Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Excellent museum, full of facts and artifacts, several staff with first hand experience and stories. This is well worth a visit and what's more, it is FREE. A great insight into how Walsall's leather industry came about. We visited on a Friday, two volunteers were in the demonstration area who had 90+ years experience between them. They spent a lot of time talking to us and are an asset to the Museum. They were extremely friendly, knowledgable, great fun with fascinating stories which made the visit enjoyable and gave us a wonderful insight into real life in these factories. Fantastic, you will not be disappointed.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A lovely little museum reminding us of our history and skill.
It has the bonus of a beautiful and immaculate garden.
A real treat.
It has the bonus of a beautiful and immaculate garden.
A real treat.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This museum is a little gem and us a must for every age . It is free! There is a cafe and a shop where you can purchase locally made goods --- and we did. The museum staff volunteer and demonstrate the many processes and techniques used in making leather goods. Very interesting .... Don't miss it!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A real surprise to find this gem of a museum. Admittedly, my American pal and I had some knowledge but we had such a genuine welcome, good coffee(!) and such an interesting tour.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
It was a horrible wet afternoon in Walsall but it was a bright time in the museum. It was really interesting to read the plaques on the wall that brokedown the history of leather production in this small market town and how it is still impacting the place although not on the scale that it use to be. It was great to have a go at the sewing (harder than it looks) but the two peopl who gave the deomstartion ahd added to the history were BRILLIANT (shame, i am so bad at remembering names). Definitely worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited the Walsall Leather Museum when I visited Walsall on business recently. It is a small museum and I didn't have much expectations prior to my trip but I really enjoyed it. It was very informative and I learned more about leather in that visit than what I know in my life in 50 years. The presentation and demo by Keith was brilliant, interesting, and educational (as he has hands-on experience in the leather industry) and I am sure that adults will love it for the contents of his talk and the kids may love it for the demonstration of exotic leather varieties. The little (but pleasantly decorated) cafe is nice too with some good food. Overall, it was a great experience!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My son (12) loves this museum. The staff are really friendly, and even though it hasn't got the budget for flashy I.T. displays there are still lots of things for the children to do in terms of crafts and quizzes of a kind that you couldn't see anywhere else. This is a unique museum about a key element of Walsall's past and I highly recommend it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We were most impressed with the leather museum. It was very welcoming and user friendly. The exhibits were most interesting and happily on the day we were there a great character called Keith was upstairs and gave us a detailed explanation of the small leather good workshop. Recommended
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a well presented exhibition, showing the history of Walsall's leather industry, their occasional special shows are always interesting and the in-house restaurant is quite good, a little oasis in the centre of the town.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Some really interesting exhibits and demonstrations giving a fascinating insight into Walsall's leather trade, and when you are done the cafe does some mouthwatering cakes; delicious with a cup of coffee or pot of tea
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We spent well over an hour looking around this lovely interesting museum. It is so well put together giving a clear history of the industry throughout the centuries. A tour is available and although we did not have sufficient time to join it the guide was very informative. The chance to smell and feel the leather made the visit very multi sensory - great for kids! Great exhibition of 'Hodsons shop' - fashion, old docs etc - a little bit of vintage.
The staff were welcoming and helpful. A cafe is also on site (not sampled). All this for free?!!! Thank you - we'll be back.
The staff were welcoming and helpful. A cafe is also on site (not sampled). All this for free?!!! Thank you - we'll be back.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a marvellous small museum inhabiting one of Walsall's old leather works close to the college and easy to reach from the ring road by car or from the town centre on foot. As well as informing the amazingly long, complex and hard work needed to tan leather and showing examples of all the different sorts of leather, the museum allows you to meet people who have spent their entire working lives making saddles and preparing smaller leather items. You can make your own key rings or pencil cases and there are many fine examples of the saddles which made Walsall famous. Top it all off with visit to the excellent cafe with tables inside and outside in the leafy garden. It's a lovely place!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
very interesting well worth a visit even for children, I went with my wife daughter and granddaughter.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We live very close and went as a family for a day out we parked locally and really enjoyed it the volunteers that work their are fantastic and really knowledgable and took our visit from a walk round the museum to an interactive experience with a very entertaining gentleman who had lots to tell us and show us
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I had the idea to buy my husband a wallet from the leather museum for our third anniversary. Although no wallets took my fancy the man in the gift shop was very helpful and offered numerous alternatives. After finding and buying two beautiful leather luggage tags, he suggested that I could make and personally stamp a leather key-ring. Ian was brilliant up in the leather crafting area, finding countless colours of leather and a huge variety of stamps to suit my particular taste. The finished products were 2 lovely key-rings that I had helped to make personally. For the crazy price of £1 each!! I was expecting and happy to pay 5 times that for such a wonderful, personal service and experience. To top it off we popped into the cafe for a quick drink and a cake and the service, atmosphere, quality and price were brilliant! Thank you Walsall Leather Museum!! I will be mentioning you to my school as I think the opportunities you offer are FANTASTIC, hopefully I'll be back with my class of 30 soon 😃
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Brilliant. Lovely members of staff who are very friendly. Lots of little activities to do around the museum. A little activity to search for items and then they collect a treat. Regular sessions to book on for crafts. Particularly impressed by the leather craftsman upstairs who we made a key ring with and tried fancy dress clothing on. Thanks
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited on Friday after finding ourselves at a loose end for an hour or so, only a few minutes walk from Walsall town centre so an ideal location.
We found it very welcoming with the man on the desk talking to the kids telling the about the trails and quiz etc. He also offered us the use of the lift for the buggy, but we left it downstairs instead.
Museum was small but well laid out and interesting to somebody who had never been before. Kids followed the quiz and trail finding the answers and horse names around the museum to get a sweet on the way out.
There is a nice room upstairs which is probably the heart of the place, the two older members of staff were amazing and such an asset to the place. Very knowledgeable and patient with the kids. They each made a leather keyring, choosing the picture and embossing it themselves under supervision. It was just a contribution of 50p each towards the keyring, but this was the highlight of the visit and they've showed them off to everybody since the visit. We were also a told about the activities in the summer holidays although we live too far to pop back for these.
This would be a perfect visit for a rainy afternoon or day.
We would definitely visit again if we are over that way with a few spare hours. An ideal summer holiday activity!!
We found it very welcoming with the man on the desk talking to the kids telling the about the trails and quiz etc. He also offered us the use of the lift for the buggy, but we left it downstairs instead.
Museum was small but well laid out and interesting to somebody who had never been before. Kids followed the quiz and trail finding the answers and horse names around the museum to get a sweet on the way out.
There is a nice room upstairs which is probably the heart of the place, the two older members of staff were amazing and such an asset to the place. Very knowledgeable and patient with the kids. They each made a leather keyring, choosing the picture and embossing it themselves under supervision. It was just a contribution of 50p each towards the keyring, but this was the highlight of the visit and they've showed them off to everybody since the visit. We were also a told about the activities in the summer holidays although we live too far to pop back for these.
This would be a perfect visit for a rainy afternoon or day.
We would definitely visit again if we are over that way with a few spare hours. An ideal summer holiday activity!!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a lovely little museum with something of interest for all ages. The exhibition from the Hodson sisters' shop will bring back lovely memories for the more mature visitors. Beautiful leather work and information on the history of the leather industry in Walsall. Well worth a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have driven past here many times,and always wanted to visit, today presented the opportunity.
Lovely,friendly,welcoming staff. I enjoyed pottering round ,looking at and touching all the samples of hide.
The "sister's shop" was like stepping back in time, I'd happily wear many of the dresses on display now!
The best part was meeting Keith, who explained a lot about working with leather, and seeing the stunning creations he has made.He was friendly,informative and knowledgeable.
Had to practically throw me out as it was closing time!
WoulD definitely recommend a visit, and will go again and bring more of my family. Lovely for all ages ( they had a quiz for children too)
And, I was very pleasantly surprised that it was free.
Lovely,friendly,welcoming staff. I enjoyed pottering round ,looking at and touching all the samples of hide.
The "sister's shop" was like stepping back in time, I'd happily wear many of the dresses on display now!
The best part was meeting Keith, who explained a lot about working with leather, and seeing the stunning creations he has made.He was friendly,informative and knowledgeable.
Had to practically throw me out as it was closing time!
WoulD definitely recommend a visit, and will go again and bring more of my family. Lovely for all ages ( they had a quiz for children too)
And, I was very pleasantly surprised that it was free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Very interesting and informative exhibits including some inter-active displays and opportunity to make a leather key ring. Great display of 1920 to 1950 clothes and sewing materials from the Hodson family drapery shop.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We discovered the museum after a recommendation from a friend last year.
Attend the summer holiday craft workshops - think we went to about 4 last year. There was a super heroes theme! The kids loved the craft and the staff were very friendly and accommodating - really great in their interactions with the children.
I have also brought visitors here- after a wander around the small museum you can enjoy your own picnic (only on the outdoor tables) or try something from the cafe. We usually bring our own and had been fortunate the weather was dry!
The museum is small - but perfect for those - young and old- with a short attention span. The museum also includes a treasure hunt to keep young ones engaged and enthusiastic about interacting with the exhibits! At the end of the museum tour you get to make a leather keyring for a small fee.
We have returned again this summer and made a Viking purse! They also have a family fun day on the August bank holiday that we have not tried yet but a friend said it was good fun!
Would recommend a visit- check their website for details of activities or call in.
Attend the summer holiday craft workshops - think we went to about 4 last year. There was a super heroes theme! The kids loved the craft and the staff were very friendly and accommodating - really great in their interactions with the children.
I have also brought visitors here- after a wander around the small museum you can enjoy your own picnic (only on the outdoor tables) or try something from the cafe. We usually bring our own and had been fortunate the weather was dry!
The museum is small - but perfect for those - young and old- with a short attention span. The museum also includes a treasure hunt to keep young ones engaged and enthusiastic about interacting with the exhibits! At the end of the museum tour you get to make a leather keyring for a small fee.
We have returned again this summer and made a Viking purse! They also have a family fun day on the August bank holiday that we have not tried yet but a friend said it was good fun!
Would recommend a visit- check their website for details of activities or call in.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The museum is free entry and very informative for those interested in local heritage. The museum runs lots of free/cheap childrens craft activites during the school holidays as well as the adult craft workshops, evening speakers and murder mystery nights! I recently did a mosaic workshop with friends and we had a brilliant time. The onsite cafe, The Saddleroom, has a lovely menu and is a really nice place to go, you can also sit out in the garden area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
well worth a couple of hours if you are in the area, fascinating and informative about the towns leather manufacturing past, and leather in general. more interesting than it sounds, excellent refreshments, great staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This place is free, but has more than enough interesting exhibits to entertain for a good couple of hours. Fantastic to see the history of leather in Walsall then speak to the demonstrators. This was definitely the best bit as they are hugely knowledgeable and very articulate on the subject of small leather goods.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is an excellent venue with interesting items on show, staff who show a genuine interest and perfect refreshments.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
