Locksmith's House

The Locksmith's House is a residence with backyard workshops in Willenhall that documents lock manufacturing from an earlier era. Original tools, machinery, and household items show how the craft was practiced within a family setting.

The building was constructed in 1840 and housed the Hodson family, who started their lock-making firm Richard Hodson & Sons in 1792. The workshops document generations of craft tradition established in this area.

The house reveals how lock-making families balanced their trade with daily home life under one roof. The rooms show the connection between a family's living space and their working craft.

The house is accessible through special events organized by the Black Country Living Museum. Visitors should check ahead to find when the museum is open, as access is not continuous.

The front room functioned as a drapers' shop until 1971, and its remaining stock is now preserved at Walsall Museum. This unusual detail reveals the building served multiple purposes over time.

GPS coordinates: 52.58337,-2.05909

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:31