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.
Ploughing with Heavy Horses – Sold Out
Make A Living Willow Chair
Willow Garden Supports
Spoon Carving for Beginners
Spoon Carving for Beginners – Sold Out
Spoon Carving for Beginners
Pole Lathe Bowl Turning
Pole Lathe Bowl Turning
Make a Hedgerow Brush
How To Carve A Letter In Stone
How to Carve an Ammonite in Bath Stone
Willow Platters
Conservation of Historic Brickwork – Sold Out
Stumpwork Cockerel
Calligraphy for Beginners – Italic Script – Sold Out
Copper Foil Stained Glass Workshop
Gate Hurdle Making Day – Sold Out
Lime Plasters
Limewash, Distemper & Linseed-based Paints
Traditional Woodcut Printing
Traditional Woodcut Printing
How to Drive Heavy Horses – Sold Out
How to Sketch: Introduction to Textures & Techniques
Create a Frame Basket – Sold Out
Natural Navigation Walk – Sold Out
Make a Draw Horse
Oak Timber Framing: Jowl Posts
Traditional Soapmaking
Introduction To Sprang
Introduction To Nalbinding
Introduction To Nalbinding
Introduction to Falconry
How to Draw Buildings in Pen & Ink
How to Drive Heavy Horses – Sold Out
Gate Hurdle Making Day
Botanical Illustration: Culinary & Therapeutic Herbs
Herbal Woodcuts: Block Cutting & Printing
How to Care for & Manage Heavy Horses
The Roofing Square
Dowsing Day
Introduction to Green Wood Working
Traditional Linocut Printmaking
Introduction to Pole Lathe
Traditional Linocut Printmaking
Conservation of Historic Brickwork
Create a Frame Basket
Oak Timber Framing: Wall Framing
Introduction to Falconry
Stone Carving: Green Man
Health and Herbal Medicine in Roman Britain
Make a Copper Ladle
Herbs in Healthcare – Supporting Vital Health
Make A Silver Necklace
Herbs and Climate Change
Introduction to maille (chainmail) making
Natural Navigation Walk – Sold Out
How to Shoot a Traditional Longbow
How to Shoot a Traditional Longbow
Relief Carving in Wood
Inspired by the Museum: How to Paint with Watercolours
Letter Carving in Wood
Copper Foil Stained Glass Workshop
Flax to Linen
Flax to Linen
Inspired by the Museum: Sketching Animals
Coracle Making Weekend
Stumpwork Dragonfly – Sold Out
Nettle Fibre Workshop: from Sting to Spin – Sold Out
Beekeeping for Beginners
How to Read Old Documents for Family and Local History
Nettle Fibre Workshop: from Sting to Spin
Leather Belt Making Workshop
Leather Pouch Workshop
Wood Block Textiles Printing
Nettle Fibre Workshop: from Sting to Spin
Introduction to Green Wood Working
Introduction to Pole Lathe
Victorian Crazy Patchwork
Illuminated Lettering
How To Repair Traditional Timber Walls & Roofs
How to Care for & Manage Heavy Horses
How to Date Timber-Framed Buildings in the Weald and Downland region
How to Date Non Domestic Timber-framed Buildings in the Weald and Downland Region
How to Draw in Charcoal
Natural Navigation Walk
Honey & Beeswax: Super Natural Formulations
History of Bee Products in Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics
Conservation of Historic Brickwork
Discover the Art of Quilting
Introduction to Falconry
Wattle & Daub
Fire & Historic Buildings
Botanical Illustration: Hips, Haws & Berries
Oak Timber Framing: Roof Framing
Timber Decay & its Treatment
Introduction to Signwriting
Willow Christmas Trees
Make a Silver Ring Stack
Make a Silver Ring Stack – Sold Out
Willow Christmas Trees
Print Your Own Woodcut Christmas Cards
Print Your Own Woodcut Christmas Cards
Print Your Own Woodcut Christmas Cards
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
Everlasting Willow Christmas Wreath
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.