The Weald & Downland Living Museum

Jan & John Maggs Antiques

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We’re all fascinated by graveyards: the secrets they hold, the bits of history they record, and the magical feeling that surrounds us as we enter a sacred space.
There is a special place in the south of England that evokes in us these same feelings as it immerses us in another time.

Imagine for a moment a graveyard not for people from the distant past, but for their homes, their farms, and the shops of their villages.
Next, imagine that means were provided for the rescue, restoration and preservation of ancient buildings destined for demolition in the cause of progress.
Now, imagine that you are in England’s beautiful and historic southwest, on a magnificent spring day.

You have just imagined the Weald & Downland Living Museum,
where visitors walk along narrow earthen paths amid more than 50 historic buildings,
each of which has been dismantled,
transported to the museum,
and re-assembled on site, using traditional tools and methods.

This special place is feast for the eyes and the mind.
Here are a few pictures taken on our recent visit.

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The Market Square: Market Hall from Tichfield, Hampshire; Upper Hall from Crawley, Sussex; Medieval House from North Cray, Kent

Inside the Medieval House

The Market Hall

Upstairs in the Market Hall

Medieval shop from Horsham, Sussex

Bayleaf Tudor Farmstead from Cowfold (only 6 miles from The Royal Oak in Wineham)

Bayleaf Farmstead

A small shop near the Market Square

The museum is a working farm,

with Sussex Light hens roaming free

sheep of all ages basking in the sunlight,

several types of ordinary duck,

and an occasional highly motivated duck.

Oxen occupy this field for most of each day.

Shadows begin to lengthen,

and it's time to end our visit.

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