Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Very nice place with interesting exposition. Staff is very friendly and eager to talk about the leather.
Source: google.com
I know it is a poor reason to visit a museum but I had to occupy myself in Walsall for the morning of thursday 8th february. I had had a family connection with Walsall for many years so thought I should make the effort to go to this museum.
What a joy it was especially the pleasant and helpfull receptionist with his advice. I had been in production some years ago and always had an interest in industry and this museum was an excellent example of how one should be constructed, informative but also hands on with a true craftsman demonstating how good leather was fashioned.The day I was there two school groups were being shown round and from the chattering they were obviously engrossed with what they were seeing, more the pity that the leather, saddle trade has reduced so much due to cheap imports. What was also interesting from my point of view was the linking of saddle making to foundrys make brasses and all allied industries.
Well worth spending an hour or so at this old leather works building and soaking up the past atmosphere connected to leather, brasses etc as well as some history of Walsall.
Keep up the good work
What a joy it was especially the pleasant and helpfull receptionist with his advice. I had been in production some years ago and always had an interest in industry and this museum was an excellent example of how one should be constructed, informative but also hands on with a true craftsman demonstating how good leather was fashioned.The day I was there two school groups were being shown round and from the chattering they were obviously engrossed with what they were seeing, more the pity that the leather, saddle trade has reduced so much due to cheap imports. What was also interesting from my point of view was the linking of saddle making to foundrys make brasses and all allied industries.
Well worth spending an hour or so at this old leather works building and soaking up the past atmosphere connected to leather, brasses etc as well as some history of Walsall.
Keep up the good work
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I love the Walsall leather museum, it's super nostalgic for me and hasn't really changed much since I visited on a school trip! Still remember choosing my own piece of leather to take home and embossing a leather key fob. Fun for my little one too, with a game to play looking out for different items throughout the museum to win a prize. Very interesting, and had a great talk with the saddle maker! Also a fab vintage toy collection! Takes you right back to your childhood! Lovely tea rooms, and beautiful items for sale in the gift shop.
Source: google.com
Well.worth a visit
Source: google.com
A small "FREE" museum. To get the best experience I would recommend the guided tour. The staff made it a very enjoyable tour and were very knowledgeable about the leather industry within the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Kids loved it made ankeyring costing 50p kids loved it staff was so friendly
Source: google.com
I had passed the Leather Museum hundreds of time and made the decision to pop in and take a look round. My daughter had told me that it was boring (although she had not visited) but I found it really interesting and spent an hour walking from room to room. I really enjoyed the Old Hall exhibition as it brought back memories for me of the late 60s and 70s! Sadly didn't have time to visit the nice little cafe. Parking nearby. All in all very enjoyable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited here today with a family spent about an hour here and loved it we made key rings that cost 50p each so cheap we all made one kids love it the man called Ian was very friendly and helpful showed us some thongd kids loved it thank you very friendly place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fascinating history about the leather industry in Walsall. Guide was very good & kept my two Grandchildren enthralled throughout our visit, they even got to make their own leather key rings. Well worth a visit & it is free!
Source: google.com
This was such a good free museum. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the guided tour was really informative. If you get a chance to have a guided tour I'd certainly recommend it, as although the exhibits and information panels are good, having somebody explain the types of leather, tools, working conditions etc. really brought things to life.Another advantage of taking a guided tour is the hands-on opportunity to make a keyring. This really appealed to my children and all for the bargain price of 50p.
Visiting a leather museum may seem a bit obscure, but when you learn how important the industry was (and still is) to Walsall you really begin to appreciate the context and it really helps that the collection is housed in an old leather factory.
It was an excellent way to spend a rainy morning, and can be combined with a visit to the art gallery which is just a short walk away.
Visiting a leather museum may seem a bit obscure, but when you learn how important the industry was (and still is) to Walsall you really begin to appreciate the context and it really helps that the collection is housed in an old leather factory.
It was an excellent way to spend a rainy morning, and can be combined with a visit to the art gallery which is just a short walk away.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Easy to find-just off junction 10 of the M6 motorway. Pay and display car parking available just over the road. Entrance is free. There is a wealth of information available inside this quaint Victorian factory, on the leather trade in Walsall, describing the town's rise into an international saddle making centre.
There are exhibits of saddlery and leather goods as well as a workshop manned on the day we visited by Wendy and Paul, who between them have nearly 100 years of service in the leather industry-and nearly as many tales to tell! They really made our visit even more worthwhile.
You can make your own leather key ring and buy items that have been made in the workshop from the on site shop. Definitely worth a visit!
There are exhibits of saddlery and leather goods as well as a workshop manned on the day we visited by Wendy and Paul, who between them have nearly 100 years of service in the leather industry-and nearly as many tales to tell! They really made our visit even more worthwhile.
You can make your own leather key ring and buy items that have been made in the workshop from the on site shop. Definitely worth a visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely, interesting museum with helpful staff
Source: google.com
First of all I must tell you all that it's FREE entery!!? I count not believe it.i expected to be around for about an hour,how wrong was I, I ended up being there just over three hours wandering and looking around. The VOLUNTEER that showed me around had all the time in the world to show and explain in great detail of every question that I put to him. He impressed me so much that I am going back later this year for the day course!!!. BTW if you are like me and love old hand tools, then this is your hevan.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have aways passed the Museum 3 time a day some days. Then I visited with a mate visiting with his children in the school holidays.
I found it very interesting it was great for the kids they got all there questions answered
me as well. It a great pease of history I was very inlightend.
My mates kids have maid me a real leather belt, they are making leather things for thire mate.
Every one should go.
I found it very interesting it was great for the kids they got all there questions answered
me as well. It a great pease of history I was very inlightend.
My mates kids have maid me a real leather belt, they are making leather things for thire mate.
Every one should go.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
First visit even though I have been living in Walsall for 49 years!
Perhaps it's because before it was out of sight out of mind...however I have been driving past it since the new Tesco and college new buildings and there it was on show making me curious and planning a must visit sometime.
Today was the day...free...just walk in.
I asked the gentleman on the desk about the route, he said it was on two floors and easy enough to follow through.
So I began to explore. ..first the shop..then a walk way into the ground floor exhibitions...followed by a short flight of stairs as I believe there are no lifts here.
Interesting displays of old toys on this floor. Lovely views outside through the windows. Don't be alarmed as you walk further along as there are two dummies dressed as men working with leather. At the back there is an area to have a personalised key ring made by one of the staff.
There is a cafe and shop in this museum. ..I will be definitely be returning.
Oh I forgot to say I am a vegetarian and I always had a deep rooted fear of this place for my own silly reasons. ..however I was wrong. Please don't hesitate. ..come and enjoy a relaxing experience of Walsall's past, present and future.
thanks
Perhaps it's because before it was out of sight out of mind...however I have been driving past it since the new Tesco and college new buildings and there it was on show making me curious and planning a must visit sometime.
Today was the day...free...just walk in.
I asked the gentleman on the desk about the route, he said it was on two floors and easy enough to follow through.
So I began to explore. ..first the shop..then a walk way into the ground floor exhibitions...followed by a short flight of stairs as I believe there are no lifts here.
Interesting displays of old toys on this floor. Lovely views outside through the windows. Don't be alarmed as you walk further along as there are two dummies dressed as men working with leather. At the back there is an area to have a personalised key ring made by one of the staff.
There is a cafe and shop in this museum. ..I will be definitely be returning.
Oh I forgot to say I am a vegetarian and I always had a deep rooted fear of this place for my own silly reasons. ..however I was wrong. Please don't hesitate. ..come and enjoy a relaxing experience of Walsall's past, present and future.
thanks
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Learned a lot today. Two reasons for our visit - our home is a converted Tannery and the other half is taking up leatherwork as a hobby. Lots of help and advice on doing the leatherwork and researching our building when we return home. Many thanks to Paul and Wendy, lovely chatting to them.... and free admission, wow! Highly recommended for all ages.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This little museum is staffed by the friendliest people you could want to meet on a cold Saturday afternoon. We were greeted with warmth and good humour, and guided round the museum for an hour or so by Claire, the museum s answer to Google! She told us facts and figures, anecdotes and information in the most entertaining way and what we don t now know about the leather industry isn t worth knowing.
On some days, retired leather workers are in the museum demonstrating various skills and techniques, sadly not on Saturdays.
Entry is free, and although the café is temporarily closed, the staff will make a coffee or a cuppa for a small charge.
On some days, retired leather workers are in the museum demonstrating various skills and techniques, sadly not on Saturdays.
Entry is free, and although the café is temporarily closed, the staff will make a coffee or a cuppa for a small charge.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a god time here, was interesting and free. Got to make a key ring and had a lovely coffee in the tea room
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Good day out
Source: google.com
Walsall leather museum is brilliant. Logically laid out with great displays. Gives a real sense of the leather working industry in Walsall. Having said this, the staff are the crowning glory of the museum. All the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, however, Paul and Wendy are a unique asset having nearly 100 years experience working in the Walsall leather industry between them. They run a small workshop on the top floor but were more than happy to stop and talk to me about the museum and the industry. Highly recommend making a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An authentic leather worker building, outstanding exhibits and make your own leather keyrings. My out of town guests loved it.
Source: google.com
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
