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
Willow Platters
Conservation of Historic Brickwork
Stumpwork Cockerel
Calligraphy for Beginners – Italic Script
Copper Foil Stained Glass Workshop
Gate Hurdle Making Day
How to Drive Heavy Horses – Sold Out
How to Sketch: Introduction to Textures & Techniques
Create a Frame Basket – Sold Out
Natural Navigation Walk
Traditional Soapmaking & Perfumes
Introduction To Sprang
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
How to Care for & Manage Heavy Horses
Conservation of Historic Brickwork
Create a Frame Basket
Introduction to Falconry
Make a Copper Ladle
Make A Silver Necklace
Introduction to maille (chainmail) making
Natural Navigation Walk
Inspired by the Museum: How to Paint with Watercolours
Copper Foil Stained Glass Workshop
Flax to Linen
Flax to Linen
Inspired by the Museum: Sketching Animals
Stumpwork Dragonfly
Nettle Fibre Workshop: from Sting to Spin
Beekeeping for Beginners
How to Read Old Documents for Family and Local History
Nettle Fibre Workshop: from Sting to Spin
Nettle Fibre Workshop: from Sting to Spin
Victorian Crazy Patchwork
Illuminated Lettering
How to Care for & Manage Heavy Horses
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
Botanical Illustration: Hips, Haws & Berries
Introduction to Signwriting
Willow Christmas Trees
Make a Silver Ring Stack
Make a Silver Ring Stack
Willow Christmas Trees
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.