Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Really great place to visit ... We very very impressed and thought the staff were very knowledgeable.. Quite a bit to see ... Will be going back to spend a bit more time there ... Also surprised to find it wasfree...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I went with a group of friends from U3A. We had a very interesting tour of the museum with one of the volunteers, Ian, who was informative and entertaining. Then we met 2 retired leatherworkers, Wendy and Paul, who gave us an idea on what it was like to work with leather from cutting out to finishing. They were enthusiastic and proud to have been part of the long tradition of leatherwork in Walsall. Everyone answered our many questions with patience and I came away wondering why most of us had never visited the museum before. It needs as much support as possible to continue educating visitors and schoolchildren. MT, Solihull
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
After driving past for a few years finally made the time to go in and have a look we found it to be a fascinating place, lovely staff, very informative, enjoyed our visit and will be returning soon
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I visited the museum on Friday 26th February 2016, with a group of friends, traveling there by train from Solihull. We had a tour guide called Ian, who was extremely informative on the history of leather making, and we enjoyed the tour immensely. The highlight, at the end of our tour, was meeting two retired workers in the leather industry,Paul and Wendy, who talked to us about their 45 year careers working in Walsall. It was great being able to ask questions and get answers from two people with all that practical experience of working with leather. The tour lasted about 11/2 hours, which included about a 20 minute talk and demonstration from Paul and Wendy.
The tour was free and I commend Walsall Council for supporting the museum.
We had a very good value lunch after our tour in their café.
The tour was free and I commend Walsall Council for supporting the museum.
We had a very good value lunch after our tour in their café.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
By arrangement we had coffee/tea on arrival in the meeting room where we were able to leave our personal belongings whilst having a tour lasting about 1.5hours. The tour guide was knowledgeable and amusing. In addition we were entertained by 2 volunteers who, between them, had more than 90 years experience in the leather industry: in their workroom we were each able to make a small embossed souvenir to take away. We then had a very pleasant and inexpensive lunch in the meeting room. The whole experience was interesting, educative and enjoyable.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I took a mixed age (15-18) and ability group of special needs pupils for a visit to the Leather Museum the pupils took part in two workshops, a tour of the museum and a handling session of leather artefacts.
The workshops were well organised and delivered to the pupils needs, The Museum tour was informative and the pupils all loved the activities. It was super value for money and a lovely environment, with excellent staff. It is a hidden gem and I will definitely be taking other groups of pupils for a visit.
You can have a quick visit or extend the time by booking workshops. The Museum also runs Weekend courses for adults and children, also holiday activities for children.
The only room for improvement would be the toilet provision for a group visit.
The workshops were well organised and delivered to the pupils needs, The Museum tour was informative and the pupils all loved the activities. It was super value for money and a lovely environment, with excellent staff. It is a hidden gem and I will definitely be taking other groups of pupils for a visit.
You can have a quick visit or extend the time by booking workshops. The Museum also runs Weekend courses for adults and children, also holiday activities for children.
The only room for improvement would be the toilet provision for a group visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Excellent friendly welcome. Interesting real things to see. Plenty of activities for young ones. We spoke with a fascinating lady who had spent half a century working in the leather industry - full of knowledge and experience. The little cafe was very pleasant and the staff in the shop were very helpful and had very good product knowledge. Clean, pleasant facilities and charming staff.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My wife and I have lived in Walsall for many years and are well into retirement , I saw advertised an exhibition re the airship raid on Walsall and the black country hence the very first visit we not only saw the exhibit but as it was situated within the leather museum we also saw how leather has been worked over the centuries here , with out going on too much I would like to say the museum and its staff are a credit to the place and what it stands for, our past history and how proud we should all be , many thanks for a most informative and interesting visit and we will most certainly highly recommend people to visit as we intend to again in the future.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Spent about an hour here with 2 children (aged 4 and 6) last year. It was a gem of a museum. The children found it an interesting experience and enjoyed making their key rings. Staff really knowledgeable and happy to answer my children's questions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The museum is easy to find and entrance is free, and though the museum is not large it is interesting to visit with historical exhibits and some hands on stuff too.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Visiting the museum is an excellent way to spend half a day: welcoming and helpful staff throughout and the exhibits well presented, interesting and informative. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the collection and were fascinated by the workshops set out as they would have been when in full production. We ended our visit by having lunch in the bright and cheerful cafe. Can thoroughly recommend the curry: very tasty and good value for money...
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Found it very pleasant and very educational. Lived in Walsall all my life and didn't know half things that was told me
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Beautiful and attractive collection. It is also well organised and presented by people who are really nice and available :)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
On a very wet and windy morning, I set off to make a visit to this well established and inviting museum, quite local to my home. The plan was to take a look around and invite my father, who came along with me, to select a Walsall made leather wallet as a 92nd birthday gift.
The building was warm and immediately inviting. The smiles on the staff in the reception areas confirmed that our choice of venue was a good one. We firstly visited the cafe which was beautifully set out and brightly decorated. The two gingerbread lates which we enjoyed were delicious and at £1.80 each the cheapest to date that I have purchased!
On to the guided tour by local historian and author, Ian Bott. His tour was perfect. It was informative and interesting with touches of humour. He also invited us to be part of his dialogue which made the whole experience refreshingly informative. Then on to a demonstration of leather goods making by Keith Parker. He is a skilled leather worker and has a wonderful way of delivering facts about the leather industry and all the processes. We all learned a lot from him today and had great pleasure in doing so.
Back to the shop where my father selected a beautifully made and very reasonably priced dark green wallet. He was delighted with the purchase. Ian Bott was very happy to sign two of his historical books that we bought in the shop. We really look forward to reading them.
The town of Walsall can be proud of it's historical significance in the leather trade. Did you know that the Queen has her handbags made especially for her in Walsall? Walsall also makes all the saddles for the horses belonging to the Royal Family. Did you know that? If not, go along to hear more interesting facts about the leather industry which is alive and well in Walsall.
Support your local museum! You'll be pleased that you did.
The building was warm and immediately inviting. The smiles on the staff in the reception areas confirmed that our choice of venue was a good one. We firstly visited the cafe which was beautifully set out and brightly decorated. The two gingerbread lates which we enjoyed were delicious and at £1.80 each the cheapest to date that I have purchased!
On to the guided tour by local historian and author, Ian Bott. His tour was perfect. It was informative and interesting with touches of humour. He also invited us to be part of his dialogue which made the whole experience refreshingly informative. Then on to a demonstration of leather goods making by Keith Parker. He is a skilled leather worker and has a wonderful way of delivering facts about the leather industry and all the processes. We all learned a lot from him today and had great pleasure in doing so.
Back to the shop where my father selected a beautifully made and very reasonably priced dark green wallet. He was delighted with the purchase. Ian Bott was very happy to sign two of his historical books that we bought in the shop. We really look forward to reading them.
The town of Walsall can be proud of it's historical significance in the leather trade. Did you know that the Queen has her handbags made especially for her in Walsall? Walsall also makes all the saddles for the horses belonging to the Royal Family. Did you know that? If not, go along to hear more interesting facts about the leather industry which is alive and well in Walsall.
Support your local museum! You'll be pleased that you did.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Fabulous visit, friendly staff. Enjoyed demonstration by Claire on leather stitching, she encouraged us to gave a go. Would recommend this unique museum
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Returned today after not having visited for some months, took two friends, all greatly enjoyed the museum, shop and lovely little cafe - great inexpensive food.
Cleanest loos anywhere. Staff very friendly.
Cleanest loos anywhere. Staff very friendly.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
FANTASTIC visit..everybody very friendly and knowledgeable...our first visit to this museum (even though we used to live in the UK) and I recommend it very highly. It's so interesting to have heard and seen all about the leather trades in Walsall...such a shame that they have declined...Hope this musuem continues to tell this story. Thankyou to all for the visit!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The chance to make your own keyring is a big sell to the under 5s! They love it here, and the museum has been thoughtfully laid out.
Walsall's survival as specialist industrial centre is explained - it would be great if there was a chance to buy repros of the beautiful posters displayed throughout the museum.
The cafe was quick and fine for basics (toasties, teacakes, bacon roll). It was toddler friendly too.
We spent an hour and a half here - and the girls want to go back soon.
Walsall's survival as specialist industrial centre is explained - it would be great if there was a chance to buy repros of the beautiful posters displayed throughout the museum.
The cafe was quick and fine for basics (toasties, teacakes, bacon roll). It was toddler friendly too.
We spent an hour and a half here - and the girls want to go back soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A cracking little museum giving insight into the industry so important to Walsall.The place is brought to light by enthusiastic and knowledgable staff. Also has a splendid cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I am a historian researching the history of leather works and saddle-making and this museum was a revelation!
Some times it is so hard to imagine how things were before the evolution of mechanisms and computers and what the materiality of these workshops would be.
Britain has a long history of leather crafts and it is quite important to promote the accessibility to knowledge of tradition and history. Genre museums are so much easier for the public to relate to and unravel the lifestyle of the non-upper class and non-royals that is promoted in high-end portrait galleries and art museums.
Some times it is so hard to imagine how things were before the evolution of mechanisms and computers and what the materiality of these workshops would be.
Britain has a long history of leather crafts and it is quite important to promote the accessibility to knowledge of tradition and history. Genre museums are so much easier for the public to relate to and unravel the lifestyle of the non-upper class and non-royals that is promoted in high-end portrait galleries and art museums.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a real hidden treasure of a museum. It offers lots of unexpected insights into the history of Walsall as a whole - as well as the history of making leather, of course. Lots of nice touches in the exhibits, and a very helpful and friendly tone all round. The staff were tremendous - particularly the demonstrators. The whole visit was a pleasure from start to finish . Walsall should be proud of this museum!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I have to agree with previous comments, this is a very enjoyable museum, well presented, good storyboards, friendly staff and a great opportunity to find out how everyday items that we all use are made. Particularly pleasing to know that the trade still survives in the area and to have enthusiastic explanation from a talented local craftsman.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Well worth a visit if you want to learn about the history of Walsall during the industrial revolution and the leather industry in the area
Source: google.com
Really nice staff and café
Source: google.com
First class
Source: google.com
