The Museum's main exhibits are more than 50 historic buildings from south east England. Most were demolished to make way for development and others, having reached the end of their useful life, fell into disrepair and were offered to the Museum.  They have been rescued and rebuilt, illustrating the development of building technology and style and with the knowledge gained through the process of dismantling, conservation and reconstruction the Museum has been recognised as a leader in the study and practise of building conservation.

Explore the buildings using the chronological list below or through the menus which group houses, farm buildings, industrial buildings and public buildings.  For each building you will find general information and several have related articles giving further background to the building, its history and sometimes, its occupants.

For a complete contrast visit the multi award winning Downland Gridshell, home to the Jerwood conservation workshop and extensive supporting collections of domestic, agricultural and rural artefacts. 

Historic Buildings 

 guidebook building location map 650 pixels wide - Copy

  19 Medieval Cottage Hangleton Sussex c13
  18 Hall Boarhunt Hampshire c14
  25 Medieval Shops     
Horsham Sussex c15
  12 'Bayleaf' Wealden House       
Chiddingstone Kent c15
  43 Medieval House Sole Street Kent c15
   1 Longport Farmhouse Newington Kent c15-c19
   4 House Walderton Sussex c15-c17
   27 Medieval House North Cray Kent c15
  26 Upper Hall Crawley Sussex c16
  13 Barn Cowfold Sussex c16
  14 Winkhurst Tudor Kitchen        
Sundridge Kent c16
  24 Market Hall Titchfield Hampshire c17
  7 Poplar Cottage Washington Sussex c17
  17 Pendean Farmhouse Midhurst Sussex c17
  32 Building/House Lavant Sussex c17
  28 House Extension Reigate Surrey c17
  39 Court Barn Lee-on-Solent Hampshire c17-c18
  41 Watermill Lurgashall Sussex c17-c19
  34 Brick Drying Shed Petersfield Hampshire c18
  36 Wagon Shed Wiston Sussex c18
  40 Stable Watersfield Sussex c18
   2 Barn Hambrook Sussex c18
  10 Granary Littlehampton Sussex c18
   9 Open Shed Charlwood Surrey c18
  11 Cattle Shed Lurgashall Sussex c18-c19
   6 School West Wittering Sussex c19
   5 Whittaker's Cottages Ashtead Surrey c19
   3 Toll Cottage Beeding Sussex c19
  15 Cattle Shed Kirdford Sussex c19
  16 Cattle Shed Goodwood Sussex c19
  29 Plumbers Workshop Newick Sussex c19
  30 Joinery Shop Witley Surrey c19
  31 Carpenters Shop Windlesham Surrey c19
  33 Pugmill House Redford Sussex c19
  35 Sawpit Shed Sheffield Park Sussex c19
  42 Windpump Pevensey Sussex c19
  37 Smithy Southwater Sussex c19
Timber Crane Alton Hampshire 1900
Shelter Shed Coldwaltham Sussex c19
   8 Horse Whim West Kingsdown Kent c19
Chaffcutter East Grinstead Sussex c20
  38 Animal Pound Walton Heath Surrey c20
  20 Charcoal Burners Camp

Modern Buildings

Downland Gridshell Built on site               
This building comprises the Museum's conservation workshop known as the Jerwood Gridshell Space and the basement where the artefact collections are stored. 2002
Vehicle and Implement Gallery Built on site This simple pole and roof construction is used to display some of the Museum's collection of wheeled vehicles and agricultural machinery. 2007
Building Crafts Gallery Built on site Containing displays of building crafts this building provides a resource for visiting school parties. 2010