Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
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
First of all I must tell you all that it's FREE entery!!? I count not believe it.i expected to be around for about an hour,how wrong was I, I ended up being there just over three hours wandering and looking around. The VOLUNTEER that showed me around had all the time in the world to show and explain in great detail of every question that I put to him. He impressed me so much that I am going back later this year for the day course!!!. BTW if you are like me and love old hand tools, then this is your hevan.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have aways passed the Museum 3 time a day some days. Then I visited with a mate visiting with his children in the school holidays.
I found it very interesting it was great for the kids they got all there questions answered
me as well. It a great pease of history I was very inlightend.
My mates kids have maid me a real leather belt, they are making leather things for thire mate.
Every one should go.
I found it very interesting it was great for the kids they got all there questions answered
me as well. It a great pease of history I was very inlightend.
My mates kids have maid me a real leather belt, they are making leather things for thire mate.
Every one should go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit even though I have been living in Walsall for 49 years!
Perhaps it's because before it was out of sight out of mind...however I have been driving past it since the new Tesco and college new buildings and there it was on show making me curious and planning a must visit sometime.
Today was the day...free...just walk in.
I asked the gentleman on the desk about the route, he said it was on two floors and easy enough to follow through.
So I began to explore. ..first the shop..then a walk way into the ground floor exhibitions...followed by a short flight of stairs as I believe there are no lifts here.
Interesting displays of old toys on this floor. Lovely views outside through the windows. Don't be alarmed as you walk further along as there are two dummies dressed as men working with leather. At the back there is an area to have a personalised key ring made by one of the staff.
There is a cafe and shop in this museum. ..I will be definitely be returning.
Oh I forgot to say I am a vegetarian and I always had a deep rooted fear of this place for my own silly reasons. ..however I was wrong. Please don't hesitate. ..come and enjoy a relaxing experience of Walsall's past, present and future.
thanks
Perhaps it's because before it was out of sight out of mind...however I have been driving past it since the new Tesco and college new buildings and there it was on show making me curious and planning a must visit sometime.
Today was the day...free...just walk in.
I asked the gentleman on the desk about the route, he said it was on two floors and easy enough to follow through.
So I began to explore. ..first the shop..then a walk way into the ground floor exhibitions...followed by a short flight of stairs as I believe there are no lifts here.
Interesting displays of old toys on this floor. Lovely views outside through the windows. Don't be alarmed as you walk further along as there are two dummies dressed as men working with leather. At the back there is an area to have a personalised key ring made by one of the staff.
There is a cafe and shop in this museum. ..I will be definitely be returning.
Oh I forgot to say I am a vegetarian and I always had a deep rooted fear of this place for my own silly reasons. ..however I was wrong. Please don't hesitate. ..come and enjoy a relaxing experience of Walsall's past, present and future.
thanks
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Learned a lot today. Two reasons for our visit - our home is a converted Tannery and the other half is taking up leatherwork as a hobby. Lots of help and advice on doing the leatherwork and researching our building when we return home. Many thanks to Paul and Wendy, lovely chatting to them.... and free admission, wow! Highly recommended for all ages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This little museum is staffed by the friendliest people you could want to meet on a cold Saturday afternoon. We were greeted with warmth and good humour, and guided round the museum for an hour or so by Claire, the museum s answer to Google! She told us facts and figures, anecdotes and information in the most entertaining way and what we don t now know about the leather industry isn t worth knowing.
On some days, retired leather workers are in the museum demonstrating various skills and techniques, sadly not on Saturdays.
Entry is free, and although the café is temporarily closed, the staff will make a coffee or a cuppa for a small charge.
On some days, retired leather workers are in the museum demonstrating various skills and techniques, sadly not on Saturdays.
Entry is free, and although the café is temporarily closed, the staff will make a coffee or a cuppa for a small charge.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a god time here, was interesting and free. Got to make a key ring and had a lovely coffee in the tea room
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Walsall leather museum is brilliant. Logically laid out with great displays. Gives a real sense of the leather working industry in Walsall. Having said this, the staff are the crowning glory of the museum. All the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, however, Paul and Wendy are a unique asset having nearly 100 years experience working in the Walsall leather industry between them. They run a small workshop on the top floor but were more than happy to stop and talk to me about the museum and the industry. Highly recommend making a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
