The award-winning Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits and is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections. Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing wholemeal stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens, farm livestock and a working Tudor kitchen. The schools service welcomes over 25,000 schoolchildren a year for workshops and teacher led visits covering all aspects of the curriculum.
Rescued from destruction, the buildings have been carefully dismantled, conserved and rebuilt to their original form and bring to life the homes, farmsteads and rural industries of the last 500 years. Wander through these exhibits at your leisure - a majestic timber framed farmhouse from Kent; a striking market hall from Hampshire; a Victorian school; a medieval shop; carpenters, plumbers and brickmakers workshops; barns; a granary and a tread wheel from the South Downs. Many of the interiors have been furnished, recreating the way the buildings were used by their owners centuries ago: seven historic gardens show the herbs, vegetables and flowers grown to meet the needs of rural households from medieval to Victorian times. See bread, pottage and sweetmeats being prepared in the working Tudor kitchen, you may even be invited to sample the results! Pause at the working water mill where stone ground flour is produced daily, experience a recreated Tudor farm, enjoy a picnic by the millpond or a walk in the woods. Delight in the company of our rare and traditional breeds of farm livestock - working horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. See traditional farming in action and heavy horses at work. Demonstrators regularly show their skills and everyone you meet will be happy to talk about how people lived and worked. Discover the skills of the early carpenters, find out about traditional building techniques and learn how we help to conserve rural crafts. Hens peck in the straw, woolly faced sheep chew the downland grass and Shire horses work in the fields. Enjoy the rhythm of the traditional countryside and unspoilt landscape. For a complete contrast visit the Downland Gridshell, the museum's workshop and store for supporting collections - in an amazing award-winning architectural tour de force, the first timber gridshell in Britain. Tours daily at 1.30pm. Children will enjoy the freedom to roam in safety and gain hands-on experience of the museums buildings, gardens and animals.
The Museum's beautiful downland setting makes a fitting backdrop to this colourful celebration of Gypsy culture.
School trips are also welcomed to which the day aims to give maximum exposure to Gypsy culture including the journey, dance and music, to give children an awareness of the social and logistical achievements made, and difficulties faced, by Gypsies throughout history up to and including the present day.
Experience the 'Gypsy Journey', Gypsy Encampment, Traditional Wagons, Step-dancers and workshops, Accordionist /Singers /Melodeonist, Raconteurs, Gypsy Food, Horse Fair, Fortune Teller, Flower Making, Book Stalls, Historic Photo Displays, Living Album Exhibition, Talks on Gypsy life, Paella and Tapas and much more!
General information (Tel) : 01243 811348
General information (Fax) : 01243 811475
E-mail : office@wealddown.co.uk
The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum Web Site
Open
Open throughout the year, winter opening times vary, call or see website for details. (Please also check the Upcoming Events Calender here)
Closed
3 January to 16 February closed Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri. Closed 24 & 25 December 2007
Admission charges
Adults £8.25
OAPs £7.25
Children £4.40
Family £22.65
Group adult rate £6.65
Group child £2.70
Discounts
English Heritage
Museums Association
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