Weald & Downland Living Museum
@WealddownMuseum
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Living museum with over 50 historic buildings, rescued & carefully rebuilt on a 40-acre site within the beautiful South Downs National Park.
West Sussex, UK
Joined June 2010
We have taken the decision close the Museum due to the adverse weather, as we need to put the health and safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors first. The Museum will be closed on today, Saturday 7th December. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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Tree Dressing honours the cultural, spiritual, and practical importance of trees. Rooted in traditions, it blends ancient customs with modern practices, creating a unique festival, connecting communities and nature. Read more in our latest blog article:
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The Tudors were no strangers to enjoying a good cake, and here at Weald & Downland Living Museum, we strive to relive these traditions in the most authentic way possible! Here's a cake we made for our Tudor Wedding celebration earlier this year! #wdlm #nationalcakeday
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Victorians shaped Christmas as a family holiday with traditions like decorated trees, Christmas crackers, and carols. Dickens’ 'A Christmas Carol' promoted generosity, while Christmas Day gift-giving and Boxing Day for servants became key. Read more:
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Step into historic Advent traditions this week at Weald & Downland Living Museum! From 26–28 Nov, explore Yeoman farming, natural dyeing & Tudor winter prep. On 1 Dec, join Tree Dressing, see 17th-century mince pies, Advent cooking, & rushlight demos.
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Tudor Christmases were grand, featuring masked plays, 'disguisings,' and the ‘Cushion Dance,’ beloved by Elizabeth I. Sweet treats dazzled, while lavish gift-giving reflected the Tudor flair for ceremony, shaping festive traditions to come. Read more:
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Join us for our Annual Tree Dressing next Sunday, 1 Dec! Celebrate the ancient custom honouring the life-giving power of trees, inspired by Green Man legends. Fun for all the family! Find out more: #wdlm #tradition #history #treedressing #ritualyear
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Anglo-Saxon Christmas was marked by fasting and charity. King Alfred expanded feasting, granting holidays from Christmas to Twelfth Night for rest and celebration. The word "Christmas" itself, 'Cristesmæsse', reflects these early traditions. Read more:
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Last few tickets available for Needle Felting Christmas Decorations workshop! You'll be guided through the basics of needle felting to produce colourful Christmas decorations to take home. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience. Book now!
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Advent was a time of fasting and preparation, starting after Martinmas. At Weald & Downland, we reflect this tradition with food preservation, wreath-making, and home preparations - saving decorations for Christmas Day! Read more:
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A big thank you to all the traders who were set to attend this weekend’s event! We appreciate all your hard work. Visit our website for a list of traders as featured in our programme, and support them by checking out their websites! Find it here!
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Due to the weather this weekend, the Museum will be closed on both Saturday and Sunday, 23rd & 24th November. We look forward to seeing you again on Monday!
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We have made the difficult decision to cancel the Advent & Christmas Market scheduled for 23 & 24 November at the Weald & Downland Living Museum, due to the forecast of severe winds and heavy rain this weekend. All ticket holders will receive an email from the Museum.
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Sol Invictus? Saturnalia? Where did Christmas come from? Were its origins pagan? Is the holiday dedicated to the birth of Christ, the second-most important date in the Christian calendar, a holiday rooted in paganism? Find out in our latest blog post!
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From Anglo-Saxon feasts to Victorian Christmas trees, traditions are rooted in history. At Weald & Downland Living Museum, we celebrate Christmas in the most traditional ways possible - shaped by thousands of years. Find out more in our latest blog post!
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Join us for this week's adventure! Explore building materials, demo wattle & daub, and try building a wall yourself. Make puppet characters, enjoy a snack and storytime, and play What's the Time, Mr. Wolf! Hands-on fun awaits - don't miss it!
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Step into history this week! See Tudor winter prep, Yeoman farming, 16th-century knitting, sewing, and dyeing demos! Note: early closure at 1pm on Friday. Join us this weekend for the Advent & Christmas Market with stalls, music, crafts, donkeys, and Green Father Christmas!
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In the Georgian era, hearths became more efficient with coal-burning fireplaces and chimneys. This shift from wood to coal created smaller, cleaner hearths and led to private spaces like parlours and studies, setting the stage for Victorian-era, individualised home designs.
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In Anglo-Saxon England, the hearth was central to life, symbolising warmth, family, and protection. It was believed to house spirits or gods and was a space for storytelling and rituals. As Christianity spread, it evolved from a pagan symbol to one of Christian family values.
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This weekend, discover natural dyeing with Jo and Andy Shorter on Saturday in the House from Walderton. On Sunday, watch 16th-century sewing demos and see our Winkhurst Kitchen volunteers salt meat as they prep for winter—an essential skill of the past. Don’t miss it!
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