Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Returned today after not having visited for some months, took two friends, all greatly enjoyed the museum, shop and lovely little cafe - great inexpensive food.
Cleanest loos anywhere. Staff very friendly.
Cleanest loos anywhere. Staff very friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
FANTASTIC visit..everybody very friendly and knowledgeable...our first visit to this museum (even though we used to live in the UK) and I recommend it very highly. It's so interesting to have heard and seen all about the leather trades in Walsall...such a shame that they have declined...Hope this musuem continues to tell this story. Thankyou to all for the visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The chance to make your own keyring is a big sell to the under 5s! They love it here, and the museum has been thoughtfully laid out.
Walsall's survival as specialist industrial centre is explained - it would be great if there was a chance to buy repros of the beautiful posters displayed throughout the museum.
The cafe was quick and fine for basics (toasties, teacakes, bacon roll). It was toddler friendly too.
We spent an hour and a half here - and the girls want to go back soon.
Walsall's survival as specialist industrial centre is explained - it would be great if there was a chance to buy repros of the beautiful posters displayed throughout the museum.
The cafe was quick and fine for basics (toasties, teacakes, bacon roll). It was toddler friendly too.
We spent an hour and a half here - and the girls want to go back soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A cracking little museum giving insight into the industry so important to Walsall.The place is brought to light by enthusiastic and knowledgable staff. Also has a splendid cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I am a historian researching the history of leather works and saddle-making and this museum was a revelation!
Some times it is so hard to imagine how things were before the evolution of mechanisms and computers and what the materiality of these workshops would be.
Britain has a long history of leather crafts and it is quite important to promote the accessibility to knowledge of tradition and history. Genre museums are so much easier for the public to relate to and unravel the lifestyle of the non-upper class and non-royals that is promoted in high-end portrait galleries and art museums.
Some times it is so hard to imagine how things were before the evolution of mechanisms and computers and what the materiality of these workshops would be.
Britain has a long history of leather crafts and it is quite important to promote the accessibility to knowledge of tradition and history. Genre museums are so much easier for the public to relate to and unravel the lifestyle of the non-upper class and non-royals that is promoted in high-end portrait galleries and art museums.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a real hidden treasure of a museum. It offers lots of unexpected insights into the history of Walsall as a whole - as well as the history of making leather, of course. Lots of nice touches in the exhibits, and a very helpful and friendly tone all round. The staff were tremendous - particularly the demonstrators. The whole visit was a pleasure from start to finish . Walsall should be proud of this museum!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have to agree with previous comments, this is a very enjoyable museum, well presented, good storyboards, friendly staff and a great opportunity to find out how everyday items that we all use are made. Particularly pleasing to know that the trade still survives in the area and to have enthusiastic explanation from a talented local craftsman.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit if you want to learn about the history of Walsall during the industrial revolution and the leather industry in the area
Source: google.com
Really nice staff and café
Source: google.com
First class
Source: google.com
A great place for a visit , it gives a fascinating look into the past crafts and social history of the area and really places Walsall at the top of the tree for leather work and goods. The exhibition is very interesting with plenty of information and leather goods to examine. The guided talk by Keith was very informative and gave you a real feel for the skill and history of leather work , you also have an opportunity to make a small item as a memento. I would put aside a few hours for your visit and if you can book a tour I would recommend you contact the Museum direct. Parking is a few yards away and makes the place very accessible. One of the best Museums in the area
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Nice free hour out, enjoyed the walk round and cafe. Good for younger kids on the fun days they have here
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Leather Museum tell the story of an historically important local industry. There is still a remnant industry in Walsall but it is a shadow of what it once was. It is a story well told with interesting exhibits but it is the staff that work there that make it a great experience. Ask questions and you will get interesting answers.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had walked past this little treasure trove on a number of occasions and decided to pop in. I received a very warm welcome and proceeded to look around at the display, I was fascinated by the amount of sheer hard work and skill that was needed in traditional methods to produce leather. It was a Friday and I was really pleased to come across the workshop where I got an opportunity to make 2 leather keyrings using an embossing process and 2 using a heat foiling process. Another section contained clothes and fabrics from an old haberdashery shop to die for!!! I plan to go back to purchase a new locally-produced handbag - they are gorgeous!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Didn't know what to expect, but this place was amazing and very educational. Whist on our tour we meet Keith he was so knowledgeable, I never knew there we're so many types of leather or suede. A really good trip. I recommend this to everyone brilliant👍
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went with a group of fashion students and found the experience to be very worthwhile. The staff were all friendly, informative and so much fun. Well done, we highly recommended a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Pretty much had the place to ourselves on a Friday afternoon with two hours to spare. Could have stayed much longer. The place is fascinating and covers so many activities beyond leather work, in line with Walsall's claim to be the town of a thousand trades. It was great to see the skills being demonstrated and to chat with Wendy and Paul while they were making purses. Sorry for the interruption! This museum is a real asset to the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just returned from a visit to the Leather Museum in Walsall. The staff were so helpful and enthusiastic. There are displays of leather (and associated metal) items and several interesting tools and machines of the trade. The museum offers an insight into the various stages and processes of manufacturing leather goods. Volunteers in the workshop (check that they will be there) encourage children (and adults) to try a bit of hands-on work. Overall, an interesting and educational visit.
There is a small cafe for food and beverage.
There is a small cafe for food and beverage.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Our visit was a spur of the moment trip, we were visiting the National Memorial Arboretum and had a couple of hours to kill on a very wet and windy morning. We went around the museum which was interesting in itself but the gentleman in the workshop at the end made the trip worthwhile.
He explained how leather was worked and how to tell the difference between genuine and fake leathers. We were told that we had missed out on seeing the most experienced volunteer but we still had a very enjoyable couple of hours here.
He explained how leather was worked and how to tell the difference between genuine and fake leathers. We were told that we had missed out on seeing the most experienced volunteer but we still had a very enjoyable couple of hours here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Just had a great few hours in the leather museum, a really interesting place & the displays very informative. We spent time with Ron, he's a "star", who explained about the different skins & the tanning process. All the staff in the museum were very helpful and they have a nice shop, selling only Walsall made leather goods, fantastic quality. It's free to get in, but I know you will spend your money in the great café and /or the shop.
We will definitely go back again!!
We will definitely go back again!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My class recently visited the Leather Museum and took in a couple of the mask making activities offered. The children were engaged and learned a lot about how to work and shape the leather.
Hopefully, all of our staff and other schools take a trip to the museum to find out what else they offer.
Hopefully, all of our staff and other schools take a trip to the museum to find out what else they offer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
After driving past Walsall Leather Museum (WLM) for seven years on my way to work at a primary school in Walsall, I received an email from David Mills, the Education Officer at WLM, who wanted to share the latest curriculum workshops on offer. I knew these workshops would be hugely appealing to the pupils at my school and decided to find out more.
I made an appointment to meet with David over the summer holidays and was impressed when he spent a whole morning giving me a guided tour of the museum and talking through all the potential workshops that WLM could offer to primary age pupils. I was also able to make a keyring and emboss it with a gold leaf teddy bear! During my visit, I enjoyed a cup of tea and delicious slice of Victoria cake in the cafe!
Since my visit, David has hosted training for staff from my school where we were able to examine various artefacts and try on some curious costumes. This has definitely been one of our most favourite professional development sessions!
This term, our Year Four and Five pupils have visited WLM to a make a variety of artefacts such as Anglo Saxon helmets and Osiris masks. The quality of these crafts has been exceptional. The learning that has taken place during these visits has been outstanding.
I would like to say a huge thank you to David Mills for the contagious enthusiasm that he shares for WLM. I think he's inspirational. Thanks also to all other staff at WLM involved in making all of our visits such special experiences.
I made an appointment to meet with David over the summer holidays and was impressed when he spent a whole morning giving me a guided tour of the museum and talking through all the potential workshops that WLM could offer to primary age pupils. I was also able to make a keyring and emboss it with a gold leaf teddy bear! During my visit, I enjoyed a cup of tea and delicious slice of Victoria cake in the cafe!
Since my visit, David has hosted training for staff from my school where we were able to examine various artefacts and try on some curious costumes. This has definitely been one of our most favourite professional development sessions!
This term, our Year Four and Five pupils have visited WLM to a make a variety of artefacts such as Anglo Saxon helmets and Osiris masks. The quality of these crafts has been exceptional. The learning that has taken place during these visits has been outstanding.
I would like to say a huge thank you to David Mills for the contagious enthusiasm that he shares for WLM. I think he's inspirational. Thanks also to all other staff at WLM involved in making all of our visits such special experiences.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a fantastic day was not expecting to be so good and Ron was a legend it's a free event but I'll be happy to pay with no prob
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great value. The best leather museum I've ever been to. Learnt a lot about the history of leather production in Walsall.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Not only a great museum but a shop selling fantastic leather goods and ALL made in the area. There is also a really good cafe which is excellent value and quality. Best hand cut chips I have had for ages! highly recommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
