18 December 2025
The History of Wassailing
Wassailing emerged in the depths of winter, long before modern conveniences eased the hardships of rural life, when communities across England turned to time-honoured customs to carry them through the…
3 December 2025
Tree Dressing Day: Celebrating the Beauty of Trees
As Tree Dressing Day draws near, it can be interesting to ask ourselves this question: have you ever looked at a tree and seen more than just wood and leaves?…
1 December 2025
The Peace before the Party: Advent Traditions
Advent calendars. They are everywhere at this time of year. From the classic chocolate ones in their various flavours and colours, to the more modern and inventive ones of tea,…
25 November 2025
Accessible to Everyone: Our 55th Anniversary Appeal
This year marks a very special milestone for us here at the Weald & Downland Living Museum: our 55th anniversary. For over half a century, we’ve opened our gates to…
28 October 2025
Our LSA Building: A Part of Britain’s Rural Revolution
When we think of Britain’s interwar years, we often picture the roaring twenties or the austerity of the thirties, but amid these decades of change, one of the most quietly…
17 October 2025
Celebrating All Hallow’s Eve Like a Medieval
When most people think of Halloween today, they imagine carved pumpkins, spooky costumes, and trick-or-treating. Yet beneath these modern trappings lies a much older tradition - a distinctly British story…
23 September 2025
A Medieval Harvest Festival: Michaelmas
Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, was one of the most important festivals in the medieval English calendar. Falling on the 29th of September, it marked both…
17 September 2025
Crafting Culture: The Importance of Heritage Crafts & Skills
Culture is built on the practices and characteristics that make a place unique. For thousands of years and countless generations, humans have always crafted. Whether it be art or practical…
4 September 2025
Our Story: The Founding of the Weald & Downland Living Museum
Nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park, the Weald & Downland Living Museum tells the stories of rural life in South East England, not just through its…
12 August 2025
Joining the Past & Present: The Joiners’ Shop from Witley
As part of our collection here at the Museum, stands the Joiners’ Shop from Witley. While a fascinating building in its own right, the Joiners’ shop also gives us an…
31 July 2025
Toys Through Time: A History of Toys & Games
Toys have long played a vital role in the lives of children, providing not only entertainment but also education, socialisation, and development. Across history, the materials, design, and purpose of…
20 July 2025
Whispers of the Weald: Folklore in West Sussex
From age-old legends of ghostly processions to the rustic charm of shepherd songs echoing across sheep-filled hillsides, West Sussex hums with echoes of its folkloric past. Especially in the Weald…
