The Museum has secured a £227,000 funding award to transform access and visitor experience
The Museum is delighted to have been awarded £227,000 funding from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.
This unique open-air museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rural heritage of south-eastern England. Across its 40-acre site, it brings history vividly to life through its collection of historic buildings, working landscapes, traditional crafts and immersive learning experiences.
Visitors of all ages can explore centuries of rural life, step inside historic buildings, engage with heritage skills and experience history hands-on, making the Museum a unique and engaging destination for families, schools, and communities.
While the 40-acre site is rich in history and beauty, its rural character can present real challenges. Steep slopes, uneven paths, and historic terrain can make navigation difficult for wheelchair users, those with mobility aids, families with pushchairs and visitors with other access needs. The Museum believes wholeheartedly that heritage should be open to everyone.
This funding award will help the Museum to improve its commitment to keeping rural life alive and sharing the stories of ordinary people, by making the site Accessible to Everyone.
“We are delighted to announce that the Museum has been awarded £227,000 from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, marking a significant investment in the future of the site. This funding will support a major capital improvement project designed to enhance accessibility, protect the landscape, and improve the overall visitor experience” said Clare de Bathe, Museum Director at the Weald & Downland Living Museum.
A total of £177,000 will be used to replace the existing paths across the site with a new, durable surface, alongside the installation of improved drainage systems. Covering over 2,500m², these works will prevent erosion and ensure the paths remain accessible and safe for years to come.
The improvements will make a substantial difference for visitors to the Museum, enabling easier movement for wheelchair users, mobility vehicles, and pushchairs. It will also enhance access to the Museum’s collection buildings and key spaces such as their Winkhurst Kitchen.
In addition, £50,000 has been allocated to significantly improve wayfinding across the site. This includes new signage and finger posts, as well as a full refresh of over 52 outdoor interpretation boards located at each building. These updates will help visitors better navigate the site and deepen their engagement with the Museum’s collections and stories.
“This investment represents a major step forward in making the Museum more inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for all. We are incredibly grateful for this support and excited about the positive impact it will have on our visitors and community.
Work will begin in May 2026, and they look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.” says Clare de Bathe.
