The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum was launched in 1967 by a small group of enthusiasts led by the Museum’s founder, the late Dr J R Armstrong MBE. It opened to the public on 5 September 1970.
Since its inception, the Museum has won a host of awards and accolades for its work and Designated Collection, which you can find listed below. The Museum changed its trading name to the Weald & Downland Living Museum in January 2017.
2023
Muddy Stiletto’s Awards
Sussex Family Attraction of the Year 2023
2022
Beautiful South Tourism Awards
Gold Winner, Dog Friendly Business of the Year 2023 – 2023
Commendation, Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2023 – 2023
Sandford Award for Education
Heritage Education Trust
The Sandford Award is an independently judged, quality assured assessment of education programmes at heritage sites, museums, archives and collections across the British Isles.
Muddy Stiletto’s Awards
Sussex Family Attraction of the Year 2022
Trip Advisor
2022 Travellers’ Choice Award Winner
Every year, Trip Advisor celebrates attractions that consistently deliver amazing experiences with a Travellers’ Choice Award — and this year, our Museum made the list. This puts us in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.
2018
Public & Community Award
Sussex Heritage Trust
The Museum’s Gateway Project (visitor centre) was awarded the Public and Community Award by the Sussex Heritage Trust. This award celebrates restoration or new projects, which provide or improves facilities for the community.
2017
Sandford Award for Education
Heritage Education Trust
The Sandford Award is an independently judged, quality assured assessment of education programmes at heritage sites, museums, archives and collections across the British Isles.
Building Crafts Award
Sussex Heritage Trust
The Museum’s Gateway Project (visitor centre) was awarded the Building Crafts Award by the Sussex Heritage Trust, with awards given to suppliers John Grant, Kingsley Roofing, Ben Law & Justin Owen, Woodsmen, for its timber shake roof.
2016
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Our fantastic team of volunteers was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on 2 June 2016.
Our volunteers, who work in the community to stimulate public interest in historical crafts and rural buildings, have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK!
2015
Balfour of Burleigh Tercentenary Prize
Roger Champion, Museum Master Carpenter turned volunteer (post-retirement), was awarded a Balfour of Burleigh tercentenary prize for exceptional achievement in crafts.
Sussex Visitor Attraction of the Year
Celebration of Sussex Life Awards
Sussex Heritage Person of the Year
Sussex Heritage Trust
Awarded to Richard Pailthorpe, Museum Director
2012
Sussex Heritage Person of the Year
Sussex Heritage Trust
Roger Champion, Museum Master Carpenter turned volunteer (post-retirement), was awarded Sussex Heritage Person of the Year by Sussex Heritage Trust.
2011
Europa Nostra Award
The Museum received a European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award for Historic Building Conservation Training Programme, plus Grand Prix Laureate in recognition of outstanding heritage achievements.
2008
Learning Outside the Classroom
Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge awarded.
2001
Sandford Award for Education
Heritage Education Trust
1998
Designated Outstanding Collection
Government designation was awarded to our entire collection. This is awarded to pre-eminent collections of national (and sometimes international) importance.
Interpret Britain Award
Awarded for formal educational provision.
Honorary Masters Degree
Chris Zeuner, Museum Director, was awarded honorary MA from University of Southampton.
1997
Sandford Award for Education
Heritage Education Trust
Sandford Award for Education
West Sussex Countryside Studies
1992
Doctorate of Letters
University of Sussex
Museum Founder, Roy Armstrong, was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Sussex.
1990
OBE awarded to Museum Director
Museum Director, Chris Zeuner, was made an OBE.
1989
Times/Shell Community Museum Award
Voted for by the public and presented by the Duchess of York, this hugely sought after award reflected the Museum’s enormous support from the local community.
1975
National Heritage Museum of the Year Award
We were one of the first independent museums to receive this award, which is now known as the Art Fund Prize for Museum of the Year).
1972
MBE awarded to Museum Founder
Museum founder, Roy Armstrong, was made an MBE.
Downland Gridshell
Awards presented to the Museum for its iconic Downland Gridshell Building
- Runner-up for the RIBA Stirling Prize 2002
- RIBA Architecture Award 2002
- British Construction Industries Small Projects Award 2002
- Full Civic Trust Award 2003
- Wood Awards: Winner in structural category and Gold Award overall (Carpenters Company) 2003
