Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Free entry. The leather industry put Walsall on the map and the Museum is an excellent and interesting place to visit. With demonstrations from skilled leather workers and very well informed volunteers this is a place not to miss if you are visiting the area.
Have a bite to eat and a drink at the excellent cafe.
Have a bite to eat and a drink at the excellent cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hi there. We visited the leather museum and cafe today 28/6/14 having read previous reviews about cafe during February it is hard to believe It is the same cafe. We have had excellent and very friendly service. All I can assume is that different staff are now running it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful museum, lovely staff willing to demonstrate and answer any questions. Also free entry. The tea room is also lovely, again very friendly and very good prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Walsall's fortunes were built on the leather industry, so it's good to have a museum in the town in a former leather mill. It gives an interesting insight into the leather industry, and is a good place to visit on a wet afternoon with the kids. Entry is free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although we live less than 10 miles away we had never visited before. What a great place. We took our two teenage daughters who I thought may have been a bit bored but even they enjoyed it. The receptionist was extremely helpful and friendly and asked us if we would like a tour, which we did. Ron the guide had worked in the industry for more than 70 years. He was incredibly knowledgeable and proud of what he could show to us. Keith the other guide at the museum demonstrated how small leather goods were made and was really skillful. Equally interesting displays of leather goods made for a very pleasant couple of hours spent out. We didn't eat at the cafe as we had brought a picnic with us. Well worth a visit and you only need a couple of hours.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We really like this little museum, the guys who demonstrate are funny and informative.
Great place if you are in to leather 8)
Great place if you are in to leather 8)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you want to know about the history of Walsall's leather trade then this is the place to visit, and it's totally free. The staff are very informative and keen to answer any questions you may have, and if you are lucky enough to visit when Ron is demonstrating you are in for a treat.He is a vetran of 70+ years in the leather trade and what this guy doesn't know about leather isn't worth knowing. There is a shop which sells local leather good and books about leather and the history of the local area. There is also a cafe on site which is reasonably priced.So if you are after a cheap half day out then pop in and listen to the tales of Walsall's leather workers straight from the horses mouth.The museum is closed Mondays unless it's a Bank Holiday when it is open with activities put on for the children at a small cost.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great museum all about the history of leather production in Walsall and the black country, very friendly and knowledgeable staff happy to answer any questions you may have.
The shop is full of locally made products, for all price ranges from a few pounds to a few hundred, council pay and display car park across the road.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
The shop is full of locally made products, for all price ranges from a few pounds to a few hundred, council pay and display car park across the road.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great little museum that every visitor to Walsall should set aside some time to visit. Loads of interesting exhibits showing how creative the leather workers were through the ages and a good eye opener about how much hard work they had to do.
There are people in the museum who will chat to you. They are people who spent years of their lives working in the industry. If (as we did) you arrive at the same time as another group be sure to take time to allow the people to finish talking to the other group so you can ask questions.
There are people in the museum who will chat to you. They are people who spent years of their lives working in the industry. If (as we did) you arrive at the same time as another group be sure to take time to allow the people to finish talking to the other group so you can ask questions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The museum is a sheer delight.The same can not be said of the cafe.I have never encountered such dreadful service.The depths of which would equal Basil Fawlty on a bad day.
My partner ordered a soup starter and a lasagne main.Both were issued at the same time.I was met with astonishment when I told the lady behind the counter that they needed to be served seperately in order that the main would be warm(Hot was too much to ask).She grudginly took the lasagne back.When my partner returned for her lasagne it was stone cold.The same lady said it was hot.If she has any catering qualification then she should be ashamed of herself.We will return again but will dine in Tesco's over the road
My partner ordered a soup starter and a lasagne main.Both were issued at the same time.I was met with astonishment when I told the lady behind the counter that they needed to be served seperately in order that the main would be warm(Hot was too much to ask).She grudginly took the lasagne back.When my partner returned for her lasagne it was stone cold.The same lady said it was hot.If she has any catering qualification then she should be ashamed of herself.We will return again but will dine in Tesco's over the road
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I didn't know anything about Walsall's connection with the leather industry. Now I do! A lovely place/building and well worth a look if you are in Walsall. It is not just about the historical use of leather but modern/'craft' items are well represented. Very friendly, warm and helpful people. Did you know that HMQ gets her handbags from Walsall?
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I found a car park virtually next door to the museum(,£2 for 3 hours)the reception/shop was very well laid out with ample space.The receptionist was very friendly.the museum shows all aspects of the leather processing stages,then it goes on to show the various,products,and tools used to produce the finished articles.There is far more than making saddles.The guide is a retired leather worker,he is passionate about his trade,and owing to his vast knowledge of all aspects of the
industry he can answer any questions you may throw at him.Entrance is free,but I think you
would be very mean not to make a donation(envelopes available at reception).
industry he can answer any questions you may throw at him.Entrance is free,but I think you
would be very mean not to make a donation(envelopes available at reception).
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
You can easily spend a couple of hours here looking at the history of the leather trade in Walsall. As you go in (its free to visit) you go through a shop with local leather goods on sale (often they have a sale on). The premises are a former leather works with lots of exhibits. Its a nice place to pop in if your in Walsall shopping as its only across from the town centre. Also the museum a has a nice cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely staff and very interesting museum. Parking is just across the road (there is a charge). Wanted to stay for longer but had a meeting to attend. Will definitely return.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The guides at the museum are interesting and informative.
There are handmade locally produced leather goods for sale in the museum shop and an excellent cafe.
During school holidays there are free activities arranged for children.
There are handmade locally produced leather goods for sale in the museum shop and an excellent cafe.
During school holidays there are free activities arranged for children.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An excellent place to take children (including pensioners) of any age. If you've ever wondered how the skin on an animal's back becomes that beautiful substance that covers your feet, girds your loins (or rather waist) and upholsters your 3 piece suite then this is the place. OK there are synthetic substitutes but for the real thing, this place will tell you everything you need to know. As other contributors have said, check beforehand as to whether any of the old hands are on duty as it can be a bit confusing otherwise. There's always something to do for kids, especially at Easter and during the holidays. The cafe is pretty reasonable as well. Only a ten minute walk from both the bus and train stations. Only parts of the building are accessible for wheelchairs etc.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very friendly and great for young and old. This tradition of Walsall is well represented in an interesting way.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had the fortunate experience of learning about the processes of different leathers and their functions.. I certainly feel very educated on this subject thanks to this wonderful place.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Museum on a wet day when we were looking things to do. What a find! The old factory has been beautifully restored and is an iconic building in the heart of the town.
The industry started with the Loriners (I learned this today - people who made the metal work required for horses, stirrups, spurs, bridles , bits.). Then leather workers moved into the area because of the complimentary nature of the two trades;. The rest was history, with Walsall becoming world centre for the leather trade. Following the history lesson, we were showed the whole process of leather preparation, given a demonstration and allowed to emboss small leather fobs. All great. Then we went downstairs to the delightful café where we were served by one of the smartest and helpful assistants it has been my pleasure to meet and enjoyed four light and very tasty hot meals with drinks for a total of £13.80!. Wheelchair access is very good.
If Walsall Council every wonders where it will find the funding for its heritage projects, protect and treasure this one. It is a jewel!
The industry started with the Loriners (I learned this today - people who made the metal work required for horses, stirrups, spurs, bridles , bits.). Then leather workers moved into the area because of the complimentary nature of the two trades;. The rest was history, with Walsall becoming world centre for the leather trade. Following the history lesson, we were showed the whole process of leather preparation, given a demonstration and allowed to emboss small leather fobs. All great. Then we went downstairs to the delightful café where we were served by one of the smartest and helpful assistants it has been my pleasure to meet and enjoyed four light and very tasty hot meals with drinks for a total of £13.80!. Wheelchair access is very good.
If Walsall Council every wonders where it will find the funding for its heritage projects, protect and treasure this one. It is a jewel!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We randomly took a visit to the Walsall leather museum and what a delightful surprise it was! Although the museum itself doesn't have the facilities in comparison to the other museums nearby, the free entry and key ring compensates for this downfall entirely! Once upstairs we came across the most intriguing and generally lovely lady called Wendy. She informed us she had been in the leather trade for fifty years and now volunteers at the museum two days a week. In my opinion, for the pure wealth of knowledge Wendy holds, this is an outrage. She is an absolute asset to this museum and subsequently should be paid for her work. The trip to the museum wouldn't have been worth it without her. So I'd recommend to visit on a Thursday or Friday if you'd like to get the best possible experience. Thoroughly enjoyable day with donations made to a good cause.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This FREE museum of the history of the leather trade and the relevance of it to the development of Walsall is superb. Although it is a leather museum it has exhibits on lorinery which are the metal bits and related leather pieces associated with horses and of course saddles. Given that the local football team are known as the Saddlers it indicates how important this became to the town over the years.
The curators are ex leather workers and if you are fortunate enough to visit when the leather experts are in you and your children will be in for an entertaining treat.
Well worth a visit and is a credit to the town. We visited with friends intending to stay an hour and it ended up being 3.
The curators are ex leather workers and if you are fortunate enough to visit when the leather experts are in you and your children will be in for an entertaining treat.
Well worth a visit and is a credit to the town. We visited with friends intending to stay an hour and it ended up being 3.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took the grandchildren here, to learn more about the leather trade in Walsall. Very nice clean, well set out exhibition. Conveniently in centre of Walsall town, parking just outside. Would be better if there were curators around to explain what the tools were used for etc. Free to enter, quite educational. Lots of steps to encounter.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great stuff - a fascinating afternoon spent at a museum dedicated to the material created by the tanning of animal rawhide and skin! Who would have thought such a dry subject could have made such an interesting visit?!
The museum tells the story of the Walsall leather trade and in particular focuses on the saddle trade. There's plenty to see and if you're lucky you will get to see some skilled craftsmen and have a chat to former leather workers. Special mention to the 88 year old gent I spoke to who started in the Walsall leather trade in 1939! Gulp! He was initially earning a penny an hour - hope he's getting a bit more now! Anyway it's characters like this that make a visit.
Great to see modern contemporary leather products as well. Handbags, footballs, gloves, saddles, wallets, belts, rolls of snakeskin, tawse... It's all here and it's free! Check it out!
The museum tells the story of the Walsall leather trade and in particular focuses on the saddle trade. There's plenty to see and if you're lucky you will get to see some skilled craftsmen and have a chat to former leather workers. Special mention to the 88 year old gent I spoke to who started in the Walsall leather trade in 1939! Gulp! He was initially earning a penny an hour - hope he's getting a bit more now! Anyway it's characters like this that make a visit.
Great to see modern contemporary leather products as well. Handbags, footballs, gloves, saddles, wallets, belts, rolls of snakeskin, tawse... It's all here and it's free! Check it out!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have visited here a few times after visiting the Art Gallery and have always found it interesting with friendly & helpful staff. I think the shop is particualrly good with many items of a good quality and reasonable price.
The displays and informative and interesting, I should think its a good place to take kids too. No charge to get in either so no reason not to go!
The displays and informative and interesting, I should think its a good place to take kids too. No charge to get in either so no reason not to go!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The leatrher museum in Walsall, is located just a few minutes from the town center and provides a great look at the leather making histyory of the town. I am from Walsall and last visited the Museum over 20 years ago... I have recently visited the Museum with my twin 9 year olds and they were amazed by it all. The staff were very kind and helped the kid make some small leather crafts. They wqerer so taken with Musuem that they visited 2 times during our trip the the area.
This small musurm provides a slice of local history and after all the topwn is famous for leather and even the town's soccer team is call the SADDLERS.
This small musurm provides a slice of local history and after all the topwn is famous for leather and even the town's soccer team is call the SADDLERS.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
