Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Went in a group of 28,not really sure what to expect , but found the visit very interesting, and it was fascinating to see how saddles, which Walsall is famous for making, (Hence the football team is known as the saddlers.) are constructed .There are gardens outside , quite a tranquil oasis in the heart of a busy city.
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Have visited before so did not wait for the demonstrations which we know from past experience are very interesting and informative with opportunities to make small leather items yourselves. Lots of insightful displays on the history of Walsall and leather making and the shop stocks a range of leather goods that are still made locally. The cafe is in a nice setting with a courtyard and has plenty of choice that is reasonably priced. For visitors who want a longer visit to Walsall, they may wish to include the refurbished Arboretum or the new art gallery to make a full day out.
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What a wonderful and informative museum. This is not my first visit as my family used to live in Wolverhampton and they brought me here as they knew I would be interested in the history and the role that the leather industry played in Walsall. This time I came with a U3A group and we found the staff very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The guided tour and demonstrations were excellent - would definitely recommend a visit and the refreshments were great too.
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What a lovely surprise to be taken into an authentic work room and to have a demonstration with the tools of how the leather was worked on. On then into another room where we were shown the method of hand stitching the leather which is still used today as it is far stronger than machine stitiching. Here also were the machines that had been used. Then we were shown the hides and the methods for decorating to make cow hide look like snake , crocodile etc. A very interesting experience within the actual work place with all the history. We also had a very substantial buffet lunch. which we were all ready for.
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I went to the leather museum as part of an organised coach trip.The staff were very welcoming when we arrived. they split us into three groups so that they could do the guided tour and everybody would see and hear what was going on. the tour was very informative and we learned a lot about the leather industry especially in Walsall.
We had refreshments on arrival and a very varied buffet lunch. Altogether a very good visit. It is free to enter.
We had refreshments on arrival and a very varied buffet lunch. Altogether a very good visit. It is free to enter.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took some friends, travelling from India, to visit today. We were offered a tour by Claire which I happily agreed to as I knew I wouldn't be able to explain all we saw. What a privilege to have our own personal tour guide
Claire was well informed and brought excellent insights into the history of leather work in Walsall. I was very proud to learn we made handbags for Queen Elizabeth 2nd 😊 My friends enjoyed making a key ring and really appreciated all they saw.
Fantastic and free!! A great afternoon out
From past experience I can confirm cafe is great too
Claire was well informed and brought excellent insights into the history of leather work in Walsall. I was very proud to learn we made handbags for Queen Elizabeth 2nd 😊 My friends enjoyed making a key ring and really appreciated all they saw.
Fantastic and free!! A great afternoon out
From past experience I can confirm cafe is great too
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took my girlfriend and mother here for a day out. We went on a Friday, as this is when you'll find Paul and Wendy, two volunteers located in the workshop upstairs. It is here you can learn all about the marriage between Lorinery and leather work that happened in Walsall during the great war of 1914-18. You can even try your hand at stamping leather with some emblems of your choice - we chose a horse and a rainbow. Wendy operates the Singer sewing machines, offering insight into the fascinating trade as she deftly demonstrates how they work.
We spent over an hour speaking to Paul and Wendy. They offered up anecdote after anecdote with a true passion for their trade - I suggest asking Paul to tell you his baton case story, he had us roaring with laughter.
It was difficult to say goodbye and I think Paul and Wendy sensed this as they told us to come and see them any Friday. To me, they are no longer just volunteers, they are a vital link to Walsall's past, but most of all, my friends.
We spent over an hour speaking to Paul and Wendy. They offered up anecdote after anecdote with a true passion for their trade - I suggest asking Paul to tell you his baton case story, he had us roaring with laughter.
It was difficult to say goodbye and I think Paul and Wendy sensed this as they told us to come and see them any Friday. To me, they are no longer just volunteers, they are a vital link to Walsall's past, but most of all, my friends.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
From the moment we entered the staff were very friendly and helpful.
Lots of information about the leather trade in Walsall.
Special thanks to Keith for sharing his knowledge, and for showing us some of the wonderful items he has made.
Also, thanks to the staff in the café for the welcome - and for the gorgeous chocolate fudge cake!
A very enjoyable visit - and free admission too!
Lots of information about the leather trade in Walsall.
Special thanks to Keith for sharing his knowledge, and for showing us some of the wonderful items he has made.
Also, thanks to the staff in the café for the welcome - and for the gorgeous chocolate fudge cake!
A very enjoyable visit - and free admission too!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went there during my lunch break. The ambience is nice, the cafe is quant, but it took forever for our food to come (toasted sandwich and pannini). When it came, we had to rush it and we're late going back to work.
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Had a nice relaxing wonder around and look at walsalls history staff are friendly and the site is well laid out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very interesting little museum which documents the history of leather working in Walsall.
Excellent range of items clearly displayed and explained, lovely also to have a chat with someone who could explain it all.
Excellent range of items clearly displayed and explained, lovely also to have a chat with someone who could explain it all.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was a warm clean place, people who gave talks on the various operations were friendly and knowledgeable. You get to take a piece of leather home with you as well.
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The people were very helpful and the leather workshop was presented by skilled people. Well done to the team.
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Much more than somewhere to spend a rainy day. The museum was easy to walk around and all the displays were very informative without being boring. It was also a fun place to visit thanks to Wendy and Paul who encouraged us to be hands on and gave us a real insight into the skills that were used in the leather trade. A must for children and senior citizens alike.
A step back into the past and very enjoyable. Thank you.
A step back into the past and very enjoyable. Thank you.
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Dropped by some time ago and was fascinated by the history "on our doorstep", and with a very pleasant Cafe obviously used by a few regulars as well as newbies like us.
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We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours here. Whether you have an interest in our industrial past or not it is still a great place visit. The staff are very helpful and it's worth taking the time to listen to the talks/demonstrations. There is a payable car park opposite is you are travelling by car.
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Took the kids so that they learn about the history of where we live, and we all really enjoyed it and learned a lot
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We filled a rainy Saturday afternoon perfectly with a visit to this museum. The leather industry is a part of Black Country industrial history that I knew very little about so that I was able to fill in knowledge gaps and learnt a lot about the leather trade. We were offered a free guided tour (entrance is free too) and ended up with a personal tour with an engaged and knowledgeable guide who really made an effort to answer our questions. The tour finished with a demonstration of leather working. The café has good reasonably priced simple meals and the shop goes beyond being a generic gift shop with locally made leather products. Truly excellent and my advice is go there - you literally have nothing to lose!
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We went to the Leather Muséum in january and it was just very nice ! We work in the leather industry in France so it was interesting to see how it is in the UK!
All people there were very welcoming and helpful, Beautiful objects and a great store (Especially books and leather articles)
Thank you very much to all the volunteers!
Best regards from France!
All people there were very welcoming and helpful, Beautiful objects and a great store (Especially books and leather articles)
Thank you very much to all the volunteers!
Best regards from France!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My husband and I visited the leather Museum on Easter Monday. We were very lucky as the car park next to the museum was free but only costs normally £3 for the day and the museum was open. It's normally closed on a Monday. We had a fab time. There was a wonderful atmosphere with many activities for young children. The staff were very chatty and helpful and answered many local questions. I watched a show in the foyer on Frankenstein's new invention. A 3 minute show that was very well done. So thanks for that. I also made a leather book mark for 50 p and a free key ring to remind me of my visit. I recommend this especially if the weather isn't the best. The cafe looked good and the prices not expensive but we didn't stop and use. Lovely clean toilets. I learnt lots about the leather industry and now appreciate the products that are made as works of art. Thanks to the staff and council for this free event.
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took the grandchildren here on Easter Monday, the Easter Magician and puppet show were an added bonus to this little museum which in itself was steeped in local history.
Free admission an added bonus.
Free admission an added bonus.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fantastic food and ambience. It was packed so this is a testament to the quality of the food and the staff that work here. Will definitely come again. The Leather Museum is fantastic.
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Really interesting museum - never knew of the history of leather in Walsall. Speaking to a retired leather worker was fascinating to hear the process of how saddles were made.
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this is a place that tells the storey of the working of the one of the main industries of the town for avery long time there is still some of the industry left in the town but not a lot the museum its self is an old leather factory
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Someone (actually, it was author Tim Moore) once said that some of the best museums in the country are the ones with the least prepossessing names. Walsall Leather Museum certainly is in that category. Well worth a visit, as it is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the town.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
