Set in 50 acres of beautiful Sussex countryside is a very special place to wander amongst a fascinating collection of nearly 50 historic buildings dating from the 13th to the 19th century, many with period gardens, together with farm animals, woodland walks and a picturesque lake.
The Museum is situated 7 miles north of Chichester,
Rescued from destruction, the buildings have been carefully dismantled, conserved and rebuilt to their original form and bring to life the homes, farmsteads and rural industries of the last 500 years.
Wander through these exhibits at your leisure - a majestic timber framed farmhouse from Kent; a striking market hall from Hampshire; a Victorian school; a medieval shop; carpenters, plumbers and brickmakers workshops; barns; a granary and a tread wheel from the South Downs.
Many of the interiors have been furnished, recreating the way the buildings were used by their owners centuries ago: seven historic gardens show the herbs, vegetables and flowers grown to meet the needs of rural households from medieval to Victorian times..
See bread, pottage and sweetmeats being prepared in the working Tudor kitchen, you may even be invited to sample the results!
Pause at the working water mill where stone ground flour is produced daily, experience a recreated Tudor farm, enjoy a picnic by the millpond or a walk in the woods. Delight in the company of our rare and traditional breeds of farm livestock - working horses, cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. See traditional farming in action and heavy horses at work.
Demonstrators regularly show their skills and everyone you meet will be happy to talk about how people lived and worked. Discover the skills of the early carpenters, find out about traditional building techniquesand learn how we help to conserve rural crafts.
Hens peck in the straw, woolly faced sheep chew the downland grass and Shire horses work in the fields. Enjoy the rhythm of the traditional countryside and unspoilt landscape.
For a complete contrast visit the Downland Gridshell, the Museum's workshop and store for supporting collections - in an amazing award-winning architectural tour de force, the first timber gridshell in
Children will enjoy the freedom to roam in safety and gain hands-on experience of the Museums buildings, gardens and animals.
AUTUMN HALF TERM ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
FARMING IN THE FIELD
22-30 October 2005
Hands on creative seasonal autumn activities for accompanied children. Enjoy the harvest theme with our 'Grain to Bread' activities; join the nationwide Big Draw and make harvest banners. Activities include Sowing, Threshing, Winnowing, Bread Making, Apple Bobbing, Mini-scarecrows, Vegetable Faces, Corn Dollies, Meet the Pigs and Thatching.
For further information telephone 01243 811348.
Please wear clothing suitable for playing outdoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
