Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
A fascinating few hours and the lady who talked to me about when she worked in the leather industry in Walsall was a most interesting and knowledgeable guide.
Thouroughly recomend this as it is free , but may close soon because of Walsall MBC's short sighted approach.
Thouroughly recomend this as it is free , but may close soon because of Walsall MBC's short sighted approach.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This museum is well worth a visit. It's free for starters so why wouldn't you? It is interesting and the staff are great. We had the pleasure of meeting Wendy and Paul who chatted to us about the museum and how everything worked they were full of stories and made the whole experience just fantastic. Loved it ! Even bought a Xmas present in the shop lol
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here last week and it was fantastic. Wasn't sure what to expect but it was a really interesting place to visit. Lots of information and things to look at as you go through the museum but the highlight for us was in the workshop. Paul and Wendy were really friendly and chatty. They were enthusiastic and keen to share their knowledge. We were also able to get hands on and do some embossing as well as learn a lot of things about how important the corners are as well as learning about different techniques in leatherwork.
The museum itself is free and the embossing is a very small charge and you get to keep your item! We also stopped off for coffee and cake in the tea room and enjoyed both!!
If you are in the area this is a museum NOT to miss.
The museum itself is free and the embossing is a very small charge and you get to keep your item! We also stopped off for coffee and cake in the tea room and enjoyed both!!
If you are in the area this is a museum NOT to miss.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were limited on time. We had a guided tour with some hands on experience I learnt that Walsall has rich history in leather work. We also made some embossed key rings for a small fee. It was cheap and most enjoyable for both of us I was with my mother we both enjoyed it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit. This is a VERY interesting museum. Staff are very friendly and are willing to chat to you.There are also activities where you can make things, for a tiny price. I will be going again and will also be mentioning this place to my sons school,so they can go on a trip there. Cant believe Ron is 90 yrs old this yr & has worked there since he was 14 yrs old. Now thats what you call dedication & love for your job.& Ron said today that he has NO plans on retiring any time soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited this museum several times over the past 3 years and we have never been disappointed. Our 12 year old grandchild always has a visit to the museum top of things to do during school holidays. The staff have always been friendly and welcoming. The demonstrations in the factory room are our favourite. Wendy and Paul couldn't have been better. Excellent museum of Walsall's historic local industry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Today we visited the Walsall Leather Museum for the second time this week. On Monday, we attended an Easter Fun Day and today we attended a Clay Portrait Workshop. On both occasions we had a wonderful time. The staff work hard to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere. The building is full of character with beautiful gardens and an enchanting cafe which provides freshly made food. The Museum is full of history which is vital to educate our younger generation.
Well done to all the staff, keep up the hard work.
The Tipper family
Well done to all the staff, keep up the hard work.
The Tipper family
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited the leather museum just to get advice on a leather repair requirement, not necessarily to see the museum as such. We were however delighted with the friendliness, the professionalism and the knowledge of all staff present there. Ron and Keith (the two professional craftsmen) were engaging and highly entertaining and very much experts in their field, so much so we ended up spending almost 3 hours there. For a free entrance attraction you simply cannot go wrong.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Leather Museum has wonderful staff who have a wealth of knowledge on their subject, as well as being very entertaining. They are patient and explain the exhibits; there are scraps of leather to take, a gilding machine to make your own key fob. And the shop has a range of high end leather goods to buy. It is housed in an old building from the leather trade.
The two final highlights of the visit have to be
1) the food in the cafe (reasonably priced with daily specials all prepared on the premises)
2) the beautiful tiny gardens surrounding the old premises. A lovely green sanctuary in an otherwise urban area
The two final highlights of the visit have to be
1) the food in the cafe (reasonably priced with daily specials all prepared on the premises)
2) the beautiful tiny gardens surrounding the old premises. A lovely green sanctuary in an otherwise urban area
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I look after our two grandchildren on Wednesdays in holiday time..
We always look what is on offer at the Walsall Leather Museum and the girls visit it at least once every holiday. The staff are all very friendly and helpful and the girls look forward to their visit and to take home the many splendid things they make in the craft sessions.
We always look what is on offer at the Walsall Leather Museum and the girls visit it at least once every holiday. The staff are all very friendly and helpful and the girls look forward to their visit and to take home the many splendid things they make in the craft sessions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A very interesting history of the industry & the community. Wonderful docents! Great interactive opportunity for all ages. Fabulous gift shop & very yummy Cafe. The perfect family activity.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife is a saddler and I used to sell saddles, and we both ride horses. Learning about the manufacturing process of the leather we both like so much, and then talking about its use in various leather goods, and how various things are made was fascinating.
The volunteer staff there is highly motivated and even more knowledgeable. Keep it going! This is a gem of British heritage.
The volunteer staff there is highly motivated and even more knowledgeable. Keep it going! This is a gem of British heritage.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Thi was an excelllent visit made interesting by the guide who had worked at the museum from when he was a boy.He is 89 with no plans to retiree.Learnt a lot about the leather industry and with anecdotes from the guide it was made very personal.Excellent visit.lunch at the cafe was really good value for money too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Museum well laid out, shop and café as well. Experienced staff with interesting stories to tell. Would make a good visit for home craft fans. Anyone who fancies trying their hand at hand crafting leather good should come and look - plenty of tips to be had.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Walsall Leather Museum is a fantastic place to take primary school children. The staff are 'children friendly' and we had recently 3 wonderful and educational 'hands on' experiences with three small groups of children from our Class 3. A really big 'Thank You' to David, Wendy, Paul and Ian from staff and pupils of Millfield Primary School.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was my first visit to the Museum, and indeed to Walsall. I learned so much about the industry and about the town's social history. I could almost taste, smell and hear the work that used to go on. We were blessed with some exceptionally friendly volunteer staff who could talk about their years spent in the leather industry. They brought artifacts to life.
Just over the road from the Art Gallery, a walk from the Arboretum and convenient for parking visitors could spend a wonderful day in and around the museum. It is well worth a visit.
Just over the road from the Art Gallery, a walk from the Arboretum and convenient for parking visitors could spend a wonderful day in and around the museum. It is well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The NHBS AGM has for many years been held in the meeting room at the Walsall Leather museum excellent venue friendly staff and so handy to have the café next to the meeting room. Loads of parking in the public car park opposite who could ask for more. Walsall is a most appropriate location for our meetings as it was the centre for horse brass manufacture in the foundries of the area in the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth centuries. Our grateful thanks to all and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Jim Speed
NHBS General Secretary
Jim Speed
NHBS General Secretary
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Wonderfully interesting and insightful museum. Lived in the area all my life & have family who have worked in the leather industry. Well worth a visit with friendly staff and a lovely cafe too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I entered this attraction with a mind set of scepticism with my friend, after all - what is there to be interested about leather history and manufacture? How wrong is was.... despite entering on a quiet weekday afternoon we both found the venue fascinating in way of local history and the evolution of the industry. What made it really special was the passion which exuded from the staff, most - if not all may be volunteers. Special thanks must be given to the young man who gave an enthralling talk on the history of leather and the products which Walsall was and still is to a lesser degree famed for. This venue should be seen as a benchmark on what local museums should be like. My deep gratitude go to all concerned!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You should visit the leather museum. It is absolutly nice. The staff is adorable and would answer to any questions that you may have. The museum is full of informations about leather but also about Walsall, which is very interesting ! Wendy and Paul work as volunteers at the museum on Friday, don't hesitate to talk to them they are lovely! I had a great time there even though I was on my own. I went there twice and I will go back again for sure !
Christelle
Christelle
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I was impressed - modern displays and demonstrations from knowledgeable staff. Not just about the leather trade but also the central part it played in the history of a Midlands town. The cafe is worth a visit too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited yesterday with my 9 year old son and had a lovely few hours. The staff were fantastic and couldn't be more helpful. The demonstration in the factory room was my favourite part. Wendy and Paul couldn't have been better. They really made it! The cafe was worth a visit, very reasonable prices and again wonderful staff. An all round great place to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My favourite museum! Excellent history, demos and exhibits (esp. the C17 silver thread embroidered doeskin saddle). Brilliant staff, café and parking. I keep returning although I live in N. Wales. Paula Sells
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I always passed the museum in car and wondered what could possibly be interesting in a leather museum. Convinced my girlfriend to take me and was pleasantly surprised. Ron alone is worth the visit. And it's all free
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
There aren't many good reasons to visit Walsall but this and the art gallery make the trip well worthwhile. Excellent museum of Walsall's historic local industry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
