Early Walsall<\/h2>\n
In exactly 1002, documents refer to this town as Walesho. It is thought that this means \u2018the Valley of the Welsh speakers\u2019 and refers to the early Brythons. These were the people who inhabited the \u2018Celtic\u2019 lands. The origins of the word \u2018Celtic\u2019 actually being a word that originated in the deep south of England and referred to everyone in Britain that wasn\u2019t English.<\/p>\n
If you are interested in the origins of the \u2018Celtic\u2019 people then you should read this article<\/a> over on Irish Central. The Celts included the Scots, the Irish, the Welsh, some Spanish tribes, and anyone from the northwestern reaches of Europe.<\/p>\n Other theories about the name of the town come from around the 5th<\/sup> and 6th<\/sup> centuries. At one point, the Anglo-Saxons had a town here. The name might have come from a warlord named Walla, and be his town, as it were. We much prefer this version. Walla wasn\u2019t that unpopular a name\u2026 it could happen.<\/p>\n Come 1086 there is no mention of Walsall in the Domesday Survey. It is thought that this is because a manor, belonging to one William Fitzansculf<\/a>. William was a Norman who was granted lands in the English countryside after the death of his father, who came over with William the conqueror. They had manors in Birmingham, in Dudley, in Selly Oak\u2026 basically all over England.<\/p>\n He was a powerful man. According to Domesday recordings William owned more than a hundred estates so it was highly unlikely that he spent much time at Walsall. He died laying siege to a castle during the First Crusade\u2026 because of all the things he really needed in life, yet another castle was something worth dying for.<\/p>\n Anyway, by the 13th<\/sup> century, Walsall was seeing a weekly market and an annual fair. This meant it was displaying classic signs of becoming an important market town. The fair was so successful that in 1339 a second fair was added. In those days, a fair would last anything up to a fortnight and traders would come from anywhere within two or three days of horse-drawn travel.<\/p>\n It took another full century before the town got a mayor of its own, conclusively proving that people were once capable of handling things without being governed. By the end of the 14th-century\u00a0coal mining was the main industry. Around this time, farming started to take a back seat as the main work in the area. Instead, ironstone was brought out of mines and metalworking was of great importance. By the start of the 1500s, it is thought the population would have been around 1500 or so[i]<\/a>.<\/p>\n The town was still known as Walshale in the 17th<\/sup> century, but for the majority of the 16th,<\/sup> it was a slow-growing town where metalworkers thrived. Pots, pans, tools and in particular, bits for horses and keeping animals were made in Walsall. Halfway through the century, a school was opened in the area. Queen Elizabeth, I visited around that time, leading the school to use the Queen\u2019s official emblem of the rose as their own. Later, Charles I\u2019s wife and Queen Consort Henrietta Maria also spend a night in Walsall in 1643. In those days, the railway hadn\u2019t been invented yet. If it had, the visits from two queens would have seen the population flock to Walsall as it did in other English towns (like Southend<\/a>) but unfortunately this was not the case.<\/p>\n Walsall remained mostly stagnant population-wise up until the Industrial Revolution. It would have had a population of about 2k at the start of the 18th<\/sup> century. Needless to say, it didn\u2019t take long to expand\u2026<\/p>\n We interrupt this historical rendition to bring you some light-hearted humour. Here are the Five Minutes Spare<\/a> favourite fun facts about Walsall\u2026 according to the locals.<\/p>\n See? Walsall isn\u2019t just serious history, it\u2019s fun and games, too. Now let\u2019s get back to the serious stuff\u2026 What was Walsall like in the Industrial Revolution and how did it reach the 70k (ish) numbers that it houses today?<\/p>\n In 1801 the population was a little over 10,000. This was a bit of a jump from the 17th<\/sup> century and we can only attribute this to the metallurgy industry that was growing up from the coal and iron mines. In 1803 a theatre opened, establishing the town as an important place \u2013 at least important enough to require entertainment for the locals.<\/p>\n As the coal, iron, and even leather industries kicked off in the area, so too did the town. Rapid expansion in the following few years was due to the manufacturing of saddles for horses, chains, buckles and plated goods. The limestone quarry was opened and dug out, the one that is now a nature reserve. Where the water is now was once a lime pit, where workers would have chipped out the semi-dangerous silica with pickaxes.<\/p>\n As of 1824\/5 the town received permission to light, clean and pave the streets. A gasworks opened to help them establish gas lamp lighting. 11 alms houses \u2013 workhouses for the poor \u2013 were opened for women and came to be referred to as the Molesey Alms-houses.<\/a> They were contributed by Blanch Wollaston, who left a house for the poor and 10s from the Barr income for poor women in the town. It\u2019s actually very humbling to think that even back then, in the 18th<\/sup> century, women were taking care of one another.<\/p>\n More streets were added until cholera and smallpox broke out in town. After this, somewhere around the middle of the 19th<\/sup> century, sewers were added, and piped water became a thing. Also, people realised they should be washing more often. Particularly washing their hands\u2026 Something we, as a people, need reminded of in 2020.<\/p>\n 1847 saw the arrival of the great railway and, by 1901, the population was 86 thousand people\u2026 a huge leap. By this time a library, hospital, trams, art gallery, museum, and a cemetery had all grown around the busy town. Let\u2019s be clear: at the height of the Industrial Revolution, Walsall was larger in residential numbers than it is right now.<\/p>\n The start of the 20th<\/sup> century saw electric lighting in the streets, the trams electrified, and booming, thriving metalworking industry in the town. Leatherworkers abounded, growing alongside the iron foundries. Craftsmen flocked to the town and the people experienced a sort of cultural revolution as a wave of famous people were born here. Leather clothing became popular, as well as horse saddles\u2026<\/p>\n There were so many industries in Walsall at this point that it earned the nickname of the \u2018town with a hundred trades. This might seem like a bad thing to an inexperienced eye, but it\u2019s not. Economically, no one industry dominated. This is probably why the town didn\u2019t lose as much population as other places did after the Industrial years ended.<\/p>\n At the beginning of the 20th<\/sup> century, Walsall had gained international notoriety as the leatherworking capital of the world. In the 1920s the government rolled out council housing across the country for the first time ever, in a bid to ease up the slums the Revolution of industry had created. After 1945, many more council houses were added. Shopping centres, gardens and museums opened after the war\u2026 but Walsall did not come away completely unscathed.<\/p>\n During WWII Walsall was recognised as a centre of important manufacturing. As such, it was often bombed. One account<\/a> tells us that a bomber hit the gas works at one point, but the bomb did not explode. Luckily, we suppose, the bomb landed on the gasometer, which went up in flames. Many of the wartime homes still have cellars dug out for protection from the bombs.<\/p>\n Although Walsall was bombed during the war, it was nothing compared to what they suffered in nearby Birmingham. With such a large target nearby it seems that most of the heat was drawn away from Walsall. Another account<\/a> of the bombings in Walsall talks about a bomb landing in the Arboretum lake\u2026 rather comically adding that it took 15 years to get the ducks to return after that. If only the war was as easy-going for everyone else\u2026<\/p>\n Since the wars, Walsall has gone from strength to strength. Some of the population have gone on to bigger pastures, but the majority stayed, settled, and had children. Walsall has seen new streets, new governance, and new shops, industries, and residential areas added in the last 70 years or so. However, one thing has remained constant. To this very day, Walsall remains the leatherworking capital of the world\u2026 and that is a title to be proud of.<\/p>\n Given that this town has been around since Anglo-Saxon times, it only seems fair that there should be a few hundred famous Walsall faces. We took a look to source the Five Minutes Spare<\/a> favourite famous faces out of Walsall. Enjoy!<\/p>\n So there are a fair few famous faces that come from this seemingly sleepy little town. Now that we have covered the famous faces, history, and fun facts, it is time to move on to the attractions\u2026 If you were taking a holiday in Walsall, what would be the sights you ought to see?<\/p>\n Image: LLYOU Grzegorz Wasowicz\/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n There are tons of fun things to do in Walsall for an afternoon. Let\u2019s look at the best the town has to offer in terms of attractions\u2026<\/p>\n Top of the list of things that you need to do when you come here (it\u2019s almost obligatory) is to visit the Leather Museum<\/a>. It sounds like it is about as exciting as a library visit but it is one of the top attractions in town. The kids love it, they have a caf\u00e9, and you learn all there is to know about the industry through the Walsall ages.<\/p>\n A second museum that is worth its weight in golden car parts is the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum<\/a>. This place has a lovingly preserved classical car collection that any true petrolhead will love. You will find it in nearby Aldridge.<\/p>\n For art galleries, the New Art Gallery<\/a> is that oddly shaped, pale building in central Walsall. It cost around \u00a321 million to design and build. Art isn\u2019t cheap. Totally worth it though. Have a visit and see for yourself. They are having their 20th<\/sup> anniversary year this year (2020) so there will be plenty of opportunities for fun.<\/p>\n Another favourite attraction in Walsall is the Arboretum park<\/a>. We mentioned this briefly before because it has the most wonderful illuminations at night. Reviewers and locals think that they might be better than the ones you get at Blackpool\u2026 but we will let you decide for yourself.<\/p>\n The Bourne Pool and Waterside Walk<\/a> is a lovely way to spend an hour in nature. Keep the kiddies supervised around the water and pick a sunny day for it. The pond is beautiful and well worth the walk. For another park to relax in, check out the Willenhall Memorial Park<\/a>. It\u2019s always nice to pay your respects. This particular park was built just after WWII and for obvious reasons.<\/p>\n Walsall is the home of Banks\u2019s Stadium<\/a> where you can visit and take a tour. You can even catch a match there most weekends or see the team training. It was built in 1989-90 and is the home to Walsall Football Club<\/a>. Fans can find it on Bescot Crescent but, let\u2019s be honest about this, it\u2019s hard to miss those floodlights.<\/p>\n The Saddlers Shopping Centre<\/a> is named as one of the best in town but you have plenty of options for good shopping. You can also find the Crown Wharf Shopping Park<\/a> to be filled with customers on any given day. You are bound to find what you are looking for between the two places.<\/p>\n The Walsall Arena and Arts Centre<\/a> is becoming a landmark, even if it is a thoroughly modern one. You can also take the trip in to Birmingham<\/a> and visit the house and gardens at Soho House<\/a>. They give guided tours that get top marks.<\/p>\n If you are in the area, and you are interested in learning about where you are staying, pop into the Pelsall History Centre<\/a>. It will help you to understand the culture, the people, and the relaxed attitude you will find in this part of the country.<\/p>\n If you are stopping in Walsall for any length of time and need more inspiration about what to do, here are some of the attractions we just couldn\u2019t fit into one article:<\/p>\n When you visit Walsall there is always something that will suit you.<\/p>\n If regular but yummy pub grub is what you are after, you will find it at the Queen\u2019s Head<\/a>. You will also get a decent pint there, if that\u2019s what you like. If you want somewhere slightly fancier to eat, Chiquito<\/a> offers a semi-Mexican, semi-American menu that\u2019s a nice fusion mix.<\/p>\n Looking for a nice caf\u00e9 to pass an hour in? Simply Delicious<\/a> are a local favourite. If you have a car or transport to hand, head out to West Bromwich and try the Turkish menu at the Turquoise Kitchen and Bar<\/a>. It gets nearly top marks from every single reviewer!<\/p>\n When it comes to having a night out on the town, there are several options. The best cocktails can be had at the Dream Blue Shisha Lounge<\/a>\u2026 Bar NV<\/a> is the best pub to pass time in style\u2026 it\u2019s the only champagne bar in the town. If you want to dance the night away though, you need a club.<\/p>\n There\u2019s Coliseum<\/a> but that\u2019s the wrong type of club\u2026 also the spelling makes us flinch a little. The Suede Bar and Night Club<\/a> is much more tasteful, but you can also have a good, old-fashioned drink-n-dance at Religion<\/a>, where there is always a DJ waiting.<\/p>\n As you can see, Walsall has an active nightlife scene. Get out there, have some fun, and double-check it\u2019s not a lap dancing club before you go. Unless that\u2019s your thing. No judgement here, let\u2019s just move on.<\/p>\n We can talk history, attractions, and where to eat in Walsall all day long\u2026 but if you don\u2019t know how to get there, there\u2019s really no point.<\/p>\n Walsall is on the M5 if you are coming from the South. If you are coming from the west then head out of Shrewsbury on the M54<\/a>. Coming from the north? You need the M6\u2026 You can head north on the M1 out of London, too, and then head East when you see signs for Coventry.<\/p>\n Head for Walsall Railway Station.<\/a> If travelling from London and you don\u2019t pass through it, head to Birmingham. You will be able to get a train from there.<\/p>\n Again, if you are flying to Walsall then your nearest airport is actually in Birmingham<\/a>. Don\u2019t worry, you can get the train for the last leg.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, you won\u2019t find any sea connections in Walsall. There are Sea Cadets<\/a>, though.<\/p>\n If you still have a spare five minutes on your hands then head on over to our HQ. Here at Five Minutes Spare<\/a> we have a local guide for almost any attention. Why not see what we have to say about your hometown? It\u2019s probably a lot more interesting than you think\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [i]<\/a> http:\/\/www.localhistories.org\/walsall.html<\/p>\n [ii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.delvesinfantschool.co.uk\/facts-about-walsall\/<\/p>\nThe Doomsday Book<\/h3>\n
Walsall gets its Mayor<\/h3>\n
Fun Facts about Walsall<\/h2>\n
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The Industrial Revolution Reaches Walsall<\/h2>\n
Modern Times… Or at least the last Century<\/h2>\n
WW2 Walsall<\/h3>\n
Famous people that Come from Walsall<\/h2>\n
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Attractions in Walsall<\/h2>\n
![\"Walsall](\"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2020\/03\/shutterstock_1833658453-300x152.jpg\")
Museums and Art Galleries<\/h3>\n
Outdoor and Recreation<\/h3>\n
Sports!<\/h3>\n
Retail<\/h3>\n
Historic Sights and Landmarks<\/h3>\n
Other Notable attractions<\/h2>\n
\n
Where to Eat, Drink, and Party in Walsall?<\/h2>\n
How to Get there?<\/h2>\n
By Road<\/h3>\n
By Rail<\/h3>\n
By Air<\/h3>\n
By Sea<\/h3>\n
Got Five Minutes?<\/h2>\n
![M54<\/a>. Coming from the north? You need the M6\u2026 You can head north on the M1 out of London, too, and then head East when you see signs for Coventry.<\/p>\nBy Rail<\/h3>\nHead for Walsall Railway Station.<\/a> If travelling from London and you don\u2019t pass through it, head to Birmingham. You will be able to get a train from there.<\/p>\nBy Air<\/h3>\nAgain, if you are flying to Walsall then your nearest airport is actually in Birmingham<\/a>. Don\u2019t worry, you can get the train for the last leg.<\/p>\nBy Sea<\/h3>\nUnfortunately, you won\u2019t find any sea connections in Walsall. There are Sea Cadets<\/a>, though.<\/p>\nGot Five Minutes?<\/h2>\nIf you still have a spare five minutes on your hands then head on over to our HQ. Here at Five Minutes Spare<\/a> we have a local guide for almost any attention. Why not see what we have to say about your hometown? It\u2019s probably a lot more interesting than you think\u2026<\/p>\n <\/p>\n[i]<\/a> http:\/\/www.localhistories.org\/walsall.html<\/p>\n[ii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.delvesinfantschool.co.uk\/facts-about-walsall\/<\/p>\n[iii]<\/a> https:\/\/www.ranker.com\/list\/famous-people-from-walsall\/reference<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A Five Minute Walk Round Walsall Somewhere in Staffordshire lies Walsall, former Manor Estate and now a jewel in the West Midlands crown. Although the settlement of this area dates away, way back to the earliest days of British inhabitancy, Walsall still hasn\u2019t made city status yet. We had to find out why, after more…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":182971,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[444,66,75],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-staffordshire","category-uk","category-west-midlands"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27989"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":182972,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27989\/revisions\/182972"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182971"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}](\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/images\/search?view=detailV2&ccid=4R39haqx&id=A73EEB08BA6A82B6497B5DC7BDC7DE979D7CDEF1&thid=OIP.4R39haqx0kkDqUNduUL-IwHaEl&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fw0.fast-meteo.com%2flocationmaps%2fWalsall.10.gif&exph=371&expw=600&q=walsall+map&simid=608009150704389795&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0\"){kind=link}