There are different demonstrations on most days in the medieval, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian and Victorian houses which have been furnished.  In several of our houses you may find someone working: spinning or weaving; demonstrating the preparation of natural dyes for wool and linen;  using herbs to make medicines and cosmetics; enjoying games and music of the past.  Several of our houses are now furnished and contain replica artefacts to help describe the lives of the people who once lived in them.  There are also many days on which we have traditional rural crafts being demonstrated, both inside and outside the buildings.  We often have a blacksmith at work in the Victorian forge, using the old methods with no electricity or power tools, and making items for use here at the Museum such as nails, door latches and cart hitches.  You will see the miller operating our water mill to grind corn to make our stoneground flour; you might see the pole lathe turner at work, or someone scything the grassy areas and period gardens.  There are occasional demonstrations of leadworking, stonemasonry, lime slaking, thatching or wattle-and-daubing, promoting the traditional building skills that were used when our houses and agricultural buildings were first built. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that a particular demonstration will be available for your visit.