In 1983, a quiet yet transformative initiative took root at the Weald & Downland Living Museum – one born not from blueprints or brickwork, but from soil, seed, and a passionate commitment to historical authenticity. Recognising that history lives not just in architecture but in the very landscapes that surrounded everyday homes, the Museum began an ambitious journey to recreate the domestic environments of the past. These curtilages – modest plots of land attached to historic buildings – were integral to the rhythm of life in bygone centuries. Now, they would be revived with the same care and research given to the buildings themselves.
The earliest efforts began humbly, with the creation of a small decorative garden beside the Toll House and a herb garden adjacent to the Bayleaf Farmhouse. Maintained by dedicated volunteers, these first plots were as symbolic as they were practical, affirming the Museum’s belief that history should be experienced through all the senses. These gardens quickly became beloved features of the site, seeding the idea that there was much more potential to explore.
By 1986, the Museum’s vision had matured into a more structured programme of interpretation. Seeking expert guidance, the Museum enlisted the help of garden historian Dr Sylvia Landsberg. Renowned for her research into medieval and Tudor horticultural practices, Dr Landsberg was commissioned to design a historically accurate garden plan for Bayleaf Farmhouse – one of the site’s most iconic buildings. Her aim was not merely aesthetic; she sought to reflect the social, practical, and symbolic importance of gardens in the lives of those who once lived in such homes.
At around the same time, the Museum appointed its first dedicated Gardener, marking a milestone in its ongoing commitment to living history. Bob Holman, who already had experience in agriculture and horticulture, had been contributing to the site by planting woodland shaws and laying traditional hedges. Although unfamiliar with the specifics of medieval gardening, Bob embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Under Dr Landsberg’s mentorship, he began learning the intricacies of historic cultivation – from the layout of planting beds to the selection of herbs and vegetables appropriate to the late medieval and early Tudor periods.
Bob Holman soon became a central figure in the development of the Museum’s landscape interpretation. Over the years, he would go on to design and nurture many of the period gardens still visible today. His work brought depth and vitality to the site, turning it into a place where visitors could truly step into the rhythms of rural life in centuries past. When Bob retired in the early 2000s, his work was taken up by Carlotta Holt, who brought new energy and direction to the role, refining the interpretation and continuing the expansion of the Museum’s gardens.
Carlotta and her team have continued to explore a broad historical timespan through the Museum’s gardens – from the late 15th century to the early 20th century. The gardens are curated not only to reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of different periods, but also their culinary, medicinal, and agricultural practices. Each garden becomes a teaching tool, bringing to life the otherwise invisible aspects of domestic life: cooking herbs, medicinal plants, flax for linen, or fruit trees and hops for brewing.
These efforts have always relied on the enthusiasm and expertise of volunteers. From weeding and watering to researching heirloom species and assisting with interpretation, this team of green-thumbed history lovers has played an indispensable role. Their work helps ensure that each garden remains an evolving, interactive exhibit—a space that grows and changes with the seasons while preserving the integrity of the past.
By 1995, additional gardens had been established around the Toll House and the house from Walderton, both relocated to the Museum site. The late 1990s brought further expansion: Whittaker’s Cottage and Poplar Cottage were re-erected, each accompanied by a garden designed to mirror the landscape their inhabitants would have tended. These spaces don’t just complement the architecture – they complete it.
Some sites presented greater challenges. Pendean Farmhouse, set at the top of a hill in shade and on poor soil, demanded creative solutions and ongoing experimentation. In contrast, Tindalls Cottage does not feature a formal garden, but the curtilage has been demarcated and planted with elements like fruit trees, a small hop patch, and a sheep paddock to reflect the mixed use of rural land.
Today, six main gardens grace the Museum’s site, each representing different regions, time periods, and household types – from the modest cottage to the yeoman’s farmhouse. At the heart of these gardens is a commitment to heritage varieties – plants that closely resemble those grown in earlier times. Where feasible, these older cultivars are chosen for their historicity, even though they often pose considerable challenges. Unlike modern hybrids bred for size, yield, and pest resistance, heritage crops can be smaller, more fragile, and inconsistent. But they also tend to be more flavourful, diverse, and true to the domestic lives we are striving to reflect.
In some cases, modern equivalents must be substituted. These are selected carefully for their resemblance to the original varieties, maintaining, as much as possible, the visual and educational integrity of the gardens. This delicate balancing act between authenticity and practicality is part of what makes the Museum’s gardens so compelling. They are not static displays – they are living experiments in historical interpretation.
The Museum’s gardens also serve broader purposes. They contribute to biodiversity and habitat creation across the site, supporting native pollinators and wildlife. Composting, rainwater use, and crop rotation are all employed as sustainable practices, mirroring both historical methods and contemporary ecological awareness. In this way, the past and present enrich one another.
We also see the gardens as a bridge between our visitors and the people of the past. Workshops, school programmes, and seasonal events offer opportunities for hands-on learning – whether it’s making herbal salves, understanding medieval crop cycles, or identifying edible wild plants. Through this, our gardens foster not just appreciation, but participation.
Every garden on the Museum grounds is a living archive. They evolve with the weather, with new research, and with the hands of those who care for them. Yet they remain rooted in their purpose: to offer a tangible, sensory window into the everyday realities of the past. Whether you’re admiring a flourishing row of leeks or catching the scent of lavender on a summer breeze, you are engaging with history in the most immediate and memorable way.
The gardens are a quiet yet powerful reminder that history is not confined to documents or display cases. It lives in the earth, in the cycles of planting and harvest, and in the enduring relationship between humans and the land they call home.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, slow down, and embrace the peace and beauty that this museum has to offer. Whether you spend an afternoon exploring the historic homes, participating in a workshop, or simply sitting quietly in nature, you are sure to leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and reconnected with the world around you.
For more information on upcoming events, workshops, and visitor details, visit our What’s On page!
