Marking the traditional beginning of the agricultural year, Plough Monday, observed on the first Monday after Epiphany, offers a vivid insight into England’s rural past. With roots stretching back to…
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Twelfth Night, the traditional end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, is a captivating and often overlooked celebration rooted in medieval English customs. With a legacy woven through centuries of…
As Tree Dressing Day draws near, it can be interesting to ask ourselves this question: have you ever looked at a tree and seen more than just wood and leaves?…
Advent calendars. They are everywhere at this time of year. From the classic chocolate ones in their various flavours and colours, to the more modern and inventive ones of tea,…
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…
When we think of Britain’s interwar years, we often picture the roaring twenties or the austerity of the thirties, but amid these decades of change, one of the most quietly…
When most people think of Halloween today, they imagine carved pumpkins, spooky costumes, and trick-or-treating. Yet beneath these modern trappings lies a much older tradition – a distinctly British story…
Michaelmas, the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, was one of the most important festivals in the medieval English calendar. Falling on the 29th of September, it marked both…
Culture is built on the practices and characteristics that make a place unique. For thousands of years and countless generations, humans have always crafted. Whether it be art or practical…
Nestled in the heart of the South Downs National Park, the Weald & Downland Living Museum tells the stories of rural life in South East England, not just through its…
As part of our collection here at the Museum, stands the Joiners’ Shop from Witley. While a fascinating building in its own right, the Joiners’ shop also gives us an…
Toys have long played a vital role in the lives of children, providing not only entertainment but also education, socialisation, and development. Across history, the materials, design, and purpose of…
