Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
We would happily have paid to enter this fairly small museum, which to our surprise was free.We learnt a lot about the leather industry in Walsall, which was a lot more interesting than it might sound. There were also some other exhibits of interest. The highlight was the volunteers (there on a Friday) - people who had started work in the industry in the 60s, and had many interesting stories to tell. Apparently they also do events for school kids, and I would think they be very good at this - friendly nice people.
Nb no parking on site - we found parking a couple of roads away, otherwise we would have looked for a public car park nearby.
Nb no parking on site - we found parking a couple of roads away, otherwise we would have looked for a public car park nearby.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the museum with a 6 and a 4 year old. It's a place we've always wanted to see as we enjoy museums as a family. We had a free guided tour which was very easy to arrange. Claire was very friendly and approachable and pitched her talk perfectly to suit our girls who tend to lose interest quite quickly. Going around the museum, they stayed engaged and asked Claire questions, which she answered very happily. The highlight for them was definitely making a keychain. They were able to choose a design and operate the press with Claire's help. We also had a sewing tutorial and a chance to have a go, which proved rather tricky for inexperienced hands but a doddle for a skilled worker of the yester years. Claire's painted a realistic picture of what it was like working there as a sticher, cutter or currier. We learnt a lot about the history of the leather industry. Personally, I found the saddle making most interesting as I used to ride horses in my youth.
I would recommend a visit to this fantastic museum to anyone who is passing through/staying in Walsall or surrounding areas.
I would recommend a visit to this fantastic museum to anyone who is passing through/staying in Walsall or surrounding areas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Bits just out side the town about 5 minutes and its a reminder of our past The middles was the main industry area and our goods went all over the world and even today you can experience the past and how leather was produced and the things it was made into by visiting the museum, its free to go in and you can have a nice sit down after your tour round and have a nice hot drink in the cafe
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Having never visited the museum before, I visited the museum with 2 friends and to say we were all impressed really is an understatement. We found all the staff and volunteers to be very friendly and helpful, all of whom were more than willing to share their knowledge and anecdotes, which made our visit all the more interesting and informative. There is plenty to see in the museum, including a full history of Walsall's leather industry throughout the world, with plenty of artefacts and also workrooms where you can see saddles being made and where you can make your own keepsake for as little as 50p thanks to a wonderful volunteer by the name of Rosie. Although we were advised that it would take about half an hour to an hour to go around the museum, it actually took us almost 2 hours thanks to the staff and volunteers who kept us fully entertained and informed.
After completing the trip around the museum the staff will also make you a hot drink for a very reasonable £1 and I would have to say the cup of tea was excellent.
I would not hesitate to recommend a visit to the museum, which is free of charge, and now having been there once all 3 of us have said we want to become regular visitors.
After completing the trip around the museum the staff will also make you a hot drink for a very reasonable £1 and I would have to say the cup of tea was excellent.
I would not hesitate to recommend a visit to the museum, which is free of charge, and now having been there once all 3 of us have said we want to become regular visitors.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great little muesum and free entry. Excellent history about the growth of the leather trade in victorian era and economics of the time. Interesting photos/displays in an historic building
Source: google.com
What a gem! We spent two hours there learning about the importance of the leather trade to the area. Our visit was greatly enhanced by the time spent with Keith,a highly skilled leather worker, who volunteers there on two Saturday's each month . There is currently no coffee shop but staff are happy to make you a drink. There is the most beautiful range of leather goods available for sale in the shop.
Entrance is free.
Entrance is free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I enjoy this museum..i saw a lot of old things and i meet nice people.
Source: google.com
Interesting, but not mind blowing :)
Source: google.com
This is not only a museum about the past but also an activity centre for pre booked activities and promotes modern leather manufacturing. Sadly the cafe is closed. It was interesting in a low key way with plenty of reading and hands on leather at nearly every display. Sadly, the current Austerity cuts seems to be affecting it with reduced school visits. We learnt a lot and were glad that we went. Free entry with a reasonably priced car park opposite.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Foarte frumos si interesant.
Source: google.com
A nice little museum to wonder around for an hour. Some interesting and surprising history here. The leather workers were friendly to talk to and very knowledgeable.
Source: google.com
Being highly intuitive (and above average intelligence) I knew without any doubt whatsoever that The Walsall Leather Museum was going to be mediocre at best. C'mon IT'S FREE!!! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT? Okay........I EXPECTED WRONG! They weren't kidding about offering individual guided tours (when circumstances allow) or just letting you shuffle through at your own place. There's an incredible amount of history crammed into that building. The two Ian's treated me like ROYALTY (so did the rest of the staff for that matter). I think that some of the people even volunteer. That's a word we seldom encounter these days. I was even able to make a keychain along with a couple of other items using their machines. That was way cool! I figured the least I could do was throw Ian a few bucks for the access and the attention....... FORGET IT! No how no way! He simply wouldn't have it. I'm telling you that these folks are the best people you could ever hope to encounter. No joke. I figured on spending an hour or so there and arrived around 3 o'clock. I didn't realize it at the time but it was 5:20 when I left (and of course they didn't even say anything). GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
So interesting. Lovely staff
Source: google.com
Who knew walsall is at the heart of English leather industry and has been for hundreds of years
Lots to see and activities for adults and kids alike
Nice resobaly priced cafe for lunch and easy parking with in easy walk from town centre
Lots to see and activities for adults and kids alike
Nice resobaly priced cafe for lunch and easy parking with in easy walk from town centre
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Went to the museum last Saturday 8th Dec with family (All adults) And what an amazing place. We were there over 2 hours as there were so many things to look at & learn about the history of leather in The Midlands. We all enjoyed it. They have a café but that wasn't open but we were able to have a hot drink in the reception area besides the gift shop. Would recommend it. Parking is available right beside the museum & entry to the museum is free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Superb experience, even if you have little interest in the leather industry, it is packed with local history
Source: google.com
Wonderful place!!!!
Source: google.com
I went to learn more about leather craft for a hobby. Hence, i was more interested in the practical side than the local history part.
The area around the work shop was really very good. Keith Parker was sharing his knowledge in a very positive way and I learnt a lot.
The shop has some great products for sale and it was a good place to sit and chat.
Parking is excellent with a Pay and Display across the road.
The area around the work shop was really very good. Keith Parker was sharing his knowledge in a very positive way and I learnt a lot.
The shop has some great products for sale and it was a good place to sit and chat.
Parking is excellent with a Pay and Display across the road.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering around the museum discovering the history of the town. I particularly enjoyed being able to handle some of the exhibits which really helps to bring the history alive. A bonus was the very personal and friendly service offered by Ian, Paul and Adrian who were knowledgeable and generous with their time and are assets to the council. The museum itself is a great use for the building. My visit has inspired my family who all live locally to visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A delightful small museum with the friendliest of staff. Walsall once supplied saddles to the whole world - 700 people were involved in the trade. There is 100s of years of history here. We must not let this heritage be forgotten. I have travelled down from Scotland and enjoyed my visit very much.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Can't believe it's free entry, the people who run this are so enfused and pationate
About leather and the heritage surrounding walsall and it's past.if you were not interested in leather and it's craft you will at the end of the Tour and talk, if you arrive on the day Keith is giving his talk.
I myself will return as a 2 day student to take the craft of leather work forward.
This is what Walsall is all about.
About leather and the heritage surrounding walsall and it's past.if you were not interested in leather and it's craft you will at the end of the Tour and talk, if you arrive on the day Keith is giving his talk.
I myself will return as a 2 day student to take the craft of leather work forward.
This is what Walsall is all about.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited with friends and spent 1.5-2 hours happily looking round and talking with the resident saddle-maker.
It was fascinating to see the history of Walsall laid out so clearly and in such a thoughtful manner. How the town adapted to the changing economic conditions of the day by switching the products that were manufactured, using the existing skilled workers, was amazing. I was unaware that there are still many leather products manufactured in the town today.
It brought home to me how ignorant I was of the heritage of my area. I cannot think why I have never visited the museum before. And it is free!
It was fascinating to see the history of Walsall laid out so clearly and in such a thoughtful manner. How the town adapted to the changing economic conditions of the day by switching the products that were manufactured, using the existing skilled workers, was amazing. I was unaware that there are still many leather products manufactured in the town today.
It brought home to me how ignorant I was of the heritage of my area. I cannot think why I have never visited the museum before. And it is free!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This was so interesting. I didn't want to go because it didn't appeal to me. So glad I went. So many skills lost but recreated here.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had friends down from Nottingham and took them to Walsall Leather Museum. Very interesting, educational they really enjoyed it and so did i. Well worth a visit, thank you x
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We took a party of eight old age pensioners with a wide range of disabilities to cope with to this museum. We were treated to a warm welcome and given a conducted tour, guided by a staff member, who pitched his presentation at just the right level for our group. Offering insights into the social conditions that prevailed through the times when the museum was a working factory. All the members of our outing thought the day out a great success.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
