Easter Holiday Activities

Waking Up the Wild

Celebrate the arrival of spring as the Museum bursts back into life this Easter Holidays. Flowers bloom, lambs skip in the fields, ducklings hatch, and the whole site awakens after winter’s rest.

Join us from Saturday 28 March to Sunday 12 April for two weeks of family-friendly Easter holiday activities inspired by nature, folklore, and rural traditions.

 

The Flower Code Quest – Museum trail available everyday

Did you know that in Victorian times, flowers were used to send secret messages?

Become a springtime detective and search the Museum for seven hidden flowers. Each one reveals part of a secret message. Decode the message on your trail sheet and share it with the shop team to receive a flower sticker reward. Perfect for curious explorers of all ages.

 

Toys and Games at Hambrook barn – available everyday

Have fun with a range of traditional toys and games in our Hambrook Barn play area. Along with a special Egg and Spoon race! Something fun for the whole family to enjoy together.

 

 

Easter Holiday Activities (Tuesday–Thursday Each Week)

Spring Mummer’s Play
10am-4pm

Join Adrian Warrell, The History Man and step into the weird and wonderful world of a traditional Mummer’s play. Mummers were masked performers who brought drama, mischief and laughter to their communities. Now it’s your turn to help keep this lively folk tradition alive! Can the Queen of May be released from the clutches of the worm ‘dragon’ of Winter so that Spring can begin?. Explore masks and props, discover the characters and budding young actors can even rehearse and perform their own comic scenes to delight and entertain their families.

Go Wild! – Make & Take Activities
11am- 4pm

Drop in to the Activity Room to create some wild works of art.
– Inspired by the Mummer’s Play, decorate your own quirky mask to wear around the museum.
– Have a go at carding wool and use it to decorate your own woolly South Down Sheep Easter card.
– Craft a spring themed scrapbook to remind you of your wild adventure at the museum.

 

Spring in the Victorian School 
10.30am – 4pm (Not available on Thu 2nd)

Drop in for a lesson in the Victorian School house and make a wonderful Easter themed origami creation. Delivered by our frightfully strict Victorian school teacher so be on your best behaviour!

 

I Spy Spring in the Collections Store
1.00pm-4pm

Don’t miss the special opportunity to explore behind the usually hidden scenes in our Collection Store. Can you find and tick of all the objects on your spotter sheet? All artefacts are related to spring cleaning or rural springtime tasks that famers would have had to do at this time of year. Get a sticker reward for finding them all.

 

Additional special one day Easter Holiday activities and encounters:

Here Comes the Sun!
Tuesday, 31 March & Wednesday 1, Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April.
11am-4pm

Join Julia White, a Sussex based artist to make your own beautiful works of art using natural materials and print them using sunshine!
Sun prints (or cyanotypes) are camera-less photographs created by placing objects onto light sensitive paper which when exposed to UV sunlight creates a permanent art print.

 

Meet the Green Man and his Flower Queen
Thursday, 2 & Thursday 9 April
10am – 4pm

Have a magical encounter and pose for a photo with the Green Man and his Flower Queen. Make an eco-flowerpot and plant a sunflower seed to grow at home.

 

Story Telling with The Bard Dawn
Tuesday and Thursday 31 March, 2 April & 7 April, 9 April
11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30

Join Dawn Nelson for stories of tree magic. Discover the green woman, dancing trees and apple tree men of traditional storytelling.

 

Hands-on have a go activities

• Mini Millers (Mon 30 March, Wed 1, Mon 6 & Thu 9 April) – Have a go at being a Miller and bag up your own bag of flower to take home.
• Butter Patting in the Dairy (Tue 7 April) – Have a go at patting your own butter)
• Be a sawyer (Wed 1 & Wed 8 April) – Have a go at making wood savings in the Carpenters Shop.

 

Plan Your Visit this Easter Holidays

To help you have a great day out, our family fun activities are included with standard admission to the Museum unless otherwise stated. Pre-booking is recommended during the Easter holidays to guarantee entry.

Come and wake up the wild with us and celebrate the sights, sounds, and stories of spring.

 

“History brought to life. Quite simply a wonderful place to visit. The staff are always friendly and helpful, with a real wealth of knowledge about the historic buildings, traditional crafts and ways of life celebrated at the Museum. The school holiday activities are thoughtfully planned for a range of ages. Last week we made different craft and Easter decorations. It’s such a relaxing place to spend the day, explore at your own pace, and make special family memories.” Visitor feedback, Easter 2025.

 

Supporting The Sussex Snowdrop Trust

As part of our spring celebrations at the Museum, we are working with The Sussex Snowdrop Trust over the Easter Holidays, to support our activities at the Museum and also to support their charitable aims.

The Sussex Snowdrop Trust was founded in 1993 and has helped hundreds of children who have been diagnosed with a life- threatening illness and supported their families, by providing nursing, financial and emotional help, during the most difficult days, from the moment when a child has been diagnosed. The charity has been blessed to have the support of many people, locally and further afield, so that we can continue to provide this crucial help.

The Trust is currently supporting approximately 61 families within a 15-mile radius of Chichester, and they also fund an additional nurse at the Fordwater School, which cater for pupils who have complex educational and medical needs.

Over the Easter Holidays you can take part in our ‘Flower Code Quest’ which has been inspired by the snowdrop emblem.

Also, for every membership that is purchased over the two-week period, whether that be online or at the Museum, we will be donating £3 from each membership sold to The Sussex Snowdrop Trust. You can help support another local charity with your membership, and also unlock your membership to come back and explore the Museum through every season.

 

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Information for Visitors

Discover 40 acres of history, nature, and countryside charm at the Weald & Downland Living Museum near Chichester, West Sussex. Explore our collection of historic buildings, working farm animals, and heritage gardens, and experience what rural life was like in centuries past.

Come Rain or Shine You Can Explore and Enjoy

Stroll through our beautiful open-air museum, where you can see authentic period homes, workshops, and barns set within the stunning South Downs landscape. Enjoy peaceful woodland walks, spot wildlife, or visit the woodland play area — perfect for children to explore and learn through play.

Meet Our Working Animals

Look out for our Heavy Horses, Sheep, and Ducks, who help bring the Museum to life. Visitors can even feed the ducks on the mill pond – grain can be purchased in the Museum shop.

Relax and Refuel

Take a break at our waterside café, serving delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch options. You’re also welcome to bring a picnic, with plenty of scenic spots around the site to enjoy. During the warmer months, Shepherd’s Hut kiosks offer takeaway drinks and snacks around the Museum.

Useful Visitor Information

• Dogs on short leads are very welcome across the site.
• Free parking is available for all visitors.
• Please note: the Museum is a no-smoking site.
• Visitors with accessibility needs can find detailed information on our Accessibility page.

Please note that all activities and demonstrations are subject to change and may vary depending on the weather or season.