What's on this month at the Weald & Downland Living Museum

What’s on this month …

With so much to explore at the Museum, the demonstrations and activities vary daily, much like the seasonal activities would have in the time period of the people who lived and worked in our historic buildings.

Our interpretation team, with the help of visiting experts and our wonderful team of knowledgeable volunteers, showcase different aspects of the Museum collection each day.

We have the following additional interpretation activities and demonstrations taking place. Please note activities and demonstrations can be subject to change due to reasons out of our control. It is worth checking on the day of your visit if there is something specific you would like to see.

 

Monday, 6 January – Learn about the sort of foods that may have been prepared for the Feast of Epiphany, as you can watch our volunteer team in action in our Winkhurst Kitchen.

Tuesday, 7 January – See demonstrations on 16th century sewing and household tasks in Bayleaf Farmstead, along with demonstrations in our Tudor kitchen.

Wednesday, 8 January – Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead.

Thursday, 9 January – Watch demonstrations on the sort of housework the ladies of Bayleaf may have carried out in their downtime in Bayleaf Farmstead, which may include 16th century spinning, carding and tablet weaving. Along with demonstrations in our Tudor kitchen.

Friday, 10 January – Discover the art of Tudor Palaeography, as one of our volunteers demonstrates the art of Tudor writing, documents and ink making.

Sunday, 12 January – Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead.

Monday, 13 January – See our volunteers demonstrating in Winkhurst kitchen as they look at the sort of foods that would have been prepared for the Feast Day of St Hilary.

Tuesday, 14 January – Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead.

Wednesday, 15 January – Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead. Also in our Gateway Gallery, you will be able to see some of our volunteers knitting 16th century ladies hose (stockings).

Thursday, 16 January – See demonstrations on how flax was processed into linen yarn in Cowfold barn, and see the preparations for Twelfth Night continue in Winkhurst Kitchen. Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead, along with perpetrations in our Tudor kitchen.

Friday, 17 January – Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead. See demonstrations on how flax was processed into linen yarn in Cowfold barn.

Sunday, 19 January – Join us for our annual Wassail celebrations. See demonstrations in our Winkhurst kitchen, as we prepare for Wassail. Also, visit the bakehouse where we will have some traditional Wassailing cake for visitors to try.

Tuesday, 21 January – Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead. Whilst our team of volunteers in Winkhurst kitchen will be demonstrating preparations for food that might have been prepared for the Feast Day of St Agnes.

Wednesday, 22 January – See demonstrations in our Gateway Gallery, you will be able to see some of our volunteers knitting 16th century ladies hose (stockings). Learn about the techniques of 16th century sewing along with a range of household tasks being carried out in Bayleaf Farmstead, and pop into our Winkhurst kitchen to see demonstrations on how a 16th century kitchen would have been run.

Thursday, 23 January – Watch demonstrations on the sort of housework the ladies of Bayleaf may have carried out in their downtime in Bayleaf Farmstead, which may include 16th century spinning, carding and tablet weaving. Along with demonstrations in our Tudor kitchen, along with demonstrations on how a 16th century kitchen would have been run.

Friday, 24 January – Discover the art of Tudor Palaeography, as one of our volunteers demonstrates the art of Tudor writing, documents and ink making. See demonstrations on how flax was processed into linen yarn in Cowfold barn.

Saturday, 25 January – Join us as we welcome Black Knights Historical History Team to the Museum as they move into the Medieval House from North Cray for the week. They will be living on site in and demonstrating how medieval life may have been during the War of the Roses. They will demonstrate how bread would have been baked in the 15th and 16th century on a daily basis for a busy household, when bread constituted much of your diet.

Sunday 26 January – Watch demonstrations on the sort of housework the ladies of Bayleaf may have carried out in their downtime in Bayleaf Farmstead, which may include 16th century spinning, carding and tablet weaving. Join us for day two of the Black Knights Historical History Team visit to the Museum as they demonstrate how bread would have been baked in the 15th and 16th century on a daily basis for a busy household, when bread constituted much of your diet.

Wednesday, 29 January – In our Gateway Gallery, you will be able to see some of our volunteers knitting 16th century ladies hose (stockings).

Thursday, 30 January – Watch demonstrations on the sort of housework the ladies of Bayleaf may have carried out in their downtime in Bayleaf Farmstead, which may include 16th century spinning, carding and tablet weaving.

Friday, 31 January – See demonstrations on how flax was processed into linen yarn in Cowfold barn.

 

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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, Sheep and Ducks. 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.

 

Date

Thu–Fri 2–31 January 2025
Ongoing...

Time

10:00am–4:00pm