A SPRING TREAT FOR MUM AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY

Enjoy a Visit to The Weald & Downland Museum’s ‘Open House’
On Mothering Sunday 14 March 2010

Mothers, grandmothers and their families are all invited to enjoy the wonderful exhibits and beautiful downland scenery at England’s leading museum of historic buildings on Mothering Sunday, 14 March. The Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex, has a long tradition of presenting mothers and grandmothers with a complimentary bunch of daffodils on their special day, and in recent years has also introduced a special discounted entry price which represents a substantial saving on the usual ticket price.

For just £2, visitors can enjoy the ‘Open House’ at the Museum, which is set in the heart of the new South Downs National Park. They can explore over 45 original historic buildings that have been rescued from destruction and carefully reconstructed on the 50-acre site, representing the homes, farms and workplaces of the south east over the last 500 years. Several of the houses are complete with carefully researched period gardens, and the site also includes fields, woodland walks and a lakeside café.

Visitors will discover the latest developments at the nationally-acclaimed Museum and will be able to find details of the varied events programme planned for 2010, which is the Museum’s 40th Anniversary Year. A Ruby theme will run throughout the year, with many events and activities planned. The highlight of the celebrations will be a special weekend over the 4 and 5 September, which will be a fun and activity-packed two days with something for all the family. Other events during the year range from children’s holiday activities, to music and dance, traditional countryside shows, seasonal celebrations, and an exciting summer steam festival.

Mothering Sunday is a wonderful time for a visit, with spring in the air, buds bursting and newborn lambs. As well as the historic buildings, visitors will enjoy seeing the traditional breed farm animals, Shire horses and working cattle, and will also be able to visit the authentic Tudor kitchen, the working 17th century watermill, and feed the hungry ducks on the millpond!

Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer at the Museum commented: “Our Open House is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy the Museum and the South Downs in springtime. First time visitors, and those more familiar with the Museum, will find much to discover, including details of all our 2010 events in this our Ruby Anniversary Year.”

The Museum is open on Mothering Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm. It is open on Wednesdays and weekends until 28 February, plus daily for Half Term 15 – 19 February. From 1 March it is open daily. Opening hours are 10.30am to 6pm during British Summer Time, and 10.30 to 4pm during the rest of the year. Admission prices for 2010 are adults £9, over 60s £8.15, children £4.80, family £24.75, under 5’s free.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing wholemeal stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens, farm livestock and a working Tudor kitchen. The Museum runs a well-established programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts.  There is a café which uses the Museum’s own flour and a shop with gifts and books on countryside and buildings themes.  The modern Downland Gridshell houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection. There is a daily tour at 1.30pm when the Museum is open, and an appointments system for visits to the collections for research purposes.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Reporters and photographers are welcome at the Museum. For further information call the Museum information line on 01243 811348 or contact Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer

Tel: 01243 811014.
Fax: 01243 811475
Email: marketing@wealddown.co.uk.

Full details about the Museum and its activities can be found at www.wealddown.co.uk 

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