Leather Museum
Admission to the Museum is free
Discover why Walsall became the British leather goods capital in this fascinating working museum, housed in a restored leather factory.
For two hundred years Walsall people have been making some of the world's finest saddles and leather goods. Walsall Leather Museum seeks to celebrate this great tradition and reflect the achievements of the leather craftsmen and women of Walsall.
In our atmospheric workshops you can watch skilled leather workers in the process of hand-crafting leather goods such as wallets and purses and perhaps have-a-go yourself. The displays around the museum tell the stories of the Walsall leather trade and feature splendid examples of local craftsmanship past and present, including saddles made for the Royal Family and exciting contemporary designs.
"Excellent, friendly and welcoming staff, well maintained grounds and buildings together with very high standards of presentation, interpretation and cleanliness throughout all areas of the museum…fresh flowers, daily newspapers and clean menu cards added a welcoming feel to the café… The museum continues to offer a very good quality visitor experience, with staff providing very high standards in visitor welcome….The museum has met the standards of the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service at a very high standard." (Extract from our VAQAS report for 2010)
Walsall is still home to over ninety leather companies between them making an astonishing variety of items which are exported to most parts of the world.
Attractions and facilities - free admission
- Guided tours available
- Conference facilities
- Live demonstrations of traditional leather crafts in our period workshops. You can watch skilled leatherworkers in the process of hand crafting leather goods such as wallets and purses and perhaps have-a-go yourself. Leatherworking demonstrations are held throughout the day on Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.
- Superb shop, selling a wide variety of Walsall-made leather goods such as purses, wallets, handbags and belts at discounted prices. The shop also sells a wide range of books and souvenir items.
- Saddle Room coffee shop serving a selection of home-made meals and cakes.
- Exciting events programme, including craft fairs, workshops and annual leather festival
- Attractive gardens and picnic area
- Baby-changing facilities
- The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, including toilet facilities.
- Visitors with special needs are welcome.
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Links
- Archaeological Leather Group
- Black Country History
- Leather Conservation Centre
- Museum of Leather craft
- Northamptonshire Leather
- Society of Master Saddlers
- The Worshipful Company of Curriers
- The Worshipful Company of Saddlers
- Workshop of the World
Opening times 2013
Open (Admission is free) | Closed |
| Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm (November to March) | Sundays and Mondays (Except dates shown on left*) |
| Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm (April to October) | Good Friday |
| *Easter Monday - 1 April | Easter Sunday |
| *August bank holiday - 26 August | May Day |
| Christmas 25 - 27 December | |
| New Year's Day |
Location
Walsall Leather Museum is situated on the edge of Walsall town centre, on the A4148 Littleton Street West ring road. Junctions 7, 9, and 10 of the M6 are nearby.
Walsall is within half-an-hour's drive of Birmingham, Lichfield, Dudley and Wolverhampton. A pay and display car park is opposite the museum. The museum is a short walk from the local bus and train stations.
Google map
Contact usLeather Museum Telephone 01922 721153 |  |  | Winner!Marsh Trust Award 2011“In recognition of an outstanding contribution to engaging museum audiences.” (regional winner for West Midlands). |
This page was last updated on 26 April 2013