Walsall Leather Museum
Latest Reviews
Friendly guides, nice cafe - interesting little museum and the chance to make your own keyring fob or take some items home.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
I visited with my one and half year old son and was worried he wouldn't be interested, but there were plenty of things for him to do. We did a egg hunt, he rode on a rocking horse, did jigsaws, dressed up, made a badge and keyring. He loved it. I will definitely be bringing him back again soon. I can't believe it was free and wouldn't mind paying a little for entry. The staff were so friendly and helpful and the facilities were clean and tidy. There also was a good selection of toys / items from the shop all for good prices. I would recommend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We have just returned from Walsall leather museum .Our two grandchildren did the craft session this morning , making a peacock for £1 each with all materials included . We wandered round museum afterwards reading its history and finding 8 hidden eggs for a prize at the end ! The children made a gold embossed leather key ring for 60p each . All the staff are really lovely and helpful . The toilets are clean and tidy and hot drinks are available from reception . It’s free to look round so a win win morning out for the Easter break .
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited as a small group. The staff were friendly and really helpful. The museum is a great place to learn about the history of the leather trade in Walsall as well as some of the history of Walsall itself.
Upstairs retired leather workers give a real insight into working with leather and there is an opportunity to make either a key fob (60p) or a book mark (£1.00).
We spent just under two hours here and parked just over the road in a pay and display car park
Upstairs retired leather workers give a real insight into working with leather and there is an opportunity to make either a key fob (60p) or a book mark (£1.00).
We spent just under two hours here and parked just over the road in a pay and display car park
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited Walsall Leather Museum today and had a brilliant time. We enjoyed our guided tour which discused things like the history of the museum, the development of handbags throughout the decades, where leather comes from and an age appropriate explanation of the process from animal to product. This was then followed by a workshop where young and old got to choose a stamp to emboss a leather keyring to take home. In our final workshop we got to make dragons or Viking purses, there were charges for this which were an absolute bargain for the skill we learned and the product we got at the end. Staff were lovely throughout the entire museum, happy to help and share information, answer questions. Once he workshops were finished we were free to wonder round the museum and gardens at our leisure and browse in the gift shop, where it was good to find products that had been made right there in the museum itself, including Wendy's gorgeous selection of purses and other small leather goods. It's an absolute gem of a museum, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Took my Mum here for an early Mother's day out. Very friendly staff/volunteers.
Paul the leather craftsman was there since it was Friday, he took the time to talk with us and left us with a very memorable experience!
The Museum is free but I recommend giving them a donation and having a look at their shop as it is potentially under threat, needs to be kept open as it is part of Walsall.
Paul the leather craftsman was there since it was Friday, he took the time to talk with us and left us with a very memorable experience!
The Museum is free but I recommend giving them a donation and having a look at their shop as it is potentially under threat, needs to be kept open as it is part of Walsall.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We greatly enjoyed our homeschool visit to the Leather Museum. The Curator, Mr David Mills, was very helpful and enthusiastic in helping us put together a suitable programme of activities for a wide range of ages (5 - 13yos), and the older children particularly enjoyed their maths/history session on code-breaking with Garry, one of their volunteer teachers.
The Museum is highly engaging with plenty of hands-on activities for the very young and not-so-young. Each session was pitched at just the right level for the children in that group and the staff leading the sessions were knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed their work.
We highly recommend the Leather Museum for an interesting and educational day-out and hope they will continue to go from strength to strength!
The Museum is highly engaging with plenty of hands-on activities for the very young and not-so-young. Each session was pitched at just the right level for the children in that group and the staff leading the sessions were knowledgeable and clearly enjoyed their work.
We highly recommend the Leather Museum for an interesting and educational day-out and hope they will continue to go from strength to strength!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free entry. Easy parking. Quite a small place so easy to fit in with other things. There was a large group present so I didn't get to see the live speaker, who sounded great. So I'm going back, as the quality of the speaker would probably move this museum up from average to excellent. So I'd recommend you check, they have someone in, which they appear to have most days. Local leather items in the shop. What a heritage area, with "everything for the horse"!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
and visit this fascinating museum. We spent a happy couple of hours here, learning all about leather and the history of the trade in Walsall. I didn't realise that they still make saddles in Walsall which are exported all over the world. We only made leather key rings with metal dies and foil, which was great fun. Entry is free, donations welcome. There is a lovely garden alongside, perfect for a picnic in the Summer.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the Leather Museum as we were in Walsall visiting friends anyway and had often seen the signs for it and wondered what it was like, husband being a leather crafter himself.
The museum didn't disappoint. Firstly, it's completely free and for being a free museum the displays are very well organised and the amount of information very interesting. It was a very hands on museum and it was interesting to see the different leathers and tools. Also, the guides on hand who showed us how to make keyrings to take away were very kind and informative and took their time with all our group and it was obvious they'd take the time with younger visitors as well.
The museum didn't disappoint. Firstly, it's completely free and for being a free museum the displays are very well organised and the amount of information very interesting. It was a very hands on museum and it was interesting to see the different leathers and tools. Also, the guides on hand who showed us how to make keyrings to take away were very kind and informative and took their time with all our group and it was obvious they'd take the time with younger visitors as well.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We came as a three generation family and every age was catered for. Our girls loved dressing up, learning about the different types of leather and making their own key rings! The staff were very friendly and helpful. We would highly recommend this for a fun and educational half day out!
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful example of how a museum should be, in our opinion. Informative, accessible, comprehensive and evocative of a time past. For us, two hours wasn't enough time to absorb all that this little gem had to offer, but we will certainly return. Go, you won't regret it
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Free entrance to this museum. Staff were all helpful. We got keyrings and we were able to cut our own leather design of keyrings.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
What a lovely way to spend a couple of hours. Learning about the art of saddlery etc. Very interesting exhibitions & displays plenty of articles & information. & very nice staff. Thank you for a fab afternoon.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Had a lovely couple of hours here today. Museum is free - a rareity in itself. It's authentic, informative and littlie especially loved embossing her own keyring.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A wonderful little museum, lots of hands on exhibits run by very friendly and knowledgeable people. Would heartily reccomend.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
An absolute gem of a museum. Spent a very pleasant and informative afternoon learning of the manufacture and history of the leather industry and its importance to the growth and prosperity of Walsall.The staff were very friendly and informative and didn't hesitate to answer any question we posed.Altogether very good. Highly reccommended.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a great Museum to visit with so much history on leather and sadlery. A lovely shop with leather handbags, belts and other leather goods for sale. A cafe and very helpful staff.Well worth a visit and it is free entry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
A really interesting museum giving a fascinating insight into the lives of workers in the industry and the processes involved in transforming leather from the raw material to the finished article. The craftsmenship involved in producing the leather goods is astonishing. The staff and volunteers are knowledgeable (full of amusing anecdotes) and friendly. There’s an irresistible shop serving refreshments and parking close by. Well worth a visit. Worried that re-branding it as the Walsall Museum will detract from its renowned focus on the leather industry.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a lovely museum and tells the story of leathercraft well. I attend to take part in organised craft events but always like to have a look round the rest of the museum.
I would have given this place 5 stars but it currently has no cafe. You can purchase tea or coffee but it used to have a lovely cafe too. I believe that there is talk of a new cafe soon.
Museum is fully accessible and the staff have always been polite and professional. They make you feel very welcome.
I would have given this place 5 stars but it currently has no cafe. You can purchase tea or coffee but it used to have a lovely cafe too. I believe that there is talk of a new cafe soon.
Museum is fully accessible and the staff have always been polite and professional. They make you feel very welcome.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
what a treasure,i would tell anyone with kids to take them here.and if their are no kids go yourself !
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
This is a gem of a museum, quite small, but really interesting. The staff couldn't have been more helpful, and I learnt a lot about the social as well as the industrial history of Walsall. I would definitely recommend a visit.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We would happily have paid to enter this fairly small museum, which to our surprise was free.We learnt a lot about the leather industry in Walsall, which was a lot more interesting than it might sound. There were also some other exhibits of interest. The highlight was the volunteers (there on a Friday) - people who had started work in the industry in the 60s, and had many interesting stories to tell. Apparently they also do events for school kids, and I would think they be very good at this - friendly nice people.
Nb no parking on site - we found parking a couple of roads away, otherwise we would have looked for a public car park nearby.
Nb no parking on site - we found parking a couple of roads away, otherwise we would have looked for a public car park nearby.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
We visited the museum with a 6 and a 4 year old. It's a place we've always wanted to see as we enjoy museums as a family. We had a free guided tour which was very easy to arrange. Claire was very friendly and approachable and pitched her talk perfectly to suit our girls who tend to lose interest quite quickly. Going around the museum, they stayed engaged and asked Claire questions, which she answered very happily. The highlight for them was definitely making a keychain. They were able to choose a design and operate the press with Claire's help. We also had a sewing tutorial and a chance to have a go, which proved rather tricky for inexperienced hands but a doddle for a skilled worker of the yester years. Claire's painted a realistic picture of what it was like working there as a sticher, cutter or currier. We learnt a lot about the history of the leather industry. Personally, I found the saddle making most interesting as I used to ride horses in my youth.
I would recommend a visit to this fantastic museum to anyone who is passing through/staying in Walsall or surrounding areas.
I would recommend a visit to this fantastic museum to anyone who is passing through/staying in Walsall or surrounding areas.
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
Bits just out side the town about 5 minutes and its a reminder of our past The middles was the main industry area and our goods went all over the world and even today you can experience the past and how leather was produced and the things it was made into by visiting the museum, its free to go in and you can have a nice sit down after your tour round and have a nice hot drink in the cafe
Source: tripadvisor.co.uk
