Weald and Downland Open Air Museum

A trip back in time to visit some preserved old houses, generally saved from demolition, uprooted and rebuilt at this museum near Chichester, West Sussex.

21st February 2007

Somewhere that both Matt and myself had been previously. I visited many years ago, possibly in my early teenage years, when we were camping at a site in nearby Graffham. It was Dave's first visit and he enjoyed it. So glad it didn't rain on us today or I don't think this would have been a good choice for a day out. It was muddy underfoot but the sun was out. Quite pleased with some of my photos. I've even saved 4 of them to use as wall paper or in a screen saver. If you would like any copies of the originals, just let me know.

One of the attractions for us was the village which was used in the filming of a favourite series, The Tenth Kingdom.

'Pendean' Farmhouse from Midhurst, Sussex

This house is timber-framed and was built in 1609. In contrast to medieval houses, it has no open hall. Instead a brick chimney heats two of the ground floor rooms and one of the upper chambers. This revolutionary change in house planning took place in the mid 16th century. Pendean retains some medieval features such as unglazed windows.

Treadwheel from Catherington, Hampshire. The treadwheel was designed to raise water from a deep well. It is smaller than most donkey wheels and may have been driven by a man or boy. The wheel and its house probably date from the early 17th century.

Medieval Cottage from Hangleton, Sussex

This is a reconstruction of a flint cottage based on archaeological evidence obtained from excavation of the deserted medieval village of Hangleton.

The cottage was probably built in the 13th century and abandoned in the early 15th century. It has 2 rooms: the main room containing an open hearth and the inner room, which has an oven.

One of two calves. Cute but Matt says "you smell".

New born lambs, still shaky on their legs like Bambi.

'Bayleaf Farmstead' Wealden House from Chiddingstone, Kent

Bayleaf is a timber-framed hall-house dating mainly from the early 15th century. The open hall in the middle of the house is entered from the screens passage. Next to the passage are the buttery and pantry. At the other end of the hall a door gives access to stairs to an upper chamber known as the 'solar'.

This one even had a 'garderobe'. It looked very draughty!!

Geese on a stroll, seen from the window

The hall is heated by an open fire.

Dave found a chair that is supposed to be sat on like this.

He does this at home with the dining chairs occasionally.

'Poplar Cottage' from Washington, Sussex

The building was probably the home of a landless labourer and dates from the mid 17th century. It has a 'smoke bay', and early form of chimney.

The building on the right of the photo above is:

Market Hall from Titchfield, Hampshire

This building dates from 1620 and is typical of many maket halls built in the 16th and 17th centuries. At street level there is an open arcade where goods could be sold or stalls set up for licensed traders. The room on the first floor served as a town council chamber. Under the stairs leading to the chamber there is a 'cage' or lock-up for offenders.

School from West Wittering, Sussex

For some years before 1851 this building was used as a school for 'six poor children from the parish of West Wittering'.

It was financed and run by the Oliver Whitby Charity, which also ran the Bluecoat School in Chichester.

Medieval Shop from Horsham, Sussex

This 15th century building contains a pair of shops side by side, only one of which has access to the jettied upper chambers. At the back of each shop is an open hall or 'smoke' bay.

Windpump from Pevensey, Sussex

This wind-powered pump is a rare example of a once common machine. The centre-post carrying the windshaft and sails is hollow, and within it is an iron rod which transmits power to the water pumps below.

There is so much more to see than what I have taken pictures of. Worth a visit. Probably will go back again one day, maybe not in school holidays.