What’s on in Sussex: South Downs living museum has a packed programme for 2024 – save the dates

You are invited to step back in time at this living museum to learn about life in the past – and pick up useful skills for today
Ad Feature by Weald & Downland Museum
Published 12th Jan 2024, 12:24 BST
Learn from the past, with events to delight gardeners, historians, crafters, DIY enthusiasts and more at this living museum. Supplied pictureLearn from the past, with events to delight gardeners, historians, crafters, DIY enthusiasts and more at this living museum. Supplied picture
Learn from the past, with events to delight gardeners, historians, crafters, DIY enthusiasts and more at this living museum. Supplied picture

Weald & Downland Living Museum has an exciting new programme of events lined up for 2024

Founded in 1970, the award-winning Weald & Downland Living Museum is a unique outdoor attraction that offers visitors a first-hand glimpse into rural living over the centuries.

Set over 40 acres in the South Downs National Park, the Museum is home to a collection of 50 historic buildings dating from 950AD to the 19th century. Re-erected from their original sites in southeast England, they include homes and farmsteads as well as a working mill, bakehouse, forge and dairy. There are also six historic gardens and a wide range of traditional trades and crafts to discover, in addition to an extensive learning programme.

Immerse yourself in medieval times, learn the history and properties of plants or master an historic craft. Supplied pictureImmerse yourself in medieval times, learn the history and properties of plants or master an historic craft. Supplied picture
Immerse yourself in medieval times, learn the history and properties of plants or master an historic craft. Supplied picture

Discover more

This year they are hosting a variety of interpretation weekends to showcase different aspects of rural working life, bringing the past into the present so visitors can learn from our ancestors.

On the 6-7 April, they will be hosting their ‘Get Thrifty’ weekend. From make do and mend, to upcycling and swapping, visitors can find out how people in the past reduced waste, saved money and turned unwanted items into something useful.

For those interested in gardening and botanicals, on 22-23 June the Museum will celebrate the power of plants and flowers. Over this weekend, visitors can discover the history behind the use of plants and herbs in our diets and around our homes, from health and wellbeing to language and colours.

Looking for tips on how to live more sustainably? Supplied pictureLooking for tips on how to live more sustainably? Supplied picture
Looking for tips on how to live more sustainably? Supplied picture

On the 3 - 4 August, there will be an immersive experience as the Black Knight Historical Group help to bring Medieval history to life. Join is as they bless the First Fruits of Harvest with a traditional medieval fayre around the Museum’s Market Square.

Going into Autumn on the 14 - 15 September, the Museum will host its popular Made by Hand: Heritage Crafts and Skills Weekend. With many heritage crafts at risk of being lost forever, visitors can explore crafts and skills from the past and learn about how these can be conserved for our future.

On the 12 - 13 October, there will be a new Hedgerows and Harvest Weekend. Hedgerows are a crucial factor in the existence of many plants and animals, and over the weekend there will be opportunities to learn about the diversity of the plants and insects that rely on them to survive.

The year will end with the Museum’s annual Tree Dressing celebration in December.

You can find out more on their website at wealddown.co.uk

Related topics:South DownsSussexMuseumEngland