Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Really interesting tour from Ron who is 88 and STILL working as a guide having started at 14 in the tanner as an apprentice.
The cafe is brilliant - top notch coffee for £1 Interesting well priced food; soup of the day + a sandwich for £1.75
The cafe is brilliant - top notch coffee for £1 Interesting well priced food; soup of the day + a sandwich for £1.75
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This museum is on two floors and includes a workshop. It tells the story of the Walsall leather industry. The workshop attendant was an amazing gentleman who proudly told us he was 90 and had been working - and continued to work - the leather for his entire working life. What he didn't know about it wasn't worth knowing. He was a real gem. The museum has a gift shop with reasonably priced items - many made of leather of course - and a cafe, which I didn't visit. I didn't think it would have been of particular interest to young children
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
council carpark opposite or tesco across the road free entry to the museum and friendly staff, shop with local leather goods, nice gardens and a reasonally priced cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This museum is really interesting and full of facts the staff where lovely and we really enjoyed ar selves there just wish it was a bit bigger as it was over to soon but still a must see place
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have visited the museum several times and have taken visitors there from all over the UK and Belgium. All have been fascinated by the history of the area and the leather-making and -working process. None of us has left feeling bored or dis-satisfied. The staff are always friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The café is small, but doesn't claim to be a restaurant. Again, the staff are friendly and the prices extremely reasonable. On our last visit it appeared to be a popular destination with locals for lunch. From start to finish, everyone wanted to make this a positive experience and they succeeded. We shall certainly return and introduce more visitors to this delightful museum.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Lived in Walsall,trained in Walsall and live close by now. This was my first visit and loved it. Was especially interested in the tanning as I used to live in Tanhouse Avenue. Staff friendly, exhibitions interesting and interactive.Nice grounds and cafe.Shall be going again soon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This brilliant walsall attraction will appeal to anyone that has an interest in social history, leather trade and hands on exhibitions.
The staff all seem absolutely committed to ensuring that visitors enjoy the experience and a big thank you to Claire for showing us around.
Sometimes we take for granted what is on our doorstep and I would encourage any locals to go and enjoy the experience plus the visitor I had with me from Yorkshire was blown away by how good it was , especially for free.
Thank you and may you long continue to promote Walsall and it's trades.
The staff all seem absolutely committed to ensuring that visitors enjoy the experience and a big thank you to Claire for showing us around.
Sometimes we take for granted what is on our doorstep and I would encourage any locals to go and enjoy the experience plus the visitor I had with me from Yorkshire was blown away by how good it was , especially for free.
Thank you and may you long continue to promote Walsall and it's trades.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
My friend and I visited on 17th October and found a warm welcome with very informative guides - all for free! We were particularly impressed with Ron who had worked in the leather trade for 70 years and now gives his time to explain and demonstrate the process of currying. We even took the opportunity of making a key fob and did some embossing. I would recommend this attraction to all age-groups.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A gem in the midst of Walsall. Welcoming people in the reception/shop and we were asked if we wanted a guide - a very pleasant , knowledgeable gentleman who said that he had been in the leather trade for 70 years guided my friend and I around the downstairs exhibition area, followed by another informative guide who showed us saddle-stitching, gold embossing and making keyrings. The shop had leather goods to suit all price ranges. Hopefully I will be able to return with my young nieces and nephew.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This Museum is positively an oasis in the somewhat scruffy and untidy town of Walsall , I felt ashamed on the approach to the museum but once we arrived the whole experience improved 100% our guides where obviously knowledgeable and keen to pass on their knowledge and experiences to us. The building is uséd to it's full advantage and is loveingly restored to give a good impression of it's former use. We had a very tasty lunch in the cafeteria which was very well presented and good value for money. All in all a very good day out I can recommend it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I bought two beautiful leather wallets at a very reasonable price for the quality of leather and workmanship and made in Walsall!!
The staff are friendly and helpful and even rang to arrange with a local 'gold blocking' company around the corner for me to have initials on the wallets. What brilliant customer service.
The staff are friendly and helpful and even rang to arrange with a local 'gold blocking' company around the corner for me to have initials on the wallets. What brilliant customer service.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Friendly and welcoming staff at museum. We had booked our grandchildren aged 5 and 7 on a 2 hour craft session. It was great. Highly recommended. We will go back again to visit the rest of the museum. We only had time to make key rings as a souvenir.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you're in the area, pay this museum a visit. Its free. Paid parking over the road (Walsall is paid parking mad) which is Ok at £1.40 for 2 hours. It takes you though the processes of the leather industry, and the internal staff who work or have worked within the trade really added their experience and enthusiasm for the industry. You can purchase local leather goods, so ladies forget your Prada hand bags - buy British, and at a fraction of the price.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Top quality venue & beautifully restored buildings.
Would recommend it to all!
The volunteers are very impressive. Educate yourself and your family about local things they don't teach you in school. It's even better because it's free........................................................................................................
Cafe was very reasonable too....................................................................
Would recommend it to all!
The volunteers are very impressive. Educate yourself and your family about local things they don't teach you in school. It's even better because it's free........................................................................................................
Cafe was very reasonable too....................................................................
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A highlight of our visit to this interesting local museum was meeting the elderly man who had formerly worked in the leather trade and was happy to share his stories with us and show us his tools and some of the hides he had worked on. This is an excellent small museum in interesting buildings which makes you aware of the cultural heritage of Walsall. And it's free!
While we were there people were busy doing classes in leatherwork. Upstairs another leather worker also explained about leather stitching. All the staff were friendly and informative.
Make time to see this if you are in Walsall.
While we were there people were busy doing classes in leatherwork. Upstairs another leather worker also explained about leather stitching. All the staff were friendly and informative.
Make time to see this if you are in Walsall.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free entry. The leather industry put Walsall on the map and the Museum is an excellent and interesting place to visit. With demonstrations from skilled leather workers and very well informed volunteers this is a place not to miss if you are visiting the area.
Have a bite to eat and a drink at the excellent cafe.
Have a bite to eat and a drink at the excellent cafe.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Hi there. We visited the leather museum and cafe today 28/6/14 having read previous reviews about cafe during February it is hard to believe It is the same cafe. We have had excellent and very friendly service. All I can assume is that different staff are now running it.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful museum, lovely staff willing to demonstrate and answer any questions. Also free entry. The tea room is also lovely, again very friendly and very good prices.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Walsall's fortunes were built on the leather industry, so it's good to have a museum in the town in a former leather mill. It gives an interesting insight into the leather industry, and is a good place to visit on a wet afternoon with the kids. Entry is free.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Although we live less than 10 miles away we had never visited before. What a great place. We took our two teenage daughters who I thought may have been a bit bored but even they enjoyed it. The receptionist was extremely helpful and friendly and asked us if we would like a tour, which we did. Ron the guide had worked in the industry for more than 70 years. He was incredibly knowledgeable and proud of what he could show to us. Keith the other guide at the museum demonstrated how small leather goods were made and was really skillful. Equally interesting displays of leather goods made for a very pleasant couple of hours spent out. We didn't eat at the cafe as we had brought a picnic with us. Well worth a visit and you only need a couple of hours.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We really like this little museum, the guys who demonstrate are funny and informative.
Great place if you are in to leather 8)
Great place if you are in to leather 8)
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
If you want to know about the history of Walsall's leather trade then this is the place to visit, and it's totally free. The staff are very informative and keen to answer any questions you may have, and if you are lucky enough to visit when Ron is demonstrating you are in for a treat.He is a vetran of 70+ years in the leather trade and what this guy doesn't know about leather isn't worth knowing. There is a shop which sells local leather good and books about leather and the history of the local area. There is also a cafe on site which is reasonably priced.So if you are after a cheap half day out then pop in and listen to the tales of Walsall's leather workers straight from the horses mouth.The museum is closed Mondays unless it's a Bank Holiday when it is open with activities put on for the children at a small cost.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Great museum all about the history of leather production in Walsall and the black country, very friendly and knowledgeable staff happy to answer any questions you may have.
The shop is full of locally made products, for all price ranges from a few pounds to a few hundred, council pay and display car park across the road.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
The shop is full of locally made products, for all price ranges from a few pounds to a few hundred, council pay and display car park across the road.
Well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A great little museum that every visitor to Walsall should set aside some time to visit. Loads of interesting exhibits showing how creative the leather workers were through the ages and a good eye opener about how much hard work they had to do.
There are people in the museum who will chat to you. They are people who spent years of their lives working in the industry. If (as we did) you arrive at the same time as another group be sure to take time to allow the people to finish talking to the other group so you can ask questions.
There are people in the museum who will chat to you. They are people who spent years of their lives working in the industry. If (as we did) you arrive at the same time as another group be sure to take time to allow the people to finish talking to the other group so you can ask questions.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
The museum is a sheer delight.The same can not be said of the cafe.I have never encountered such dreadful service.The depths of which would equal Basil Fawlty on a bad day.
My partner ordered a soup starter and a lasagne main.Both were issued at the same time.I was met with astonishment when I told the lady behind the counter that they needed to be served seperately in order that the main would be warm(Hot was too much to ask).She grudginly took the lasagne back.When my partner returned for her lasagne it was stone cold.The same lady said it was hot.If she has any catering qualification then she should be ashamed of herself.We will return again but will dine in Tesco's over the road
My partner ordered a soup starter and a lasagne main.Both were issued at the same time.I was met with astonishment when I told the lady behind the counter that they needed to be served seperately in order that the main would be warm(Hot was too much to ask).She grudginly took the lasagne back.When my partner returned for her lasagne it was stone cold.The same lady said it was hot.If she has any catering qualification then she should be ashamed of herself.We will return again but will dine in Tesco's over the road
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
