Hedgerows & Harvest

Discover the unsung hero of the natural environment.

Hedgerows are a crucial factor in the existence of many plants and animals, over this weekend you can learn about the diversity of the plants and insects that rely on them to survive.

You can also enter in to the bizarre, funny and sometimes emotional world of some of the hedgerow plants, with guests the ‘Seed Sistas’. As they introduce their colourful hedgerow characters Bramble and Rose, with the voices from the Hedgerow in a creative educational production to get you connect with the plant world around you. The Seed Sistas will be brewing up a selection of hedgerow teas for visitors to taste, leading walks to forage from our museum hedgerows whilst explaining the health benefits of food that can be found all around us and they will also be giving a fascinating afternoon talk entitled ‘Hedgerow Superfoods and the Herbal Medicine Underfoot’

In addition, there will be demonstrations across the site to explain how food would have been foraged and preserved through time. Food Historian, Marc Meltonville will be showing how food would have been preserved during Georgian England and our very own museum Tudor team will be explaining how the Bayleaf household would have preserved harvested foods for the winter period.

Ruth and Mark Goodman from The Tudor Group will be taking up residence in Bayleaf Farmstead and Ruth and her team will be making a flock mattress in preparation for the colder months ahead.

Elsewhere across the site there will be the opportunity to meet and talk to representatives from other like-minded local organisations. Plantlife, Sussex Wildlife Trust and Transition Chichester will be promoting the important work they do and explaining the crucial role that the hedgerow plays in supporting the many plants, animals and wildlife that rely on them.

Stuart Ovenden, author of ‘The Orchard Cook’ and ‘The Flowerpot Forager’ will on hand to answer your foraging questions and suggest some delicious recipes from his cook books.

For those who would like a chance to get creative, there will some lovely opportunities to ‘make and take’ some autumnally inspired creations.

Botanical artist Julia White will be helping visitors to make their own hedgerow print, Tony the Flowerman will be offering the chance to make a dried flower decoration and there will be corn dolly tuition on hand too.

The whole weekend will be brought to life with wonderful musical performances by the South Downs Folk Singers and Gail Duff will be regaling listeners with ‘Songs and Tales of Hedgerows and Harvest’

View the event programme here.

Information for Visitors

The Museum’s 40 acres site, historic gardens and buildings are fascinating places to learn about rural history. Visitors can purchase grain from the Museum shop and feed the hungry ducks on the mill pond. Whilst enjoying the great outdoors and fresh air, look out for our working animals, which can include the Heavy Horses. There are a number of lovely woodland trails, including a woodland play area for children to explore.

Why not enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch at our waterside café?  Visitors can also bring a picnic as there are plenty of picnic areas available on site.  Takeaway refreshments will also be available from our seasonal Shepherd’s Huts located around the Museum.

Dogs on short leads are welcome and there is ample free parking. Please note that the Museum is a no-smoking site. Visitors with access needs are advised to read our accessibility page in advance of their visit.

All activities are subject to change.