Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
Singleton Chichester West Sussex. PO18 0EU
call: 01243 811348
email:
office@wealddown.co.uk
website:
www.wealddown.co.uk
  For
a fascinating day out, visit England’s leading Museum of historic
buildings and traditional rural life, the Weald & Downland open air
museum. Over 45 original buildings have been
rescued from destruction and rebuilt in a beautiful 50 acre parkland
setting, bringing to life the homes, farms and workplaces of the south
east over the past 500 years. Watch the Shire horses at work; visit the
medieval farmstead, working Tudor kitchen and 17th century working water mill;
enjoy a picnic by the millpond or a walk in the woods;
relax by the lakeside; visit the café or picnic on many quiet spots around
the site. Join the daily tour of the new Downland Gridshell, home to the
Museum’s conservation centre and extensive collection of rural artifacts.
The enchanting atmosphere and the historic collections mean that it’s a
great day out for all the family at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
in Singleton, West Sussex.
Special events are held
throughout the year at the Weald and Downland open air museum, with hands-on children’s activities every
half term and weekly during the summer holidays.
Easter at the Museum
Fri 10 – Mon 13 April
Activities and Easter celebrations for all the family over
the holiday weekend, with a bonnet competition and parade on Monday. The school
holidays from Sat 4 to Sun 19 April are a delightful time to visit, with spring
in the air, newborn lambs, horses at work on seasonal tasks, and a ‘Woodyard
Week’ of timber-related demonstrations.
Food and Farming Fair
Sun 3 – Mon 4 May
A wonderful choice of quality fare to sample and buy from
the local producers of the south east, plus tastings, cookery classes,
demonstrations and children’s activities. Around 80 stands will feature a
stunning array of produce, from wines, sauces, ciders and beers to meat, cheese,
ice cream, cakes and confectionery: all located in and among the historic
buildings on the Museum’s site. The Food Fair will also feature displays,
demonstrations and activities celebrating many aspects of downland farming.
Spring into Action! Half Term activities
Mon 25 – Fri 29 May
Come and enjoy springtime in the countryside! Learn about
the natural world with trails, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts using natural
materials, and a host of outdoor games. For accompanied children of all ages,
from 11am – 4pm, under cover if wet.
Heavy Horse and Working
Animals Show
Sat 30 – Sun 31 May
One of the south’s biggest gatherings
of heavy horses: two unforgettable days of displays, demonstrations of horses at
work on traditional tasks, and a parade of horses at the end of each day, all
with continuous ringside commentary.
And new for 2009, the Show will focus on many other working animals, with a
number of fascinating displays showcasing a wide variety of animals in action.
Fathers Day
Sun 21 June
Toys For The Boys! A chance for dad (and the rest of the
family!) to try some unusual and challenging countryside activities. Sample some
of the Museum’s courses in traditional rural trades and crafts, drive a vintage
tractor and work with the Shire horses.
Early Music Afternoon
Sun 12 July from 2pm – 6pm
Song and dance from medieval, Tudor and Stuart times in the
wonderful setting of our historic buildings. Come just to listen or join in the
dancing!
Rare Breeds Show
Sun 19 July
Four legs, furry legs, feathered legs…come and get up close
to over 500 cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry in this delightful
agricultural show for rare and traditional breeds of farm animals. With prizes
at stake, and classes for young handlers, it’s one of the biggest shows of its
kind in the south east and hugely popular with visitors and exhibitors alike.
Plus craft and trade stands with a countryside theme.
Wonderful Wednesdays
Wed 29 July – Wed 26 August
Hands-on activities to
occupy children of all ages! Have a go at all kinds of interesting and unusual
country skills, crafts, activities and games: many similar to those enjoyed by
our rural ancestors. From 11am to 4pm, under cover if wet.
Steam Festival
Sat 15 – Sun 16 August
Celebrate the importance of the age of steam, with steam engines on display and
demonstrating the kind of work around the Museum’s site for which they were
originally designed. With steam rollers, steam lorries, model boats, miniature
railways and engines, and the ever-popular steam-powered carousel gallopers. The
sights of the engines and the sound of the music will awaken memories for many
and open doors of discovery for younger visitors! Plus trade stands to browse
and buy.
Music at the Museum
Sat 29 August
An open-air evening concert for all the family
in the Museum’s delightful setting: come early and bring a picnic! (Separate
ticket required.)
Will at the Weald
Sun 30 August
An entertaining evening of
open-air theatre, featuring a rich variety of great Shakespeare scenes,
performed by a professional cast in full costume. Great for an evening picnic
with the Bard! (Separate ticket required.)
Autumn Countryside Show
Sat 10 – Sun 11 October
Come and experience all the sights, sounds and smells of the
countryside at harvest time. At this beautiful time of year, enjoy heavy horses
ploughing, vintage tractors, steam threshing, falconry, a fun Dog Show, and many
other demonstrations and displays of traditional rural crafts and skills. There
will also be a Wood Show, and a chance to browse and buy for early Christmas
presents with a countryside theme at the many craft and trade stands.
Autumn Adventures Half
Term activities
Mon 26 – Fri 30 October
Wickedly wonderful seasonal activities, fun and farming for
accompanied children of all ages! Make a mini scarecrow; carve a really scary
pumpkin; and enjoy arts, crafts and much more. Activities from 11am – 4pm, under
cover if wet.
Christmas Market
Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November
Find that perfect gift or treat at a
traditional Christmas market, set in and around our historic buildings. Dozens
of stalls with arts, crafts, food, unusual gifts and much more. Avoid the
parking charges and congestion in town! Admission only £2.50, including access
to all Museum exhibits.
Tree Dressing
Sun 6 December 12.30 – 4pm
A wonderful celebration for all the family of the
life-giving properties of trees. Make a lantern (bring a jam jar!), and join the
procession to dress the trees as darkness falls. Plus headdress making, story
telling, music, dance and seasonal tasty treats.
A Sussex Christmas
Sat 26 Dec – Fri 1 Jan 2010
Experience the
traditions of Christmas past and discover how our ancestors enjoyed the Festive
Season. Walk off the Christmas pud as you enjoy our traditionally decorated
houses with their crackling log fires, with many decorated for Christmas in the
style of the period when they were originally built. Also enjoy a variety of
festive fare, music and stories from Tudor to Victorian times. Come and enjoy a
truly merry Sussex Christmas in our beautiful downland setting.
The Museum is Open Throughout The Year
The
Museum is open daily throughout the year. April - Oct daily 10.30am to 6.00 pm
Winter Opening
For Winter opening hours, please see
our website www.wealddown.co.uk
telephone 01243 811348
Christmas/New
Year Opening
Times vary so please contact us for
more accurate opening time information.
Admission
Prices
Adult £8.95
Over 60s £7.95
Child £4.70
Family (2+3) £24.25
Under 5s free
Registered disabled and carer £2.00 each
Car parking Free
Location: Off A286 in Singleton, on
Chichester to Midhurst road in West Sussex.
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