Festival to bring history to life at museum

A Sussex museum is giving members of the public the chance to travel back in time at an immersive history festival.
DM17526645a.jpg Living History Festival Weald and Downland Living Museum. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-170406-153451008DM17526645a.jpg Living History Festival Weald and Downland Living Museum. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-170406-153451008
DM17526645a.jpg Living History Festival Weald and Downland Living Museum. Photo by Derek Martin SUS-170406-153451008

The Living History Festival at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, Singleton, will take visitors on a journey through a millennia of English history from Saxon times to the 20th century.

Historical experiences will be brought to life by hundreds of the UK’s leading costumed re-enactors at the event from June 2 to June 3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Acting events manager Liz de Bruijn-Willis said: “After the success of last year’s inaugural show, we are excited that the Living History Festival is now a firm fixture in the Museum’s calendar each June.

“The event sees over 200 costumed re-enactors head to the Museum for a fantastic weekend, where over 1,000 years of history in south east England is brought to life through encampments and also our collection of rescued rural buildings.

“The medieval joust is hugely popular, and visitors can walk through a Saxon camp, a Tudor market and dodge the Victorian pickpockets in the market square before meeting the WWII Fire Department encampment.”

This year’s show will also feature the centenary celebrations of the British Percheron Horse Society, which will be bringing 30 horses to take part in re-enactments of British history.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Modern uses of the draft horses, including showing, riding and farm work, will be shown to spectators of the society’s display.

Along with the packed timetable of demonstrations, there will food and drink to taste and military drills to watch against the backdrop of the museum’s 40-acre site of rescued rural buildings.

The festival will take place on the weekend of June 2 and June 3 from 10.30am to 5pm. Regular museum entry prices apply and access to the festival is included.

Families are welcome, including dogs on leads, and there is plenty of free parking in overflow car park fields.

Related topics: