What’s On This Month…
Discover what’s on this month as there is always something new to discover at the Weald & Downland Living Museum. Just as life in the past changed with the seasons, our demonstrations and hands-on activities vary from day to day, reflecting the rhythms of the people who once lived and worked in our historic buildings.
Our interpretation team, supported by visiting specialists and our fantastic, knowledgeable volunteers, brings different parts of the Museum’s collection to life each day, offering fresh stories, skills, and insights to enjoy.
Alongside our regular programme, a range of additional interpretation activities and demonstrations will be taking place. Please be aware that these may change due to circumstances beyond our control, so if there’s something you’re particularly keen to see, we recommend checking on the day of your visit and keeping an eye on our social media channels for any news.
May:
Monday, 18 May
A calmer day focused on railway life and the workings of a historic watermill.
Perfect for a peaceful, reflective historical visit.
Tuesday, 19 May
Taste, learn, and explore: Georgian dairying, Tudor farming, and the lives of women across time.
Engage all your senses in the past.
Wednesday, 20 May
Return to rural rhythms with flax processing, farmhouse life, and guided insights into historic spaces.
Enjoy the steady pace of traditional working life.
Thursday, 21 May
Discover Tudor clothing, farming, and domestic life, alongside insights into heavy horses and rural labour.
A rich day for lovers of agricultural and social history.
Friday, 22 May
Experience household authority and traditional crafts with Tudor cooking and rag rugging.
Step inside the world of historic home life.
Saturday, 23 May
Step Into the Saxon World This May Half Term
Travel back 1,000 years and experience history like never before.
This May half term, embark on an unforgettable, hands-on adventure into the Saxon age at the Weald & Downland Living Museum. From mysterious riddles to ancient crafts, thrilling storytelling to real archaeological discovery—there’s something to spark every imagination.
Living History: Victorian Showtime
Join us for three days of extraordinary Victorian showtime entertainment, as we are joined by Melford Hys Companie, as they showcase their Victorian Travelling Show.
See their collection of oddities as they bring to life their travelling show from the 1890s. Enjoy their extraordinary acts of daring, tales of the Empire, a doctor that can cure all ills and the delightful Gristle Sisters who are always on hand with a snack or a tea leaf reading.
Feel the buzz of a Victorian fairground atmosphere.
Sunday, 24 May
Continue the Victorian festivities alongside Tudor games, cottage life, and historic cooking.
A perfect blend of entertainment and education.
Monday, 25 May
Final day of the Victorian show: experience working life, milling, and traditional crafts in full swing.
Don’t miss the grand finale of living history.
Tuesday, 26 May
Half term continues with hands-on demonstrations, tastings, and talks on Tudor and Georgian life.
An engaging day for curious minds of all ages.
Wednesday, 27 May
Meet historical characters, explore crafts, and learn about rural industries and daily life.
Step into the stories of ordinary people from the past.
Thursday, 28 May
Discover skilled trades, from pin-making to farming, alongside Tudor domestic life.
Perfect for those fascinated by forgotten professions.
Friday, 29 May
Return to domestic history with cooking, household authority, and textile crafts.
Enjoy the quiet craftsmanship of the past.
Saturday, 30 May
Experience the forge with a Tudor blacksmith, alongside Regency toll keeping and farmhouse life.
Hear history come alive through fire, metal, and labour.
Sunday, 31 May
Close the month with Tudor games, blacksmithing, and bustling village life across multiple eras.
End the month immersed in the energy and vitality of living history.
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Become a Member and Make the Most of the Seasons
Becoming a Member is the best way to enjoy the Museum throughout the changing seasons while helping to care for our historic buildings, traditional crafts, and beautiful landscape. As an independent charity with no government funding, your support helps protect this special place for future generations. With unlimited visits, seasonal activities, and new experiences to discover each time, membership quickly empowers the joy of returning.
Join as a Member and make the most of everything the Museum offers every season.
Click here to find out more about our membership
Information for Visitors
The Museum’s 40 acre 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.
