Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
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
Grandchildren enjoyed all the actIvities , and the Cafe was good for lunch . Staff were very friendly & helpful.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great free historical museum that promotes the interesting industrial heritage of Walsall, keep up the good work.
Source: google.com
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
It's ok
Source: google.com
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
