Situated in an area of natural outstanding beauty, we are lucky to play sanctuary to a wonderful range of wildlife on our 40-acre site and welcome many nature experts and…
One of our newest members of staff here at the Museum is Darron Carver, who joined us a few weeks ago as our Head of Collections & Site Operations. We…
Back in 2007 the Museum developed a Historic Clothing Project, led by the then Head of Interpretation, Hannah Miller, with supervision from historian Ruth Goodman and historical costumier Barbara Painter.…
Our volunteers are always encouraged to develop their interests in the old ways of village life and the many crafts that go along with them. In our Victorian blacksmith’s forge,…
These 18th century Heart Cakes are a variation on Queen Cakes, which were often baked in heart-shaped tins as a Valentine’s Gift. This recipe, from Charlotte Mason’s 1777 book The…
Shrovetide consists of the three days before the start of lent, where Christians prepare for the coming of Easter. Each day has significance; Shrove Sunday involved the confession of sins,…
As part of the continuing interpretation of Bayleaf Farmstead at the Museum, our team have hosted a series of immersive interpretation days, enabling visitors to see, hear, smell and even…
One of the great delights for visitors at Weald & Downland Living Museum is the six historic gardens. Each garden sits alongside one of our historic homes, and has been…
Candlemas is an ancient festival that marks the midpoint of winter, halfway between the shortest day and the spring equinox. In pre-Christian times, this day was known as ‘Feast of…
The heart and soul of the Weald & Downland Living Museum is the volunteers who put so much of their passion and time into our Museum. A volunteer who is…
In times when a good harvest and the successful rearing of farm animals was essential to survival, ceremonies like wassailing were held to ensure the health of crops, animals and…
Plough Monday With references dating back to the late 15th century, Plough Monday was generally the first Monday to fall after Epiphany on the 6th January. Following the close of…