Welcome to the Weald & Downland Living Museum

– Simon Wardell, Museum Director –

Come and discover rescued rural homes and buildings set in a beautiful landscape in the South Downs National Park. Our collection tells the stories of the people who lived and worked in rural South East England over 1,000 years.

Enjoy our family-friendly and dog-friendly 40-acre site and visit our collection of historic buildings – we have more than 50 to explore from a replica Anglo-Saxon hall house to an Edwardian tin church.

We hold a regular programme of demonstrations, including milling in our 17th century working watermill; cooking in our Tudor kitchen; plus seasonal demonstrations. Take a walk in the woods, bring the dog, visit our waterside café (it is dog-friendly) or enjoy your own picnic.

Take a look at our what’s on calendar for upcoming events, shows, demonstrations, theatre productions and more.

Interested in historic trades and crafts? We also run a broad range of courses in traditional rural trades and crafts and in historic building conservation, plus two MSc programmes. We welcome school groups and have a fun and fascinating choice of workshops.

Updates:

• We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded Sussex Life’s ‘Visitor Attraction of the Year’ – click here to read more.
• Visit our ‘People’s Show‘ exhibition – NOW OPEN and on display until 11 May 2020. Make your way to the gallery space in the Michael Burton Gallery within Longport Farmhouse.
• Building closures: Titchfield Market Hall and the Carpenter’s Workshop. We apologise for any inconvenience.
• Filming on site: This Easter, the Museum will play host to a feature film working in and around Market Square. The Museum will be open as usual with lots of activities to see and do, especially for the Easter holidays. However, some buildings will be closed to visitors in order to accommodate the film.
  Between 16 March – 17 April buildings in Market Square and the surrounding areas will be closed. The Museum will remain open throughout this period. There will be film marshals on hand to help direct you during your visit and ensure that you make the most of the wide range of activities that will still be on offer across the Museum.

The Repair Shop:

NEED TO CONTACT THE REPAIR SHOP?  For all Repair Shop enquiries, please do not contact the Museum (we are simply the venue) – instead, please contact Ricochet directly.

Please note that the conservators featured in the series come from across the UK and are not resident at the Museum – the Museum is unable to offer conservation advice for the repair of items and unable to accept post or take delivery of items for repair. If you are interested in applying to be on the series please apply via the website https://www.ricochet.co.uk/casting/the-repair-shop.

For all other queries  please contact 01273 224 800 or email [email protected] and liaise directly with Ricochet BEFORE sending your items in the post, to avoid loss or damage.

Recent reviews:

“Excellent place to visit and relax. So much to see and enjoy. Around 50 historic buildings to walk around. Fascinating.” Charlie Fraser-Fleming, Facebook Review, Feb 2020

“Vivid memories of my school outing about 30 years ago. We were fascinated by how people lived all those years ago – especially remember the large building with the huge fire and best of all for us kids was the loo hanging out of the side of the window!” Instagram comment by south_scenes, Feb 2020

Winter Visit – “This is a fantastic place and has a wealth of homes and facilities from many years. On site demonstrations are worth watching as they take you back in time with both an excellent commentary and display of older techniques. Also visited the gridshell exhibit, this has to be seen to be believed. Following the guides talk you are given access to the artefacts store, where items not on display are stored, truly amazing”.  Andy, Tripadvisor, Feb 2020

A fantastic Day Out – “We had a wonderful day, even in January. There was so much to do and see and it was very interesting. The staff are so friendly and knowledgeable. It is their 50th anniversary this year and I would recommend everyone supports the venture to continue to save these lovely buildings and crafts. The Repair Shop was filming the day we were there too. Good, reasonably priced lunch with great views from the restaurant – what more could you want?” Margaret, Tripadvisor, January 2020