Walsall is a Town in the county of West Midlands.
Walsall is a large industrial town in the West Midlands, England, located between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. Historically part of Staffordshire, it grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution, becoming a centre for leatherworking, metalworking, and manufacturing. The town remains well known for its leather industry, and Walsall-made saddles, gloves, and bags are still recognised worldwide.
The town centre features a mix of modern developments and historic buildings, with the Saddlers Shopping Centre providing retail and leisure facilities. Walsall Arboretum, a large public park with lakes, gardens, and walking trails, offers a green space for residents and visitors. The New Art Gallery Walsall, which opened in 2000, is a cultural landmark showcasing contemporary and historic works, including the Garman Ryan Collection.
Walsall has strong transport links, with major roads such as the M6 providing access to Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. The town’s railway station offers connections to Birmingham and Rugeley, while local bus services connect surrounding areas.
The town has a mix of residential areas, ranging from Victorian terraces to newer housing developments. It has a diverse population and a strong sense of local identity, shaped by its industrial heritage and community life. While traditional industries have declined, Walsall continues to evolve, with retail, education, and logistics playing a key role in its economy.
Walsall postcode: WS1 1
There are great places to visit near Walsall including some great towns, shopping centres, castles, cities, canals, country parks, woodlands, parks, historic buildings, villages, museums, gardens, nature reserves, lakes and airports.
The area around Walsall boasts some of the best towns including Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Moseley, Handsworth, Harborne, and Sutton Coldfield.
There are a number of shopping centres near Walsall including Merry Hill, and Bullring & Grand Central.
The area around Walsall boasts some of the best castles including Dudley Castle, and Caluden Castle (ruin).
Don't miss Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton's cities if visiting the area around Walsall.
Birmingham to Wolverhampton Canal is a great place to visit close to Walsall if you like canals.
Country Parks to visit near Walsall include Lickey Hills Country Park, Woodgate Valley Country Park, Sutton Park, Kingsbury Water Park, Sandwell Valley Country Park, Coombe Country Park, and Coombe Abbey Country Park.
Lickey Hills Country Park, and Walsall Arboretum are some of Walsall best woodlands to visit near Walsall.
The area around Walsall features a number of interesting parks including Cannon Hill Park, Grove Park, Caludon Castle Park, Baddesley Clinton, Elmdon Park, and Walsall Arboretum.
Historic Buildings to visit near Walsall include Victoria Square - Birmingham, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Selly Manor Museum, Baddesley Clinton, St Alphege Parish Church, and Packwood House.
The area around Walsall boasts some of the best villages including Bournville, and Lea Marston.
Selly Manor Museum, and Cadbury World are great places to visit near Walsall if you like museums.
The area close to Walsall boasts some of the best gardens including The Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Walsall has some unmissable nature reserves nearby like Moseley Bog, RSPB Sandwell Valley, and Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve.
Walsall's best nearby lakes can be found at Pendigo Lake, Cocks Close Pond, Kingsbury Water Park, and Earlswood Lakes.
Airports to visit near Walsall include Birmingham Airport.
Walsall History
There are some historic monuments around Walsall:
Areas of Walsall
Like most towns and cities Walsall is comprised of a number of areas, once separate villages or small towns and parishes now part of Walsall.
Many of the areas of Walsall have their own character and places of interest.
Places to see near Walsall
History of Walsall
The name Walsall is thought to have derived from the words “Walh halh”, meaning “valley of the Welsh speakers” (referring to the Brythons). Walsall is first referenced as ‘Walesho’ in a document dated 1002. Possibly as a result of a clerical error, it is not referred to in the Domesday Book, while the settlements of Aldridge, Bescot, Shelfield, Pelsall, Bloxwich, Great Barr and Rushall within the Metropolitan Borough are. However, it is believed that a manor was held here by William FitzAnsculf, who held numerous manors in the Midlands. By the first part of the 13th century, Walsall was a small market town, with the weekly market being introduced in 1220 and held on Tuesdays. The mayor of Walsall was created as a political position in the 14th century.
