The Best Historical Outings in Walsall
Enjoy a great day in Walsall the next time you’re out and about; drop by some of our favourite places in town to learn a piece of history.
When you’re out and about in Walsall, there are some stunning historical locations to visit. Calm and tranquil, these places are for everyone to appreciate the historical journey of Walsall.
As a well-established market town, Walsall has developed a huge popularity from its industrial heritage. This makes it the perfect place for anyone to explore whilst on a leisurely walk with elderly relatives or guests.
Walsall Leather Museum
If you’re looking for a piece of history, the Walsall Leather Museum is the perfect place for you. This is a welcoming and friendly attraction housed in a restored Victorian Factory building. This museum is a great place for those wanting to discover the story of Walsall’s famous leatherworking trade with interactive demonstrations and guided tours.
Open from Tuesdays to Saturdays, this museum is for anyone. Just pop down and head on in to start your journey through Walsall’s heritage. This is a completely accessible building with lifts, stairs, toilets, a picnic area and even audio visuals so we really mean it when we say this museum is for everyone. Assistance dogs are also welcome and some of the staff even have BSL training for those who require this.
If this wasn’t enough, there is a lovely gift shop for everything novelty as well as a coffee shop for any refreshments you should ever want. This is a great way to spend your day finding out about the wonders of Walsall, come and find the Walsall Leather Museum on Littleton Street West, nearby to the Arboretum.
Aldridge Transport Museum
Another great historical place to visit is the Aldridge Transport Museum. Home to the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum’s collection of vehicles, this day out is jam packed with historical vehicles from years gone by.
This is a great place to take any elderly loved ones who enjoy the culture of vintage vehicles. This museum displays the legacy of road transport in the West Midlands and there is just much to enjoy! Don’t worry about travelling too far either, this is just located on Shenstone Drive Northgate, just outside of Aldridge.
So, if you’re looking for a nice day out with an elderly loved one, pop down to this museum every Tuesday, Saturday or Sunday for a glimpse of the past. No need to book and there is even a Free Park & Ride service on the Event days alongside onsite parking on non-event days.
The New Art Gallery Walsall
If you’re an art lover, this Gallery is home to the distinguished Garman Ryan Collection, displayed on two floors and consists of 365 works of art including Sir Jacob Epstein, Van Gough and Monet.
Floors 1 and 2 present works from our extensive art collections. The Galleries were specifically designed to house The Garman Ryan Collection, gifted to the people of Walsall by Lady Kathleen Garman, widow of Sir Jacob Epstein, and her friend, Sally Ryan. Then, floors 3 and 4 focus on the contemporary visual arts. Presenting both solo and group shows and reflecting the diversity of current practice, the programme seeks to support the development of living artists and to engage and challenge visitors.
This building of artistry is situated in the heart of Walsall Town Centre, at the top of Park Street, making it super easy to walk to from train and bus stations. Why not make a day out of it and visit the local shops and restaurants located close by the gallery. Pop for a spot of lunch in the Brewers Fayre or a coffee in Starbucks afterwards to finish your day off!
Wall Roman Site
If you fancy a walk around some history, have a day at the Wall Roman Site. Wall in Staffordshire was an important staging post on Watling Street, the Roman military road to North Wales. The road network was crucial to the Romans’ control over their empire. At staging posts like Wall weary Roman officials, soldiers and imperial messengers could find lodging for the night and change their horses.
At Wall today you can still see the remains of an inn for travellers and the public baths, with its sequence of cold, warm and hot rooms. The museum provides a fascinating insight into life here and displays many excavated finds.
Wall sits on Watling Street, an ancient trackway paved and extended by the Romans, which connects Wall Roman Site to Wroxeter Roman City. The visitor centre at Wroxeter serves a range of refreshments, offers accessible toilets, and the site is also a great spot for a picnic!
Whether you would like a simple walk around Walsall or want to delve straight into the historical make up of the town, go and visit these sites with your loved ones for the day. Walsall has some beautiful sites to see and whatever your tastes, there will be one that suits you. If you’d like to know more about the benefits of senior home care in Walsall and Great Barr, give our team a call today!