Weald & Downland Living Museum
Local highlightAn open-air museum near Singleton where dozens of rescued old buildings have been rebuilt across a downland valley, the Repair Shop barn among them
Dozens of historic buildings that would otherwise have been demolished have been taken apart, moved here and rebuilt across a valley in the South Downs near Singleton. This is a living museum, an open-air collection where old buildings are re-erected and shown much as they were used, with working demonstrations rather than glass cases. Timber-framed farmhouses, a working watermill, a market hall, labourers’ cottages and farm animals are spread over the site, and costumed staff often have fires lit and bread baking. The BBC’s Repair Shop is filmed in one of the old barns here, and the big modern gridshell workshop is a striking piece of architecture in its own right. Entry is ticketed and the site is largely outdoors, so pick a dry day and allow a few hours; there is a lake and plenty of room for children to roam. The Trundle hillfort and its views are a short way south.
