Exploring Historic Craftsmanship: A Day at the Weald and Downland Living Museum

Having completed the RIBA Advanced Conservation Course last year, I recently attended a RIBA South Conservation Group training day at the Weald and Downland Living Museum. The focus of the day was on the care and repair of historic brickwork, alongside the dating and interpretation of timber-framed buildings.

Set within a remarkable open-air museum of over 50 rescued historic and working buildings, the setting itself was both inspiring and informative. The site is thoughtfully organised into rural, village and townscapes, with the surrounding landscape helping to illustrate the evolution of everyday life and construction over time.

The training day was specifically designed for architects working with historic structures and centred on two fundamental building materials: brick and timber. The morning session deepened our understanding of how to assess, specify and repair historic brickwork. It explored appropriate materials, traditional techniques, and the importance of conservation-led decision-making in maintaining the integrity of older buildings.

In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to explore the museum’s collection of timber-framed buildings in more detail. This hands-on session allowed us to identify key characteristics, understand methods of construction, and learn how to date structures by interpreting their development and alterations over time.

It was a hugely valuable and engaging day, reinforcing how much can be learned from close observation and an understanding of traditional building techniques. I would highly recommend a visit to the museum—not only for those working in conservation, but for anyone interested in how buildings have evolved, from simple vernacular forms to more refined and sophisticated structures as knowledge and craftsmanship developed.

If you'd like to discuss your historic property Contact Karenna Wilford Architects to discuss how we can help you.