[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This year marks 50 years since Weald & Downland Living Museum first opened its doors and it is celebrating with an exciting series of events, and we have an exclusive competition to win a free annual pass!

Home to over 50 historic buildings

The Weald & Downland Living Museum opened on 5 September 1970 and was founded by Dr J.R Armstrong MBE. The aim of the Museum is to preserve historical buildings and increase the awareness of traditional crafts, trades and industries. Set in the peaceful surroundings of the South Downs National Park in Chichester, the Museum is home to over 50 historic buildings, from as early as 950AD. Originally from all over South East England – Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire – each building has been carefully dismantled, conserved and rebuilt. Across the 40-acre site, the Museum shows extraordinary examples of early architecture, materials used in construction and tells the stories of those who lived and worked in rural South East England over 1,000 years ago.

Tin church

Amongst the award-winning collection of historic homes, shops and public buildings are a medieval farmstead, market hall, Victorian school, smithy and even a tin church.
In 2019, the Museum added a working bakehouse to its collection. With origins in the 17th century, the bakehouse was carefully restored back to working order allowing Museum visitors to learn more about traditional baking methods and heritage food production. Demonstrations on the art of baking regularly take place using flour ground by the Museum’s on-site watermill. Other domestic demonstrations include dairying, spinning, using herbs to make medicines and preparing natural dyes for wool and linen. There is also a programme of rural craft demonstrations, such as blacksmithing, milling, pole-lathe turning and scything.

In the Tudor kitchen, visitors can take a step back in time to discover the types of food that would have been eaten by rural communities in the 1540s, which includes handmade butter and cheese, griddle bread cooked over an open fire and traditional meals using only the seasonal ingredients available during those times.

Schools and learning resource

In addition to the fascinating buildings and demonstrations, the Museum has a range of collections representing country crafts and industries, building trades and agriculture. Objects from these collections can be seen displayed within the buildings on site, and in the Downland Gridshell.

As well as being an inspiring and educational visitor attraction, the Museum is well known for its established schools programme and award-winning adult learning programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts. The Museum also hosts many Historic Life Weekends and activity days that offer families an informative and captivating day out in the great outdoors.
50th anniversary celebrations, evening picnic, demos and speakers.

Special anniversary events

To mark the 50th anniversary year, there are various events planned to include a special celebration on 5th September, when the Museum officially opened to the public 50 years ago. There will be a celebratory 1970s inspired birthday picnic, which will be an exclusive ticketed, evening event. Guests will be provided a special Weald & Downland hamper and will be encouraged to dress up in costume from that era.

Over the weekend (5-6 September), there will be a series of demonstrations and displays in a special Historic Life Weekend to coincide with the anniversary, showcasing all that is great about the Museum and the traditional crafts, skills and architecture it works so hard to preserve. A number of expert speakers will also be on site to talk about the development of the Museum.

Throughout September there will be more celebrations, including a virtual exhibition that gives an interesting overview of the Museum and how it has changed over the past five decades. There will also be themed demonstrations and activities planned for each month until December. To find out more, you can visit the Weald & Downland’s website.

Gardens, trails, sculptures and animals

Providing an interactive insight into our rural history, the Museum offers a wonderful day out for visitors of all ages. From exploring the historic buildings as well as the six historic gardens to seeing traditional agricultural work, management of the woodland and historic life demonstrations. What’s more, there are self-led trails to discover, including the woodland sculpture trail, where visitors can enjoy the idyllic countryside setting of the Museum. Farm animals such as working horses can also be found grazing in paddocks and carrying out traditional seasonal farming activities.
Alternatively, visitors are welcome to simply soak up the tranquil atmosphere and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Pack your walking boots and head out for a scenic stroll with your dog or relax by the millpond and enjoy feeding the ducks before tucking into a picnic. However you choose to spend your time, the Weald & Downland Living Museum offers a welcome escape from our fast-paced lives, with plenty of opportunity to find some peace and put the world on pause.

Volunteers

The Museum wouldn’t be what it is today without the time, dedication and passion of its volunteers. The lifeblood of the Museum, there are lots of ways volunteers help, from stewarding, maintenance and admin to gardening, cooking, milling and other crafts. The Museum welcomes volunteers with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and in return offers a fulfilling and rewarding experience with plenty of opportunity to meet people, connect with the community and learn new skills. If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer visit www.wealddown.co.uk.

Covid 19 arrangements

Please be aware that due to Covid-19 and following government guidelines, measures have been put in place to keep our visitors, volunteers and staff safe. This includes only allowing one family into the historic buildings at any one time. Also, the café is operating on a takeaway only basis with outdoor seating. The Museum continues to monitor government guidance during this time and will adapt arrangements to adhere to any new requirements, therefore please keep an eye on the website and social media channels for any further updates.

To ensure social distancing restrictions can be maintained, only limited numbers are allowed on site each day so booking in advance is essential. All activities and demonstrations have been designed to ensure social distancing and government safety measures are adhered to at all times. Please visit www.wealddown.co.uk to book and find further details.
Weald & Downland Living Museum, Town Lane, Singleton, Chichester, PO18 0EU

Win a free Annual Pass

WIN! Weald & Downland Museum Annual pass
Pass provides; free standard daytime admission to the Museum for 12 months. 10% discount on purchases made in the shop and café, two Museum magazines each year. The winner can choose Family/Senior/Other types of annual pass. Winner will be drawn after 30th September 2020.

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