. The fact that they work in the trade and still volunteer in their own time really shows their passion. Bill, in particular, was a real character and gave us lots of laughs; the others though were great too.
Upon leaving we noticed a room downstairs with lots of activities for children. One pity was that the cafe is closed - it could bring in some much needed and well deserved revenue for this precious slice of the town's past.
A definite recommendation.
The volunteers were so knowledgeable and friendly and made it all come alive. The fact that they work in the trade and still volunteer in their own time really shows their passion. Bill, in particular, was a real character and gave us lots of laughs; the others though were great too.
Upon leaving we noticed a room downstairs with lots of activities for children. One pity was that the cafe is closed - it could bring in some much needed and well deserved revenue for this precious slice of the town's past.
A definite recommendation.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Came with a group, had a brilliant time, must be the best attraction in the Midlands.
Everyone was very informative and very friendly.
Everyone was very informative and very friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a great place to visit. Volunteers make you very welcome. There are "hands on" things to do.
Lovely place to spend an hour or so and it's just across the road from a great selection of eateries. Go on market day and make the most of some fresh produce that can be picked up in the main town centre.
Lovely place to spend an hour or so and it's just across the road from a great selection of eateries. Go on market day and make the most of some fresh produce that can be picked up in the main town centre.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I live fairy local and knew about it but I have never been there.
We finally visited and it was so much more interesting than I have expected. Definitely recommended.
We finally visited and it was so much more interesting than I have expected. Definitely recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had wanted to visit this museum for some time. Visited on a Saturday when there were two leather craftsmen displaying the art of saddle making and the making of fancy goods. Both of these were volunteers who work in the trade during the week and come to the museum on Saturdays to explain their craft. Spent about 20 minutes with each of them and it really opened my eyes about the art of saddle making. Top tip to visit when a craftsman is there. The café has now closed but refreshments are available in the shop. Museum is free entry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited on a whim whilst in the area with some visitors from Canada, What a delightful surprise it turned out to be. Informative and enjoyable, with a most friendly approach from everyone we met.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great afternoon looking at the informative displays and chatting to the friendly staff. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Walsall is a great place for leather. The Queen has her handbags made in the town although you can't actually buy them here. What you can do, though, is to celebrate the heritage of leather in the town, and this is a great place to visit to do just that. They also have a really good little gift shop - ideal for presents.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent an excellent afternoon in Walsall visiting the amazing Walsall Leather Museum and Garden
There was loads to see and do in the 'REAL' factory and we all took a Souvenir home with us, to remind us of old Walsall Industries and the bygone era's of the 1800's and the early 1900's.
Hand crafted modern leather goods made in Walsall were on sale in the refurbished factory units
A great day out for anybody interested in bygone British trades and industries
The Museum was easily accessible by Bus and is very close to Walsall Bus Station
There was loads to see and do in the 'REAL' factory and we all took a Souvenir home with us, to remind us of old Walsall Industries and the bygone era's of the 1800's and the early 1900's.
Hand crafted modern leather goods made in Walsall were on sale in the refurbished factory units
A great day out for anybody interested in bygone British trades and industries
The Museum was easily accessible by Bus and is very close to Walsall Bus Station
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friendly volunteers in a relaxed atmosphere. Easy way to learn about the leather industry and a enjoyable afternoon. It`s free to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Decided after many years of living near to this attraction that I would take my boys. Pleasantly surprised by the time we spent here.
Boys seemed to enjoy it especially choosing what to have on their own leather keyrings
Boys seemed to enjoy it especially choosing what to have on their own leather keyrings
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visited here on Easter Monday for their Fun Day, this is the 3rd funday we have been to here and it’s great. We arrived at 10.30 when it opened and left about 3pm. There were plenty of activities and things for the Children to do, make key rings 50p, badges 30p, paper flowers free, egg bunting free and a little egg hunt for sweet prize at the end, face painting for a small donation and glitter tattoos for a small donation, there was a puppet show that was on three times throughout the event and a magic act with 3 different shows on too. All in all a great way to spend our Easter bank holiday with rubbish rainy weather as it was all indoors. There is a cafe there only popped in to see how much the drinks are, 80p a fruitshoot, and menu of plenty of other things. But there is nothing stopping you going prepared with your own food and drinks, which makes it not an expensive day. I definitely recommend coming here when they have a fun day on! But I do also know they do little activities throughout the school holidays to pop in and do.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
In town for the day, I was keen to visit the Museum which highlights the importance of the Walsall leather industry. Only a five minute walk from the centre and well set out with many displays and information boards. Not busy on a wet Saturday morning, but I can imagine that school parties and Bank Holidays will create a different atmosphere. Well worth a visit, with friendly and welcoming staff adding to the experience. Entrance is free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Always welcomed by lovely staff.
Free attraction with local pay car park.
Plenty of hands on and guides to help.
Nice gift shop
Refreshments available
Run craft classes for adults and children, my 11 loves them.
Free attraction with local pay car park.
Plenty of hands on and guides to help.
Nice gift shop
Refreshments available
Run craft classes for adults and children, my 11 loves them.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very interesting look at the industry that Walsall is famous for. A perfectly judged museum with just the right type and amount of information in its exhibits. Staff very friendly and helpful and the hands-on keyring stamping was a great touch.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This museum is a great entry into the history of the leather industry in Walsall. The guides in the museum during our visit had all worked in the leather industry and were therefore able to provide first hand details of their experiences working in the industry. Children will also enjoy the visit as there are "hunts" to find various toys that are hidden within the displays.
After your visit you can down to the cafe where you can enjoy an excellent lunch, delicious cakes or high tea. .
After your visit you can down to the cafe where you can enjoy an excellent lunch, delicious cakes or high tea. .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I know it is a poor reason to visit a museum but I had to occupy myself in Walsall for the morning of thursday 8th february. I had had a family connection with Walsall for many years so thought I should make the effort to go to this museum.
What a joy it was especially the pleasant and helpfull receptionist with his advice. I had been in production some years ago and always had an interest in industry and this museum was an excellent example of how one should be constructed, informative but also hands on with a true craftsman demonstating how good leather was fashioned.The day I was there two school groups were being shown round and from the chattering they were obviously engrossed with what they were seeing, more the pity that the leather, saddle trade has reduced so much due to cheap imports. What was also interesting from my point of view was the linking of saddle making to foundrys make brasses and all allied industries.
Well worth spending an hour or so at this old leather works building and soaking up the past atmosphere connected to leather, brasses etc as well as some history of Walsall.
Keep up the good work
What a joy it was especially the pleasant and helpfull receptionist with his advice. I had been in production some years ago and always had an interest in industry and this museum was an excellent example of how one should be constructed, informative but also hands on with a true craftsman demonstating how good leather was fashioned.The day I was there two school groups were being shown round and from the chattering they were obviously engrossed with what they were seeing, more the pity that the leather, saddle trade has reduced so much due to cheap imports. What was also interesting from my point of view was the linking of saddle making to foundrys make brasses and all allied industries.
Well worth spending an hour or so at this old leather works building and soaking up the past atmosphere connected to leather, brasses etc as well as some history of Walsall.
Keep up the good work
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A small "FREE" museum. To get the best experience I would recommend the guided tour. The staff made it a very enjoyable tour and were very knowledgeable about the leather industry within the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had passed the Leather Museum hundreds of time and made the decision to pop in and take a look round. My daughter had told me that it was boring (although she had not visited) but I found it really interesting and spent an hour walking from room to room. I really enjoyed the Old Hall exhibition as it brought back memories for me of the late 60s and 70s! Sadly didn't have time to visit the nice little cafe. Parking nearby. All in all very enjoyable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here today with a family spent about an hour here and loved it we made key rings that cost 50p each so cheap we all made one kids love it the man called Ian was very friendly and helpful showed us some thongd kids loved it thank you very friendly place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was such a good free museum. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the guided tour was really informative. If you get a chance to have a guided tour I'd certainly recommend it, as although the exhibits and information panels are good, having somebody explain the types of leather, tools, working conditions etc. really brought things to life.Another advantage of taking a guided tour is the hands-on opportunity to make a keyring. This really appealed to my children and all for the bargain price of 50p.
Visiting a leather museum may seem a bit obscure, but when you learn how important the industry was (and still is) to Walsall you really begin to appreciate the context and it really helps that the collection is housed in an old leather factory.
It was an excellent way to spend a rainy morning, and can be combined with a visit to the art gallery which is just a short walk away.
Visiting a leather museum may seem a bit obscure, but when you learn how important the industry was (and still is) to Walsall you really begin to appreciate the context and it really helps that the collection is housed in an old leather factory.
It was an excellent way to spend a rainy morning, and can be combined with a visit to the art gallery which is just a short walk away.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Easy to find-just off junction 10 of the M6 motorway. Pay and display car parking available just over the road. Entrance is free. There is a wealth of information available inside this quaint Victorian factory, on the leather trade in Walsall, describing the town's rise into an international saddle making centre.
There are exhibits of saddlery and leather goods as well as a workshop manned on the day we visited by Wendy and Paul, who between them have nearly 100 years of service in the leather industry-and nearly as many tales to tell! They really made our visit even more worthwhile.
You can make your own leather key ring and buy items that have been made in the workshop from the on site shop. Definitely worth a visit!
There are exhibits of saddlery and leather goods as well as a workshop manned on the day we visited by Wendy and Paul, who between them have nearly 100 years of service in the leather industry-and nearly as many tales to tell! They really made our visit even more worthwhile.
You can make your own leather key ring and buy items that have been made in the workshop from the on site shop. Definitely worth a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
