Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
I'll admit from the offset, it doesn't sound too glamorous, but we were more than glad we took the time to visit the Leather Museum!
As a couple who love local history, with this being relatively on our doorstep, we put off visiting for too long.
I learned so much about what really is an under-represented part of Midlands history in a concise manner. While other similar museums might suffer from repetition, the Leather Museum doesn't. Just enough information to feed your brain, not so much that you begin to zone out. Everything is worth looking at.
If you're looking for a quality leather product like a wallet, card holder or purse, the gift shop is amazing.
Special shout out goes to the very friendly staff who talked us through the process of making our own leather keyring. Great fun and a great end to our visit. Explained everything, and it's always good to get hands on!
As a couple who love local history, with this being relatively on our doorstep, we put off visiting for too long.
I learned so much about what really is an under-represented part of Midlands history in a concise manner. While other similar museums might suffer from repetition, the Leather Museum doesn't. Just enough information to feed your brain, not so much that you begin to zone out. Everything is worth looking at.
If you're looking for a quality leather product like a wallet, card holder or purse, the gift shop is amazing.
Special shout out goes to the very friendly staff who talked us through the process of making our own leather keyring. Great fun and a great end to our visit. Explained everything, and it's always good to get hands on!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It gives an insight into the world of saddle making and by products which Walsall is renown for. Saddle making is a highly skilled trade and albeit the museum takes the visitors through the various stages, it takes many years to acquire the skill of saddle manufacturing. The museum is fairly small, but has a car park and excellent cafe.
Small leather items can be purchased at the shop.
Small leather items can be purchased at the shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a fascinating centre giving an insight into leather goods manufacture, especially saddlery, but in a manner easily accessible by children. The staff were brilliant with lots of time to chat and explain.
It is a shame these trades and skills seem to be disappearing.
Well worth a visit, and it's free admittance.
It is a shame these trades and skills seem to be disappearing.
Well worth a visit, and it's free admittance.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were the only visitors when we arrived. A real shame as this place deserves to have a lot of visitors. Walsall has a long tradition in the area of leather goods and this museum tells the story well. Sadly, the cafe was closed and, it seems, will not be open for some time. We are local to the area but if you are travelling any distance then it would be worth checking if you are hoping to eat at the museum. It is free to enter and there is a car park opposite which has reasonable parking charges.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Grandchildren enjoyed all the actIvities , and the Cafe was good for lunch . Staff were very friendly & helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We expected to have to pay for this museum, but entry was free. There was the added bonus of a tour guide for our small group, which added interesting details to the exhibits.
The museum is larger than we expected and also had a historic temporary toy exhibition.
There's a lot more to saddlery and lorinery that we knew, and we all came away having thoroughly enjoyed the visit - Thanks
The museum is larger than we expected and also had a historic temporary toy exhibition.
There's a lot more to saddlery and lorinery that we knew, and we all came away having thoroughly enjoyed the visit - Thanks
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great part of British history used to take the kids on hols always had activities on and kids loved it clean place and very informative
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This venue was threatened with closure during Walsall Council review. It is a unique museum charting the local trade. Free entry with variety of events and course on offer for a realistic payment. The displays are interesting with knowledgeable and helpful staff. A lovely tea rom serving homemade cakes etc.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
To see complete hides of cow, snake, aligator, emu was special. The old photos, blown up to A1 size showed just how busy Walsall leather makers used to be.
The staff are very informed too.
Well worth a visit.
The staff are very informed too.
Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The Walsall Leather Museum is a very pleasant surprise and well worth a visit! It tells the story of Walsall's history with the leather industry very closely linked with The Royal Family, The First World War and very famous jockeys as a lot of the racing saddles are made in Walsall. Workshops are run here and lots of interesting activities during the school holidays for children to learn all sorts of new skills. There are guided tours run by ex workers in the trade and demonstrations. There is also a very nice little cafe with inexpensive good food, so all in all a lovely place to spend a couple of very informative and interesting hours
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Kids really enjoyed it here very educational full of things to touch and feel and evenly spaced out. Lovely local heritage and history fantastic day out
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The title is because it is a shame that this wonderful museum does not have its own website, so it does not get the publicity it deserves.
The guided tour was exceptional, the layout, the information boards were creative with just enough to read, without becoming arduous and boring. The exhibits and original workshops, with their own ex worker guide was the best ever. We were there over 2 hours, time very well spent. And would you believe it was free entry. We ate in the lovely tearoom where the staff were welcoming and efficient.
The guided tour was exceptional, the layout, the information boards were creative with just enough to read, without becoming arduous and boring. The exhibits and original workshops, with their own ex worker guide was the best ever. We were there over 2 hours, time very well spent. And would you believe it was free entry. We ate in the lovely tearoom where the staff were welcoming and efficient.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Walsall has a deep history of Leather making and this museum really shows it off. It has an outstanding collection and is displayed beautifully, the staff are welcoming, and passionate about keeping the skills that are needed alive.
I would highly recommend the museum for a good afternoon out!
Makes you proud of our towns heritage !
I would highly recommend the museum for a good afternoon out!
Makes you proud of our towns heritage !
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit
The workshops are useful, hands on and keep young ones entertained.
The staff are knowledgable and the displays are full of information.
It was certainly an interesting visit.
The workshops are useful, hands on and keep young ones entertained.
The staff are knowledgable and the displays are full of information.
It was certainly an interesting visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a small museum housed in one of the few buildings remaining from the mass of factories dealing in leather goods. Walsall manufactured masses of leather saddles, alongside the bridles, bits etc. needed for WW1. The history is explained in an east to read way. Twice a week there is a person working the machinery needed for the industry and children can make a key ring. There are masses of leather hides there along with display cabinets showing the history of leather goods.
There is also a small but excellent shop and an attractive cafe. The soup wasn’t a good choice(powder soup) so choose carefully.
You can park in a public car park opposite on the one way system.
There is also a small but excellent shop and an attractive cafe. The soup wasn’t a good choice(powder soup) so choose carefully.
You can park in a public car park opposite on the one way system.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free to enter and long stay pay and display is just across the road in Day Street.
We spent a good hour in the cafe with the kids before we had a wander around the courtyard area at the back, a fairly relaxed place where you can admire the building's architecture.
When we moved into the museum there was a fascinating display of leather artefacts and a toy museum upstairs. We left via the shop which was worth browsing while the kids played on the rocking horse.
I've lived in Walsall nearly all of my life and I'd not been in here before today. Along with the arboretum/visitor centre and the New Art Gallery, it's one of Walsall's gems and well worth a visit.
We spent a good hour in the cafe with the kids before we had a wander around the courtyard area at the back, a fairly relaxed place where you can admire the building's architecture.
When we moved into the museum there was a fascinating display of leather artefacts and a toy museum upstairs. We left via the shop which was worth browsing while the kids played on the rocking horse.
I've lived in Walsall nearly all of my life and I'd not been in here before today. Along with the arboretum/visitor centre and the New Art Gallery, it's one of Walsall's gems and well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lovely and enthusiastic staff provided a fascinating insight into the Walsall leather industry based on their years of working in the industry. I made some leather key ring fobs for my grandchildren with a lot of help. Interesting exhibits in showcases.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Staff ready to engage with my children talking to them about the leather and asked if they wanted to make a key ring.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent museum with some lovely volunteers who had worked in the industry when Walsall was the heart of the leather trade. Made keyrings and wristbands! Purchased 2 passport covers in the shop made in Walsall.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We came on a visit with a U3A group, I didn't know anything about Walsall and the leather trade but I do now!
The staff were friendly, helpful and didn't rush us in spite of being busy with primary school children.
The staff were friendly, helpful and didn't rush us in spite of being busy with primary school children.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit. Ive never been here before and I live local to it. The museum has a lot of history people are willing to help you and teach you the history of the leather industry. There's a few actives for the kids to take part in. There was also a history of old toys dating from the 1920's to 2000. It was lovely seeing some of the old toys I played with.
Theres a nice little cafe that serves nice food and a gift shop. Plus there are kids work shops on selected days.
Theres a nice little cafe that serves nice food and a gift shop. Plus there are kids work shops on selected days.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Glorious find..... What a hidden gem in Walsall. Beautiful, striking Victorian building.
Staff exceptional, so helpful and informative, especially the lady in the shop/entrance.
Wonderful history of the leather trade in Walsall. Excellent social history, exhibits and engaging information. Can't praise enough. Wonderful archives.
Just a shame the café within the museum wasn't serving a full menu as advertised.
Staff exceptional, so helpful and informative, especially the lady in the shop/entrance.
Wonderful history of the leather trade in Walsall. Excellent social history, exhibits and engaging information. Can't praise enough. Wonderful archives.
Just a shame the café within the museum wasn't serving a full menu as advertised.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Top place to visit, free to visit and you find different type of leather and lots of old and great tools.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the museum and couldn't be more impressed by the man who showed myself and a friend around, he had worked in the leather trade and had tons of knowledge that he shared with us I would highly recommend a visit
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a good time, I didn't want to go, but my friends were interested, glad I did as it gave me some in sight in to the history.
Enjoyed my time will be returning with my family
Enjoyed my time will be returning with my family
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
