Our Manifesto
We are an independent Museum, we rescue and conserve historic buildings, we teach traditional trades and crafts to ensure their preservation and we share the untold stories of rural life and those who lived in the South East of England.
A Leading Museum of Historic Buildings
Founded in 1970, the award-winning Weald & Downland Living Museum is a leading museum of historic buildings in England, covering 40 acres in the South Downs National Park in West Sussex.
It includes over 50 historic buildings dating from 950AD to the 19th century, re-erected from their original sites in south east England, together with period gardens, traditional farm animals and a mill pond.
The exhibit buildings range from a reconstruction of a Saxon hall house to working buildings of the late 19th century. They are complemented by a collection, located in the Downland Gridshell Building, of building fixtures and fittings such as hinges, latches and doors, as well as larger structural elements and materials used in building construction and conservation.
The Museum also holds excellent collections relating to rural life, including agriculture, domestic life, trades and industries, and transport. A library of printed books, maps and other published materials relevant to the collections is held by the Museum for study purposes. The collections are ‘Designated’ as being of national importance in England, and the Museum has full “Accreditation”.
As well as bringing to life the homes, farmsteads and rural industries represented by its collections and exhibits, other themes are strongly represented at the Museum, including landscape, agriculture, animal husbandry, science and sustainability. Interpretation is achieved mainly through people, together with modest panel displays and publications. There are no plans to introduce electronic gadgets.
The Museum has an extremely strong commitment to lifelong learning. In addition to 20–25,000 children visiting in school parties every year, the Museum operates as a private sector training provider, selling over 3,600 student-days of adult teaching and training every year, with a broad spectrum of provision from workshop-based skills training to two graduate courses run in association with University of York.
Our Vision
Inspiring everyone who comes into contact with us to shape a better future.
Our Mission
Through conserving, curating and connecting people to the unique landscape and heritage of the Weald and Downland, we will pass on skills and learning from the past, offer a space for peace and wellbeing and deliver an outstanding, inclusive experience for everyone who visits.
Our Values
Welcoming
- People can be their authentic selves here – we value the diversity of drivers that bring people to WDLM and the diverse backgrounds of every individual.
Community
- There’s a strong sense of connection here rooted in a highly collaborative and partnership approach to everything we do.
Passionate
- There is huge emotional equity in what we stand for and do – everyone cares and shares responsibility for the museum and landscape.
Curious
- We actively encourage exploration and discovery through hands on, tactile involvement.
Expertise
- We are rigorous, relatable and respected in our approach to conservation, preservation, learning and skills development and visitor experience.
Registered Charity No. 306338
The Weald & Downland Living Museum is a charity and an independent Museum, which means we are entirely self-funded and independent of core government funding. Funds are required to conserve the historic buildings and artefacts on site, and these come from visitors, members and supporters.
You can find more information on the Charity Commission website
