Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Walsall, Staffordshire

A manufacturing town in the West Midlands conurbation, Walsall is renowned for its leather-making industry dating back to the era of horse-drawn travel.

The history of this industry can be explored at the notable Walsall Leather Museum, where an experienced craftsman will demonstrate the traditional techniques employed in the creation of saddles and bridles at Walsall’s workshops.

The town also boasts an art gallery featuring an impressive collection of works by sculptor Jacob Epstein, alongside high-quality temporary exhibitions showcasing artists such as Damien Hirst.

For those interested in examining the industrial heritage of the Black Country, nearby Willenhall contains a preserved lock-maker’s cottage, while Bilston features an enamel craft centre and a restored coal railway to the north at Chasewater.

Let’s explore the notable attractions in Walsall:

1. Walsall Leather Museum

At the start of the 20th century, approximately 10,000 individuals were engaged in the leather trade in and around Walsall, primarily producing horse saddles, bridles, and reins.

This free museum, housed within a magnificent Victorian factory, commemorates Walsall’s legacy as the UK’s leather capital.

Visitors can engage with Walsall’s craftsmanship through displays of vintage leather goods, including saddles, bags, shoes, gloves, and various leather accessories, supplemented by antique tools.

The museum also features a gallery dedicated to contemporary leather designers, while visitors can observe a volunteer craftsman or craftswoman practicing this age-old craft in the workshop.

In the summer months, the museum organizes numerous activities geared towards children.

2. Walsall Arboretum

This charming main park of the town, inaugurated in 1874, spans over 80 acres and features more than 10,000 species of trees and shrubs, serving as a valued community resource.

Notably, this recently restored green space on the eastern side of Walsall is a remnant of the extensive Cannock Forest, which was a royal hunting ground during the Medieval period.

The £7.9 million renovation in the early 2010s reintroduced long-lost activities, such as boating on Hatherton Lake, featuring pedal boats designed like swans.

The new visitor center includes a café that operates daily, and a splash pad for children is now available during the summer.

3. The New Art Gallery Walsall

The centerpiece of an initiative aimed at revitalizing Walsall’s canal area for the new millennium, the New Art Gallery was finalized in 2000 and was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize that year.

The building’s exterior features terracotta tiles, while the interiors offer warm galleries with Douglas fir utilized for walls and flooring.

The New Art Gallery is designated to showcase the remarkable Garman Ryan Collection, which includes paintings, sketches, prints, and sculptures by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Jacob Epstein, Monet, Camille Corot, Renoir, Turner, and Constable.

Additionally, the museum houses the Epstein Archive, comprising manuscripts, photographs, sketches, and correspondence related to the illustrious sculptor.

The third and fourth floors are allocated for a lively schedule of temporary exhibitions, featuring works by notable artists like Barbara Hepworth, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst, and Jonathan Yeo, who have all exhibited here in the past decade.

4. Aston Manor Road Transport Museum

This extensive collection of vintage buses was previously located at the Witton Tram Depot in Birmingham, before settling in the Walsall suburb of Aldridge in 2013. Dating from 1940, many of these vehicles operated in Birmingham and the West Midlands, including a double-decker Routemaster from London and an early-1960s tour bus imported from Bruges, Belgium.

Recently, an array of other vehicles has been incorporated into the collection, such as a Scammell Mechanical Horse from 1937, a 1936 Guy Wolf ambulance, a horse-drawn butcher’s cart from 1920, a tram from 1906, and a vintage Daimler bank van from 1935. A wealth of transport memorabilia is also on display, and visitors can view the collection on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the year.

5. Fairlawns Spa

Walsall features a highly regarded spa located on Little Aston Road, ideal for a few hours of relaxation.

A day spa ticket at Fairlawns grants access to all health club facilities and exclusive relaxation zones, including lunch and light refreshments.

A diverse range of spa day experiences is available, with a focus on aqua massage treatments.

For specific needs, the extensive list of additional treatments includes a mud chamber, dry flotation, massage, facials (which can be coupled with massage), scrubs and wraps, as well as beauty treatments for the face, brows, and eyelashes.

6. Willenhall Memorial Park

This meticulously landscaped local park, established in 1920 on 54 acres of previously unoccupied mining land, was created to honor those who lost their lives during the First World War.

Interestingly, much of the planting was carried out by unemployed former servicemen returning from the conflict.

Willenhall Memorial Park is a Green Flag awardee, representing the outstanding care it receives and the variety of facilities it offers.

The community pavilion features a café and serves as the starting point for a “health walk” held three times a week. Furthermore, the park includes a children’s playground, a bandstand situated within formal gardens, a bowling green, a fishing pond, tennis courts, and designated picnic areas.

7. Walsall Canal

Over the past two decades, substantial efforts have been made to rejuvenate the town arm of the Walsall Canal.

The wharf surrounding the New Art Gallery was at risk of being entirely lost prior to the regeneration initiative that commenced in the late-1990s.

Since that time, new private moorings have been established on the water, and a retail park has developed on the north side of the canal.

In addition to the Waterfront draft beer bar, visitors can find a cinema and popular dining establishments like Pizza Express and Chiquito nearby.

The Walsall Canal is a section of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, extending for seven miles to Ryders Green Junction, where it connects with the Wednesbury Canal.

While strolling along the towpath, you’ll encounter intriguing sights, such as a circular weir at Lock No. 5, and the Georgian Toll Office and Boaters Mission.

8. Park Lime Pits Local Nature Reserve

Situated deep within the West Midlands conurbation, this local nature reserve provides a tranquil escape.

As suggested by its name, the two pools at Park Lime Pits were once operational limestone quarries.

During the Industrial Revolution, these pits were connected to the canal system, facilitating the transportation of limestone to various iron foundries across the Black Country.

These industrial activities feel distant among the pond-side paths, enveloped by beech forests.

The limestone-rich soil fosters the growth of approximately 300 plant species, including numerous wildflowers in summer. Additionally, 100 bird species have been recorded, including lapwings and yellowhammers within the reserve.

Visiting in the evening provides the opportunity to witness the captivating sight of Daubenton’s bats swooping to capture insects just above the water’s surface.

9. Four Seasons Garden

A private garden situated on a suburban street may not top your itinerary, but if your visit to Walsall coincides with one of the Four Seasons Garden’s open days, it is certainly worth a visit.

These open days usually occur in May and October, allowing you to explore this award-winning quarter-acre garden, which features 350 azaleas and 150 acers, along with an array of topiary, shrubs, bulbs, hellebores, camellias, and begonias.

At the bottom of the gently sloping garden lies a small arboretum, complemented by several water features, a pagoda, and charming bridges.

This stunning garden is the work of a self-taught couple who planted nearly all of its flora themselves.

10. The Locksmith’s House, Willenhall

As of 2018, this small attraction, linked to the Black Country Living Museum, was only accessible during Heritage Open Days in September.

If you find yourself in town during that time, you can explore this quaint Edwardian house museum, which provides insights into Willenhall’s traditional lock-making industry.

The museum features a working-class family home preserved to resemble its appearance 100 years ago, when it served as the residence of the Hodson Family, as well as a two-storey workshop in the backyard.

The forge and most machinery remain operational, allowing visitors to observe demonstrations during their visit.

The museum also features a collection of rare handcrafted locks from various periods and locations.

11. Barr Beacon

Located to the east of Walsall, approximately three miles from the town center, Barr Beacon ranks as one of the highest points in the West Midlands.

Barr Beacon features two summits, one topped with the Victorian Barr Beacon Reservoir and the other adorned with a temple-like memorial dedicated to the First World War, erected in 1919. From this vantage point, clear days offer breathtaking views encompassing 11 English and Welsh counties.

Additionally, notable landmarks can be identified, including the Wrekin hill at 407 meters to the west in Telford, the city center of Birmingham, the spires of Lichfield Cathedral, and Cannock Chase to the north.

12. Bilston Craft Gallery

Situated five miles west of Walsall, the Bilston Craft Gallery stands as the largest museum dedicated to crafts in the West Midlands.

Open Thursday through Saturday, the Bilston Craft Gallery exhibits the most extensive collection of enamels in the UK aside from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Featuring over 100 Bilston enamels produced locally in the 18th century, these items are showcased alongside contemporary works utilizing similar techniques.

This Edwardian residence also boasts a delightful garden adorned with sculptures and intricately carved wooden dragons, while the Craftplay gallery is a creative space for preschool children to unleash their imaginations.

13. Cuckoos’ Nook and the Dingle

This remarkable nature reserve located east of Walsall features a geological fault line, creating two distinct habitats with a history extending over 60 million years.

The newer Cuckoo’s Nook encompasses ancient acidic woodlands supported by coal measures.

The trees within this domain can be as old as 400 years, including alders, birches, hollies, and oaks, complemented by a carpet of bluebells during the spring.

The Dingle, on the other hand, boasts alkaline limestone soil that supports ash, beech, elder, hawthorn, and lime trees.

Meandering through the woods at the Dingle is the Longwood Brook, which offers the chance to discover exposed Silurian limestone beds, which may reveal fossils if you’re fortunate.

14. Walsall FC

Owing to Walsall’s leather-making heritage, it is fitting that the local football team is known as The Saddlers.

As one of the founding members of the Second Division in 1892, Walsall has a long and rich history; however, the team has never reached the upper echelons of English football, with only one appearance at Wembley, which occurred in 2015. As of 2018, Walsall competes in League 1, the third tier, and hosts matches at the 11,300-capacity Bescot Stadium.

Matches rarely sell out, and for those interested in watching The Saddlers in action, tickets can be obtained from the Box Office up to four weeks prior to the fixture.

During half-time, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy one of the stadium’s renowned chicken and mushroom pies.

15. Chasewater Railway

This heritage railway line typically operates during the summer from Wednesday to Sunday and serves as an excellent family-friendly outing.

Managed by an award-winning team of volunteers, Chasewater Railway is positioned on the western bank of Chasewater Reservoir, around eight miles north of central Walsall.

This line previously formed part of a network operated by the National Coal Board to service the coalfields within the Cannock Chase region.

Covering two miles of track, it features four stations, providing a round trip of approximately one hour.

As of 2018, the flagship locomotive is the W. G. Bagnall Dunlop No. 6, a Second World War-era engine originally crafted for the Royal Ordnance Factories.

On this journey, you will travel in a mid-century British Railways Mark 1 coach.

For those visiting on a Sunday, enjoy the added advantage of accessing the museum, filled with a wealth of railway history.