The Weald & Downland Living Museum is thrilled to announce an exciting calendar of activities for the upcoming Easter holidays. From 5th to 21st April, visitors are invited to join in with a variety of engaging and family-friendly events celebrating the history and traditions of Easter. Perfect for visitors of all ages, these events offer a mix of interactive experiences, educational workshops, and crafts.
Eco Easter Holiday Activities: until 21st April
- Join the Museum for an environmentally conscious Easter celebration that the whole family will enjoy. Take part in the Eco Easter Trail, hunt for decorations made from recycled materials, and make your own sustainable crafts at the woodland Eco Making Station.
- From 15th–17th April, try your hand at spring-themed creations, including making pom-pom South Downs sheep, origami animals, and compostable flowerpots to take home.
- Enjoy folklore storytelling sessions with Dawn Nelson or explore the Museum using nature bags, perfect for adventuring across the 40-acre site.
Easter Through the Ages: 12th to 13th April
Step back in time and experience how Easter traditions evolved through history. Visit the Museum’s historic homes to discover Easter customs from the Saxons, Tudors and Georgians.
- Meet the Herigeas Hundas Living History Group who will be bringing the Museum’s Saxon buildings to life with Easter celebrations.
- Join the Tudor Living History Group in Bayleaf Tudor Farmstead, as they show how the household would have prepared for Easter.
- See demonstrations on how Easter would have been celebrated in the 17th century in Pendean Farmhouse.
- See Georgian Easter celebrations at home in Tindall’s Cottage, where there will also be demonstrations on using homemade natural dyes to colour eggs for this most important Christian festival.
- Learn about Easter in Regency times in the Toll House from Beeding.
- Explore tastes through time in Whittaker’s Cottage and look at food and treats prepared for a Victorian Easter.
Easter Monday: Explore the Ritual Year – 21st April
Celebrate Easter with engaging demonstrations from the interpretation team in Bayleaf Farmstead. Learn how households would enjoy dairy and eggs after six weeks of Lenten fasting, and watch as they demonstrate fun-filled traditions including games, a celebratory meal, and maybe even a little dancing!
Explore the Museum
In addition to the planned Easter activities, the Weald & Downland Living Museum offers an abundance of opportunity for adventure around the extensive grounds:
- Stroll through the Museum’s collection of historic buildings to see how rural communities lived and worked through the centuries.
- Watch the Lurgashall Watermill in action and try hand-milling grain with a traditional quern.
- Meet the Bakers at the Newdigate Bakehouse and sample biscuits or bread, fresh from the oven (availability varies).
- Play traditional games like quoits or hoops at Hambrook Barn.
- See Tudor cooking in Winkhurst Kitchen, where hearty dishes are prepared over an open fire.
- Spot the Museum’s majestic Percheron horses and other farm animals as they assist with daily tasks around the site.
- Take a stroll through the woodland trail and learn about ancient woodland management.
The museum offers a delightful blend of history, hands-on activities, and scenic enjoyment—perfect for a memorable Easter outing.
Please note that daily activities and demonstrations may vary, so call ahead to plan your visit if there’s a specific activity you’d like to see. Visit the website to find out more.
