Throughout the year, the Weald & Downland Living Museum in Chichester gives visitors the chance to learn about rural life in the South East of England from 950AD to the 19 th Century. Through its collection of historic buildings and demonstrations that reflect the seasons and ritual year, visitors get to see, hear, taste and smell what life was really like during this period of time.
This festive season, the Museum will offer visitors a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of Christmas traditions through the ages, from Anglo-Saxon feasts to the traditions of the Victorian era.
Traditions Through Time
The word ‘Christmas’ comes from the Old English, Cristesmæsse and we owe a lot of our Christmas traditions to the Anglo-Saxons. Christmas, as enjoyed today, is a mosaic of ancient beliefs and family customs which is reflected at the Museum. Rather than the modern flurry of tinsel and presents, visitors will get to discover how Christmas has slowly evolved through time and can learn about
ancient customs such as Advent fasting and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which were as much about surviving the winter months as they were celebrating the season.
Christmas Highlights at the Museum
Over the next month, visitors to the Museum can enjoy immersive activities and demonstrations, revealing historical preparations for the winter season. Highlights include:
- Tree Dressing (Sunday 1 December): Join this annual tradition, honouring the life-giving essence of trees with performances and processions, rooted in ancient customs.
- Advent Cookery Demonstrations (Monday 2 December & Thursday 19 December): Discover historical culinary techniques in the Winkhurst Tudor Kitchen, including the making of marchpane for Christmas.
- Feasting Preparations (Sunday 22 December): Experience the rich flavours and customs of a Tudor Christmas as the Museum’s experts showcase traditional cooking for the Twelve Days of Christmas.
- Twelfth Night Celebration Meal (Sunday 5 January): Celebrate Twelfth Night in Bayleaf Farmstead. See the house come to life as the interpretation team spends the morning getting the house ready for their annual celebration.
(Please note demonstrations and activities at the Museum vary daily and are subject to change)
Every visit to the Weald and Downland Living Museum is a step back into history, enhanced by daily demonstrations and activities inspired by the era's seasonal activities. Supported by passionate volunteers and historical experts, the Museum offers a vibrant gateway to the past. Join in the spirit of the season and honour the stories, customs, and magic that shaped the Christmas we now cherish.
For more details about Weald and Downland Living Museums activities, visit the Museum’s website.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For further information and photographs contact: Rachel Soothill, BrightWord PR, 07974108796,
Rachel@brightword.co.uk
Background information
Weald and Downland Living Museum is an independent museum, which means it is entirely self- funded and independent of core government funding. Funds are required to conserve the historic buildings and artefacts on site and these come from visitors, members and Museum supporters.
Located in the heart of the South Downs National Park, the award-winning Weald and Downland Living Museum has over 50 historic building exhibits and is designated for the importance of its collections.
Exhibits include a medieval farmstead; a working watermill producing stoneground flour; exhibitions focusing on traditional building techniques and agriculture; historic gardens; farm livestock and a
working Tudor kitchen. The Museum runs a well-established schools programme and an award- winning adult learning programme of courses in building conservation and rural crafts. The café uses
the Museum’s flour and the shop stocks flour, gifts and books. The modern Downland Gridshell houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection; there is a regular tour at 2.00pm and an appointments system for research visits to the collections.