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.
June:
Monday 1 June
Step back into the 16th century at Bayleaf Farmhouse this morning, where demonstrators bring Tudor yeoman life vividly to life, alongside a full day of cooking demonstrations in Winkhurst Kitchen. Don’t miss the timed talk on the fascinating world of spices in Tudor England at 12:30. A great start to the month for history lovers of all ages.
Tuesday 2 June
A packed day with something for everyone: explore life in a 16th century yeoman farmhouse and kitchen at Bayleaf and Winkhurst, or discover what it was like to live in a late Victorian railway worker’s cottage at Whittaker’s. Two timed talks on women’s lives from 1540 to today run through the afternoon, and the Georgian dairy comes alive with butter-tasting sessions from 11am. Perfect for families wanting a rich, hands-on day out.
Wednesday 3 June
Join in with Maypole dancing sessions at 11am, 12pm and 1pm, watch the forge team at Southwater Smithy, meet Meg the licensed Tudor pedlar at Bayleaf, or catch the knitting hose demonstration at Lower Lavant. Timed talks on dressing as a Tudor run at noon and 2pm. A wonderful mid-week visit for families and school groups alike.
Thursday 4 June
A quieter but no less rewarding day, with full demonstrations running at both Winkhurst Kitchen and Bayleaf Farmhouse, immersing visitors in the rhythms of 16th century domestic life from morning until mid-afternoon. Ideal for a relaxed, unhurried visit.
Friday 5 June
A brilliant day for those curious about the stranger corners of history. Paul Ullson returns as an 18th century barber surgeon at Tindalls Cottage, while Caroline Adams takes on the role of Mistress of the House at Winkhurst. Flax processing runs throughout the day at Horsham Shops, and rag rugging gets underway from 1:30pm at Lower Lavant. A wonderfully varied day for curious visitors.
Saturday 6 June
A treat for craft and music lovers alike. Watch Paul Chernett craft exquisite Elizabethan musical instruments at Titchfield Market Hall. Anne Chernett is making Regency hats at the Toll House, and Paul Henry traces the full journey of flax at Horsham Shop. Bayleaf Farmhouse continues its yeoman life demonstrations all day. A wonderful day for anyone who loves heritage craft at its finest.
Sunday 7 June
A Sunday full of colour and craft. Peter Crossman demonstrates the intricate art of pin-making at Horsham Shop, the Saxon Hall hosts games of the 16th century alongside kitchen and cottage demonstrations, and Mr Baker’s Dozen Morris Dancers from the Isle of Wight perform in the Market Square at noon and 2pm. A lively, festive day the whole family will enjoy.
Monday 8 June
Morning demonstrations at Bayleaf Farmhouse, Winkhurst Kitchen, and Whittaker’s Cottages give a vivid snapshot of working life across the centuries. The Lurgashall Watermill team give their engaging short talk at noon; a fascinating glimpse into the life of a working mill. A great choice for a gentle, discovery-led Monday visit.
Tuesday 9 June
Traditionally said to be the luckiest day of the year, the Feast of St Columba, and there’s certainly plenty to enjoy. The full programme of farmhouse, kitchen, and railway cottage demonstrations runs through the day, Steve Scott talks ornamental dairies at Eastwick Park from noon, and Susan Williams gives her popular talk on Cowfold Barn and its place in the Tudor farmstead at 12:30. Bring your luck and your curiosity.
Wednesday 10 June
Another wonderful Wednesday with Maypole dancing back in full swing at 11am, noon, and 1pm. Meet Meg the pedlar at Bayleaf, catch the Southwater Smithy talk at noon, and look out for the Historic Gardens introduction at 2pm. A brilliant mid-week day out for all the family.
Thursday 11 June
On the Feast of St Barnabas, Bayleaf Farmhouse and Winkhurst Kitchen are both in full swing. The popular “Dressing as a Tudor” timed talks run at noon and 2pm at Bayleaf. A great day for those who love getting close to the detail of Tudor material culture.
Friday 12 June
Caroline Adams returns as Mistress of the House at Winkhurst, with kitchen demonstrations running alongside. Flax processing fills the day at Horsham Shops, and the rag rugging session at Lower Lavant picks up again from 1:30pm. A satisfying day for those who love the quieter crafts and domestic arts of the past.
Saturday 13 June
A truly special weekend begins today as the museum celebrates Midsummer. Bayleaf Farmhouse hosts a full celebration of Midsummer in the 16th century, the Village Wise Woman holds court at Hangleton, the Saxon Hall comes alive with a cunning woman, warrior, and bard, and the Toll Keeper marks Midsummer at the Toll House.
This special weekend explores how Midsummer has been celebrated for thousands of years. Rooted in both pagan and religious traditions, Midsummer marks one of the great quarter days of the ritual year, a time of sunlight, abundance, and connection to nature. If you are looking for a unique family day out in West Sussex, this immersive living history event brings the sights, sounds, and stories of Midsummer to life across the Museum’s historic buildings.
The sheep are being shorn at the Stables from 10am, with timed demonstrations at 11am and 1pm. Sompting Village Morris perform in the Market Square from 11am. The new Richard Cobden exhibition also opens today in the Entrance Gallery. An unmissable day.
Sunday 14 June
Day two of our Midsummer weekend! The Midsummer celebrations continue, with South Downs Folk Singers performing Sussex Day songs in the Market Square at noon and 2pm. The Saxon cunning woman, Toll Keeper, Village Wise Woman, and 18th century cottage living history all return for a second day. A joyful, music-filled Sunday celebrating both the season and Sussex itself.
Monday 15 June
A peaceful Monday with morning demonstrations at Bayleaf Farmhouse and Whittaker’s Cottages, and the popular Lurgashall Watermill talk at noon. A lovely, unhurried day for those who prefer a quieter visit.
Tuesday 16 June
A rich Tuesday programme includes Susan Clee weaving on a Saxon warp-weighted loom at Lower Lavant, a rare and fascinating demonstration, alongside the usual farmhouse, kitchen, and cottage offerings. The Georgian dairy butter-tasting runs from 11am, and Susan Williams gives her Cowfold Barn talk at 12:30. Something for every kind of history enthusiast.
Wednesday 17 June
Wednesdays continue to deliver a full and varied programme: Maypole dancing, Meet Meg the pedlar, knitting hose, the Southwater Smithy talk, and the Historic Gardens introduction all feature. The “Dressing as a Tudor” talks return at noon and 2pm at Bayleaf. A reliable and rewarding mid-week visit for all the family.
Thursday 18 June
Peter Crossman’s pin-making demonstration is back at Horsham Shop, and Jenni Thompson delivers her popular “Midwifery Across the Centuries” talks under the Market Hall, covering the Saxon, Early Modern, and Victorian periods at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 2pm. A thought-provoking and genuinely surprising day for adult visitors.
Friday 19 June
Caroline Adams takes on the Mistress of the House once more, with flax processing running all day at Horsham Shops and rag rugging from 1:30pm at Lower Lavant. A relaxed Friday programme ideal for a quieter family visit or a solo afternoon of discovery.
Saturday 20 June
The Midsummer spirit continues with Marc Meltonville brewing for Midsummer in the 16th century at Winkhurst Kitchen, while David and Tracey Eggleston bring a 17th century farmhouse to life at Pendean. The Oak King and Fairy Queen living history roams the site all day. A magical, atmospheric day that visitors of all ages will long remember.
Sunday 21 June
Marc Meltonville’s Midsummer brewing continues at Winkhurst, the Chichester Beekeepers Association bring their hives and expertise to Cowfold Barn, and the Oak King and Fairy Queen are out roving the site again. Paul Henry traces the journey of flax at Horsham Shop, and Meg the pedlar is back at Bayleaf.
Today is Father’s Day! Enjoy a relaxed day out exploring our beautiful 40-acre site, with free entry for that special father figure in your life. A rich, varied Sunday perfectly suited to a long family day out.
Monday 22 June
Morning demonstrations at Bayleaf and Whittaker’s Cottages keep the week rolling, with the Lurgashall Watermill talk returning at noon. A gentle, enjoyable start to the week for those looking for a relaxed visit.
Tuesday 23 June
The “Woman’s Life: 1540 vs 2026” timed talks return at Winkhurst at 11:30am and 2pm, sitting alongside the regular farmhouse and kitchen demonstrations. The Georgian dairy butter-tasting runs through the afternoon, and Susan Williams gives her Cowfold Barn talk at 12:30. A particularly good day for visitors interested in the history of women’s lives.
Wednesday 24 June — Midsummer’s Day / Feast of St John
On the feast of St John the Apostle and traditional Midsummer’s Day itself, the museum marks the occasion with Maypole dancing at 11am, noon, and 1pm. Meg the pedlar is at Bayleaf, knitting hose is underway at Lower Lavant, and the Smithy and Historic Gardens talks round out a festive mid-week day. Come and celebrate the height of summer in proper historical style.
Thursday 25 June
A quieter but full day with farmhouse and kitchen demonstrations running through the day at Bayleaf and Winkhurst, and flax processing in the morning at Horsham Shops. A lovely, unhurried Thursday for those who want to settle into the pace of the past.
Friday 26 June
Jenni Thompson returns with her compelling “Midwifery Across the Centuries” talks under the Market Hall at 11:30am, 12:30pm, and 2pm, alongside flax processing all day at Horsham Shops and rag rugging from 1:30pm at Lower Lavant. A thoughtful and engaging day particularly suited to adult visitors.
Saturday 27 June
A highlight weekend: medieval pilgrims of the 14th century, referencing St Richard of Chichester, roam the site all day in a wonderful site-wide living history experience. The Jellies and Flummery weekend begins at Eastwick Park Dairy from 11am, with Steve Scott and Marc Meltonville demonstrating Georgian jelly-making and displaying a beautiful collection of moulds. Winkhurst Kitchen and Bayleaf Farmhouse round out a superb Saturday. A must-visit weekend for food history enthusiasts.
Sunday 28 June
The Jellies and Flummery weekend concludes with another day of Georgian dairy delights at Eastwick Park Dairy from 11am. Meg the pedlar returns to Bayleaf, games of the 16th century fill the farmhouse, and Paul Henry traces the journey of flax at Horsham Shop. A sweet and satisfying end to a landmark weekend.
Monday 29 June — Feast of St Peter
The week opens on the feast of St Peter with morning demonstrations at Bayleaf and Whittaker’s Cottages, and the Lurgashall Watermill talk at noon. A peaceful and rewarding Monday visit.
Tuesday 30 June
June ends with a flourish: the Daywood Carvers join the programme at Gridshell, alongside the usual farmhouse, kitchen, and dairy offerings. The “Woman’s Life: 1540 vs 2026” talks return at 11:30am and 2pm, and Susan Williams gives the final Cowfold Barn talk of the month at 12:30. A fitting and varied close to a remarkable month at the museum.
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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.
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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.
