15 October 2024
Keeping a Good Table: Food in the 16th Century
When you think of food from the 1500s, you probably head straight for the images of whole-roasted swans, pigs with apples in their mouths or feast tables laden with more…
11 October 2024
A Victorian Deep Clean
Learning from the Past to Clean the Present Deep cleaning is often a job we dread as comfortable moderns; even with all our foamy soaps and vacuum cleaners. But here…
2 October 2024
A New Archive Facility
We have embarked on an ambitious project to digitally archive our vast collection of photographic slides and historic materials. This ongoing work aims to preserve our rich history while making…
25 September 2024
Threshing: The final stage of harvest
For our ancestors, the harvest was not just a period of gathering crops—it was the lifeline that ensured survival through the harsh winter months. The harvest season was the pinnacle…
25 September 2024
Tudor Clothing – Dressing for the day ahead
Imagine waking up before dawn on a beautiful midsummer's day in the 16th century. The air is cool, and there’s a full day of work ahead or a trip to…
22 September 2024
Celebrating Michaelmas
Here at the Museum, we put great emphasis on preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of traditions that have defined our historic rural communities for centuries. Among these customs is…
9 September 2024
Meet the Maker: Jo Munford
The weekend of the 14-15 September 2024 at the Weald & Downland Living Museum is dedicated to the importance of preserving the crafts and traditions from our history. Alongside our…
9 September 2024
Meet the Maker: Jackie Smith
At Weald & Downland Living Museum we are committed to preserving the skills of the past for future generations. Over the weekend of the 14-15 September we will be inviting…
2 September 2024
Meet the Maker: Paul Henry Kilts
Continuing the tradition of heritage crafts is an important part of our work at Weald & Downland Living Museum. A considerable amount of heritage crafts are at risk of being…
7 August 2024
The Art of Hair Lacing in the 16th Century
In the 16th century, hair lacing was an essential part of a woman's daily routine. It was not simply for aesthetics, but also a practice steeped in religious, moral, and…
31 July 2024
Lammas Fayre
Preserving the historic traditions and seasonal celebrations of rural communities is what the Weald & Downland Living Museum is all about. One historically important seasonal milestone is the summer celebration…
26 July 2024
Harvest Season Begins
Our harvest season began on Friday 18 July, with Working Animal Supervisor Andy Robinson leading the way, alongside his team of four Percheron horses. Many staff and volunteers also gave…
