Weald & Downland Living Museum

Set in the heart of the South Downs National Park near Chichester, the Weald & Downland Living Museum is a unique, open-air museum showcasing over 1,000 years of rural history. Spread across 40 acres of rolling countryside, this award-winning site features more than 50 rescued and reconstructed historic buildings, surrounded by traditional gardens, woodland, farm animals and craft workshops.

🏠 Step Inside the Past

Explore an unrivalled collection of historic homes, workplaces and public buildings, ranging from an Anglo-Saxon hall house to a working 17th-century watermill. Each building tells the story of the people who once lived and worked in it, giving you an immersive window into everyday life from centuries past.

🛠️ Traditional Crafts & Skills

Watch skilled craftspeople at work with regular demonstrations of blacksmithing, baking, spinning, woodworking and more. The museum also runs courses in rural trades, historic building conservation, and countryside skills throughout the year.

🌿 Gardens & Nature

Stroll through beautifully kept heritage gardens, filled with plants used for food, medicine and dyeing. You’ll also meet traditional breeds of sheep, chickens and horses that would have been a common sight in historic farmyards.

🎭 Events, Courses & Family Activities

With a packed calendar of seasonal events, hands-on school programmes and heritage skills workshops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy – from harvest celebrations and open-air theatre to festive markets.

☕ Museum Café & Shop

Relax in the museum’s café, which serves hot and cold drinks, homemade cakes, soups and lunches made with local ingredients. The gift shop stocks a lovely selection of books, crafts, toys and heritage gifts.