Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
This museum is a little gem, in the black country. It is very child friendly with activities to do, badge making, leather key ring making. They followed the photos on the trail, to get to the end and won a small prize. The Old Hall exhibit was very informative and features the very first stainless steel toast rack and teapot in the world made just down the road in Bloxwich. We spent 1/2 a day here. Entry is free, but you can leave a donation. Cafe attached to it as well. Worth a look.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a very enjoyable and informative small museum set very appropriately in an attractive workshop environment. We saw how leather is prepared and had the added benefit of an excellent hands on demonstration with an expert leather craftsman. The cafe was good and the shop sold good quality leather items and competitive prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We had wanted to visit the Leather Museum for some time - and finally managed it this weekend. Very well worth it.
We had expected exhibits to tell us the history of Walsall and the leather industry - but hadn't expected that the tour guide would make it so fascinating - or that volunteer leather worker Keith would be able to keep us so enthralled with an interactive presentation which everyone present so obviously enjoyed.
Well done to the museum people - you made it come to life for us.
In addition to that the building - which is over 100 years old - made this much more than a "trip to see things".
Please, powers that be, don't ever move the museum, as its heritage is so much a part of the whole experience.
All in all a very good experience - thank you.
We had expected exhibits to tell us the history of Walsall and the leather industry - but hadn't expected that the tour guide would make it so fascinating - or that volunteer leather worker Keith would be able to keep us so enthralled with an interactive presentation which everyone present so obviously enjoyed.
Well done to the museum people - you made it come to life for us.
In addition to that the building - which is over 100 years old - made this much more than a "trip to see things".
Please, powers that be, don't ever move the museum, as its heritage is so much a part of the whole experience.
All in all a very good experience - thank you.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a small excellent museum covering the growth of the trades for which Walsall became famous. Leather trades from tanning to the production of saddlery, harness, bits for bridles, spurs and riding accessories. Also handbags and fashion items.
The layout is well done and explanatory and we were lucky enough to attend a talk by a leather worker of now who makes beautiful hand bags and purses in Walsall.
The museum is not large, has a good shop and a lovely friendly cafe serving delicious home made food.
The town itself has suffered from terrible planning and it is SO important that a museum that shows the proud history of the town is kept, treasured and maintained.
The museum is walkable from the station but I do have to say that the signposting from the station could be better. None of the signs are where you need one!
The layout is well done and explanatory and we were lucky enough to attend a talk by a leather worker of now who makes beautiful hand bags and purses in Walsall.
The museum is not large, has a good shop and a lovely friendly cafe serving delicious home made food.
The town itself has suffered from terrible planning and it is SO important that a museum that shows the proud history of the town is kept, treasured and maintained.
The museum is walkable from the station but I do have to say that the signposting from the station could be better. None of the signs are where you need one!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We took 3 grandchildren, a boy of 13 and 2 girls 10 and 9. There was something to interest all of them. They enjoyed the treasure trail, although at times this led to them racing off to find the clues before we 'olds' had had time to peruse the exhibits.We were very impressed with Pat and Paul in the workshop who taught them some leather stitching and making key rings.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Really great visit made extra special by spending 2 hours with volunteer Keith. Made our weekend visit from Somerset. Now a proud owner of a free leather key ring
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have been to this museum many times and it never fails to entrance me. It has a nice welcoming gift shop and some fascinating exhibits about the history of leather and lots of exhibits that you can touch.
The newest section is about a local firm who made metal kitchenware, which was fascinating. The cafe on the way out is a nice place to refuel. However, I remember a few years ago it used to have the most wonderful home made cakes and they seem to have stopped that now, which is a shame.
The newest section is about a local firm who made metal kitchenware, which was fascinating. The cafe on the way out is a nice place to refuel. However, I remember a few years ago it used to have the most wonderful home made cakes and they seem to have stopped that now, which is a shame.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
for a free admission place its very good. the chap who does the demo in the workshop is brilliant with the kids well worth a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Loved visiting this Museum. It's a very informative and interesting museum. There was plenty to see and lots of exhibits.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A small museum. Well laid out, well displayed and an excellent record of the leather industry in the area including a wealth of examples and workshops showing tools and processes.
The museum shop sells good examples of quality leatherware at reasonable prices.
The museum shop sells good examples of quality leatherware at reasonable prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I first visited Walsall Leather Museum in 1988 and have visited on numerous occasions ever since. A rich source of the towns leather trade history and associated trades. The staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable, always keen to assist and help with any questions. On many occasions I have taken advantage of their reference library for research which contains many catalogues, books and periodicals on the saddlery and lorinery trade. Well worth visiting and so much to take in.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Made a visit today and what a treat. Excellent museum with knowledgeable staff and all for free!Learnt a lot about the leather trade in a superb visual and auditory display. It would be such a shame if Walsall was to lose this educational attraction. Will visit again to see the garden and enjoy the cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was very happy to make a return visit with another guest - and delighted to find a different `extra'. It was an explanation of skins/leathers, sewing machines and descriptions of other machines for splitting, skiving and edging (cannot recall correct name). Lovely little shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting, we learnt so much and now look at leatherwork totally differently- going again
John and Margaret from Bridgnorth
John and Margaret from Bridgnorth
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting. History of leather in Walsall
Source: google.com
Today we visited the leather museum with our class from college. It is surprising to me that so many people had never been to such a unique attraction that offers such interesting information about the history of our own town. When in Walsall, this attraction is what I would consider the top one to see! Very interesting and educational. Would definitely recommend it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Passion, is what struck us this cold Saturday morning...Welcomed as soon as we walked through the door from staff that actually looked like they wanted to be there. A very nice lady then welcomed us and briefed us on the lay out of the museum and asked if we wanted a free tour, we declined (wish we hadn't ) then she said Keith will speak to you once you complete the tour. Having spent 30 minutes looking and reading through glass cabinets and touching various leather hides, we ended up in demonstration area with KIETH... What a passion this man has for his trade, and what a difference this made.
Keith is obviously a true tradesman and gent, explained to me and my wife all the stages from taking the skin to turning it into a hand crafted British made piece of leather art.(only wish i had asked for his business card!!) Well worth seeing some of Walsall"s history. Great couple of FREE hours spent speaking and learning from some very nice people.Thank you
Keith is obviously a true tradesman and gent, explained to me and my wife all the stages from taking the skin to turning it into a hand crafted British made piece of leather art.(only wish i had asked for his business card!!) Well worth seeing some of Walsall"s history. Great couple of FREE hours spent speaking and learning from some very nice people.Thank you
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We went on a rainy Saturday in January looking for some local history to share with a visiting relative who had a physical and speech disability. We were given a friendly and informative welcome at the reception desk. Looking around the museum was free! Downstairs there were lots of exhibits to look at and our relative was able to use a lift up to the upper floor. The workshop was upstairs staffed by a volunteer who was a skilled leather craftsman. He was able to tell us about the leather industry, show us different types of leather and answer all our questions. He checked with us if we had time for a quiz and then we had to guess which leather belonged to which animal. What I particularly liked was his ability to make each member of the group feel valued.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wow if you visit walsall this place is a must go to attraction, it certainly makes you proud to be to be from the local area, we knew the obvious things like the saddle production as in saddles centre and football team the saddlers, but this gives you so much more than that, didn't realise we had so much history in the town, also if any teachers read this you must organise a school trip there you will love it,and staff so helpful and friendly
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Have meant to visit this place for years and am so glad I did! The tale of Walsall's industrial history as a manufacturer of fine leather goods. The tour guide showed us round the exhibits, in the former saddlery factory, with lots of examples to see and touch. Good explanations on posters, fascinating pictures of what went on plus a chance to make our own leather key ring and see a craftsman at work. A fascinating insight into the area's proud heritage. Will be back!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
How lucky are we to have such an interesting and factual insight into our local heritage at Walsall Leather Museum. I visited today (Friday) with my husband and brother and we spent a relaxing hour and a half strolling through the workshops soaking up information and enjoying pictures from the past which culminated in meeting wonderful volunteers upstairs who we discovered had actually spent their working lives in this industry. Thank you all, not least forgetting the warm welcome at the desk, for making our visit so very memorable. We will definitely return and look forward to taking refreshments in the newly reopened cafe in Feb. Icing on the cake!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great place to visit and learn .Look out for the family fun days they are free and soon much fun for all the family
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This excellent and unique facility is doing a wonderful job despite the uncertainty of its future. Walsall Council is struggling to balance their budget and the Leather Museum is in their last to close. BUT this may not happen. Please support the Museum and send your emails of support to Walsall Council or to Mike Gasson the head curator at the museum.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on a Saturday and whilst it was fairly quiet we thought that it was very interesting, and made all the better thanks to the talk given by Keith whom works locally manufacturing Leather products and whom gave us a good insight into what to look at and consider.
The Council may be looking to relocate this museum, which I think would detract from the visit, so I would recommend that you get there ASAP.
The Council may be looking to relocate this museum, which I think would detract from the visit, so I would recommend that you get there ASAP.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great insight into the history of Walsall, the demonstration was excellent and there are a good variety of displays to educate about leather products and industry
Source: google.com
