AboutBritain.com Logo

Weald and Downland Open Air Museum



At the heart of the Museum's collection are over 45 historic homes, farms and workplaces that have been rescued from destruction and restored as far as possible to their original form.

The houses range from a tiny 13th century flint cottage to a pair of timber-framed Victorian agricultural labourers' cottages from the 1860s.

Medieval Farmstead

Other houses include Bayleaf medieval farmstead, a wonderful example of a timber-framed hall-house from the early 15th century, a toll cottage built for a new turnpike road in 1807 at Beeding Sussex and Walderton Cottage, dating originally from medieval times but demonstrating "modernisation" to a 17th century building.

Many of the houses contain reproduction period furniture and furnishings and the tools and utensils of everyday life. There are seven period gardens which demonstrate the development of ordinary household gardens between 1430 and 1895. Period vegetables, flowers and herbs are grown.

Victorian Schoolroom

The Museum also features farm buildings including barns, a granary, cattle sheds and a stable. Among the places of work featured are a 17th century watermill, a market hall, carpenters shop, working smithy, Victorian schoolroom and a working Tudor kitchen.

The Downland Gridshell is the Museum's conservation centre and home to its collection of rural artefacts.

This spectacular structure was runner-up for the Stirling prize and can be viewed by tour daily. Private research visits may be arranged, please telephone.

Special events are held throughout the year, call or see the website for details.

General Information:

  • Café
  • Gift and bookshop
  • Woodland crafts
  • School and adult education programme
  • Dogs on lead
  • Please phone for details of disabled access

Share this article





More Pictures


Directions

By Bus: No 60 from Chichester or Midhurst.
By Car: off A286 Chichester to Midhurst road.
Chichester 7 miles, Haslemere 15 miles.


Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Postcode for SatNav: PO18 0EU

Contact

 
Tel:
+44 (0)1243 811 348
Web:



Copyright © 1999-2025 Excelsior Information Systems Ltd. All rights reserved.
About Us  Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Index  Site Map  Contact Us

Made with Responsive Grid System by Graham Miller