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.
**Please note: due to the extreme temperatures forecast in the current heat wave, we will not be operating any of our interpretation that involves fire-based activities in the Bakehouse, Forge or Tudor Kitchen. (Updated 11 August).**
August:
Monday, 10 August
Step inside a working historic village. Explore Tudor farming life, watch traditional fletching, visit the Victorian railway cottage and discover how the Museum’s working watermill served local communities. Perfect for families and anyone curious about Britain’s rural past.
Tuesday, 11 August
Spend the day travelling through history before an unforgettable evening of theatre. Explore Tudor life, enjoy Georgian dairy tastings and heritage talks, then settle in beneath the summer sky for The Three Inch Fools’ hilarious outdoor performance of King Arthur and the Holy Fail. A fantastic day out for history lovers and theatre fans alike.
Wednesday, 12 August
Enjoy a day packed with traditional skills and family fun. Watch replica clothing being knitted, discover life inside a tin tabernacle, join in with maypole dancing and hear fascinating talks about the Museum’s forge and historic gardens. Families will especially enjoy this interactive day out.
Thursday, 13 August
Step inside a bustling Tudor home. Explore life in a 16th-century yeoman household, watch authentic Tudor cookery, enjoy traditional live music and discover how clothing reflected status during engaging Tudor dress talks. A must-visit for Tudor history enthusiasts.
Friday, 14 August
See history unfold through traditional craftsmanship. Discover how flax was prepared for storage, meet the Mistress of the House, explore Tudor cookery and watch the timeless skill of rag rug making. Perfect for anyone interested in historic homes and heritage crafts.
Saturday, 15 August
Meet the people who shaped everyday life centuries ago. Watch an Elizabethan musical instrument maker at work, encounter Annie the Pedlar, discover life in the 17th century and learn about the fascinating world of the Georgian barber surgeon. Ideal for lovers of living history.
Sunday, 16 August
Celebrate a historic feast day like never before. Experience a traditional feast marking the Feast of the Virgin Mary, meet Pete the Tudor Games Maker and discover life inside a Victorian railway cottage. A fantastic day out for families and history lovers alike.
Monday, 17 August
Discover the colours, flavours and craftsmanship of the past. Explore Tudor farming life, visit the Tudor kitchen, learn about natural dyes, hear the story of the working watermill and uncover the exotic spices that transformed historic cooking. Perfect for visitors who enjoy immersive history.
Tuesday, 18 August
Experience a day full of fascinating discoveries. Meet skilled lacemakers, explore Tudor homes, compare women’s lives across the centuries and enjoy delicious Georgian dairy tastings alongside engaging heritage talks. A brilliant day for curious minds of every age.
Wednesday, 19 August
See traditional skills kept alive before your eyes. Watch flax processing, knitting demonstrations and life inside a historic tin tabernacle, then join in with maypole dancing and discover the stories behind the Museum’s forge and gardens. Perfect for anyone who loves traditional crafts and rural history.
Thursday, 20 August
Watch history come to life through working demonstrations. Explore a Victorian railway cottage, see the Tudor bread oven fired, discover flax processing, enjoy traditional live music and experience life on a Tudor farmstead. A wonderful day for the whole family.
Friday, 21 August
Experience traditional crafts in action. Discover Saxon natural dyeing, watch flax being processed, meet the Mistress of the House and see skilled pole lathe turning transform raw timber into everyday objects. Perfect for anyone fascinated by historic craftsmanship.
Saturday, 22 August
Step onto the battlefield of the 17th century. Experience the excitement of the War of the Three Kingdoms as soldiers, civilians and living historians recreate one of Britain’s most turbulent periods. Alongside the living history encampments, discover Tudor life and traditional crafts across the Museum. A must-visit for military history enthusiasts and families alike.
Sunday, 23 August
Immerse yourself in a weekend of living history. Experience the excitement of the War of the Three Kingdoms, meet Meg the Pedlar, enjoy Tudor games, discover Saxon natural dyeing and visit the Victorian schoolroom. Perfect for visitors who love history brought vividly to life.
Monday, 24 August
Discover a day packed with traditional skills and heritage. Explore Tudor farming life, meet Pete the Tudor Games Maker, watch fletching and natural dyeing, visit the Tudor kitchen and hear the story of the Museum’s working watermill. Ideal for families looking to make the most of the summer holidays.
Tuesday, 25 August
Taste, explore and experience the Tudor world. Meet skilled lacemakers, discover life in a Tudor household, compare women’s lives across the centuries and enjoy delicious Georgian dairy tastings throughout the day. Perfect for curious visitors of every generation.
Wednesday, 26 August
Step into the rhythm of historic village life. Meet Meg the Pedlar, watch flax processing and knitting demonstrations, discover life inside a tin tabernacle and enjoy traditional maypole dancing before exploring the Museum’s forge and historic gardens. A fantastic day for families and history lovers alike.
Thursday, 27 August
Enjoy a relaxing summer day surrounded by history. Wander through a Tudor farmhouse, explore a bustling Tudor kitchen and soak up the atmosphere with traditional live music echoing around the Market Hall. Perfect for anyone looking to slow down and enjoy the past.
Friday, 28 August
Discover the fascinating stories behind everyday life. Meet the Mistress of the House, explore Tudor cookery, learn about the history of midwifery from Anglo-Saxon England to today and uncover the importance of spices in Tudor kitchens. A brilliant day for anyone who enjoys social history.
Saturday, 29 August
Experience one of the Museum’s most atmospheric heritage weekends. Watch the spectacular Charcoal Burn in action, meet the Chichester Beekeepers, discover Saxon weaving and explore a bustling Tudor farmhouse. It’s an unforgettable celebration of traditional countryside skills. Perfect for anyone who loves heritage crafts and rural history.
Sunday, 30 August
Enjoy a celebration of traditional countryside life. Experience the Charcoal Burn, hear folk songs and stories, meet local beekeepers, watch natural indigo dyeing, play Tudor games and meet Meg the Pedlar as history comes alive around every corner. Perfect for families looking for an unforgettable summer adventure.
Monday, 31 August
Make the most of the final day of the summer holidays. Visit the Charcoal Burn, meet local beekeepers, explore Tudor farming life, discover the working watermill, learn about Tudor spices and watch traditional flax processing in action. A fitting finale for anyone who loves history, heritage and great family days out.
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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.
