Description:

Mothers, grandmothers and their families are all invited to enjoy the wonderful exhibits and beautiful downland scenery at England’s leading museum of historic buildings on Mothering Sunday, 14 March. The Museum at Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex, has a long tradition of presenting mothers and grandmothers with a complimentary bunch of daffodils on their special day, and in recent years has also introduced a special discounted entry price which represents a substantial saving on the usual ticket price.

For just £2, visitors can enjoy the ‘Open House’ at the Museum, which is set in the heart of the new South Downs National Park. They can explore over 45 original historic buildings that have been rescued from destruction and carefully reconstructed on the 50-acre site, representing the homes, farms and workplaces of the south east over the last 500 years. Several of the houses are complete with carefully researched period gardens, and the site also includes fields, woodland walks and a lakeside café.

Visitors will discover the latest developments at the nationally-acclaimed Museum and will be able to find details of the varied events programme planned for 2010, which is the Museum’s 40th Anniversary Year. A Ruby theme will run throughout the year, with many events and activities planned. The highlight of the celebrations will be a special weekend over the 4 and 5 September, which will be a fun and activity-packed two days with something for all the family. Other events during the year range from children’s holiday activities, to music and dance, traditional countryside shows, seasonal celebrations, and an exciting summer steam festival.

On Mothering Sunday, as well as enjoying the historic buildings, visitors will be able to see the traditional breed farm animals, newborn lambs, Shire horses and working cattle. They will be able to visit the authentic Tudor kitchen and the working 17th century watermill, and feed the hungry ducks on the millpond! Visitors can also find out about the Museum’s courses in Historic Building Conservation and a range of Rural Trades and Crafts, a number of which will be demonstrated around the site.

Cathy Clark, Marketing Officer at the Museum commented: “Our Open House is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy the Museum and the South Downs in springtime. First time visitors, and those more familiar with the Museum, will find much to discover, including details of all our 2010 events in this our Ruby Anniversary Year.”

The Museum is open on Mothering Sunday from 10.30am to 4pm. It is open on Wednesdays and weekends until the end of February. From 1 March it is open daily. Opening hours are 10.30am to 6pm during British Summer Time, and 10.30 to 4pm during the rest of the year. Normal admission prices for 2010 are adults £9, over 60s £8.15, children £4.80, family £24.75, under 5’s free.