This year marks a very special milestone for us here at the Weald & Downland Living Museum: our 55th anniversary. For over half a century, we’ve opened our gates to millions of visitors who have wandered our historic buildings, explored our woodlands, and shared in the stories of rural life that echo through our landscape.
To celebrate this anniversary, we’re turning our attention to the future with an ambitious new appeal: ‘Accessible to Everyone – 55 for 55’. Our goal is to raise £55,000 to make the Museum more accessible for all – today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
While our 40-acre site is rich in history and beauty, its rural character can present real challenges. Steep slopes, uneven paths, and historic terrain can make navigation difficult for wheelchair users, those with mobility aids, families with pushchairs, and visitors with other access needs. We believe wholeheartedly that heritage should be open to everyone. And now, we’re asking for your help to make that core belief more of a reality.
What Your Support Will Help Us Achieve
Your donations will fund a wide-ranging programme of accessibility improvements across the Museum, including:
- New accessible pathways to help visitors move more freely and confidently around the site.
- Inclusive play areas, thoughtfully designed so children of all abilities can explore, play, and rest.
- Improved signage and interpretation, using easy-read formats and clear, accessible design.
- Site-wide upgrades, including better wayfinding, comfort features, and sustainable travel options to enhance the whole visitor experience.
As our Museum Director, Clare de Bathe, puts it: ‘We believe that heritage belongs to all of us. As we mark our 55th year, this campaign gives us a vital opportunity to make the Museum more accessible, more inclusive, and more welcoming for all communities.’
Special Ways to Support and Enjoy
As unique incentives for our supporters, we’ve curated a selection of one-of-a-kind experiences that celebrate the spirit of the Museum. These include:
- A Woodland Myth Walk for £55
- An exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour for Two
- Afternoon Tea in Whittaker’s Cottage
- A ‘Repair Shop’ Experience
- The chance to brew your own beer in Winkhurst Kitchen
- Even the opportunity to sponsor a historic building, an inclusive play space, or attend a Tudor Banquet in Bayleaf House
These are not simply perks, they’re invitations to become part of the living history we care for every day.
Give the Gift of Access
As the festive season draws near, we invite you to join us in giving a truly meaningful gift: the gift of access. By donating to this campaign, you are helping us preserve history in a way that welcomes everyone, regardless of age, background, or ability.
As Sophie Parkin, our Head of Audience & Development, says: ‘We want every visitor to feel that this Museum is a place for them. By supporting the campaign, you are helping us preserve history while ensuring that everyone can enjoy it.’
To learn more and make a donation, please click here.
Together, we can ensure that the Weald & Downland Living Museum remains a place of learning, wonder, and welcome, for all.
