Lifelong learning has been at the heart of the Museum’s aims since its founding over 40 years ago. We strive to promote the preservation of buildings of architectural or historic interest, as well as the ancient crafts, trades and manufactures of the Weald & Downland region. The courses we offer make use of our historic exhibit buildings and collections of smaller artefacts, our landscape and our regionality, giving course participants access to a unique learning environment.
Courses at the Museum
We run extensive programmes of day-schools and longer courses in Historic Building Conservation and Traditional Rural Trades and Crafts, along with a series of evening talks on a range of lively topics. Our courses are taught by current practitioners in their fields, who are enthusiastic about their speciality and are generous in sharing their knowledge and skills. Whether you are looking for a new hobby or to learn a new skill which might change your career, we have something for you. We hope you will enjoy browsing through our courses, and we look forward to taking your booking.
Weave a Rush Hat – Sold Out
Weave a Rush Bag – Sold Out
How to Date Timber-Framed Buildings in the South
How to Draw in Charcoal
How to Date Timber-Framed Buildings in the South – Sold Out
Natural Navigation Walk – Sold Out
Victorian Crazy Patchwork – Sold Out
Illuminated Lettering – Sold Out
Lime Plasters – Sold Out
Limewash, Distemper & Linseed-based Paints
How to Care for & Manage Heavy Horses – Sold Out
Wattle & Daub
Conservation of Historic Brickwork – Sold Out
Stone Carving: Green Man – Sold Out
Botanical Illustration: Hips, Haws & Berries
Discover the Art of Quilting – Sold Out
Oak Timber Framing: Roof Framing
Leather Belt Making Workshop – Sold Out
Spinning: Drop Spindle & the Wheel – Sold Out
Leather Pouch Workshop – Sold Out
Introduction to Falconry – Sold Out
Fire & Historic Buildings – Sold Out
Wood Block Textiles Printing – Sold Out
Bronze Sword Casting – Sold Out
Bronze Axe Casting – Sold Out
Bronze Dagger Casting – Sold Out
Bronze Axe Casting
Timber Decay & its Treatment
Make a Needle Felt Teddy Bear – Sold Out
Willow Christmas Trees – Sold Out
Introduction to Signwriting
Mushroom Dorset Button
Copper Foil Stained Glass Workshop
Practical Flint Walling – Sold Out
Willow Christmas Trees – Sold Out
Print Your Own Woodcut Christmas Cards – Sold Out
Print Your Own Woodcut Christmas Cards – Sold Out
How to Knit A Hat
Print Your Own Woodcut Christmas Cards
How to Knit, Block by Block
Make a Silver Ring Stack
Make a Silver Ring Stack
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Needle Felting Christmas Decorations
Christmas Tea Light Stained Glass Workshop
MSc Degrees
For those that are interested in taking their knowledge further and achieving a high level qualification, the Museum also offers two Masters Degree programmes, in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation.