TIMED perfectly to help work off that Christmas pud and to provide a special festive outing in that lull period between Christmas and New Year is an event at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum.
Visitors to the museum at Singleton, near Chichester, will already know of its charms, set on a picturesque downland site and home to 50 historic buildings.
But it really comes into its own at this time of year, with the atmospheric houses trimmed for Christmas, log fires burning at the farmhouse and festive treats available to sample.
For three days, from December 26-28, the traditionally decorated houses, where holly and ivy take pride of place, will reflect the spirit of the season at the Experience Christmas Through the Ages event.
Period music and historical demonstrations will bring history to life so visitors can discover how our rural ancestors celebrated yuletide from medieval to Edwardian times.
The hall of the 15th century Bayleaf Farmhouse will be dressed with spendid greenery and boast a table laid for a yeoman farmer’s Christmas.
In Winkhurst Tudor kitchen, cooks will demonstrate a variety of seasonal food and drink, including Christmas mincemeat pies and enriched bread.
Tasters will be on offer subject to availability.
Pendean farmhouse, built in 1609, will be decorated to reflect Christmas in early Stuart England with a warming yule log, traditional greenery again and indoor games.
In Poplar Cottage visitors can learn about the time when the Puritans cancelled Christmas during Cromwell’s Commonwealth.
Museum director Richard Pailthorpe said:?“Christmas is a wonderful time to visit the museum and view our collection of historic houses. The museum’s downland setting has a magical atmosphere of its own at Christmas.”
The museum is open daily until December 22, and opens for the Christmas event from December 26-28, and then daily during the festive season until January 1, 2016. For more information visit www.wealddown.co.uk