For School groups of all ages.

The Museum has a recreated Medieval/Tudor farmstead with traditional livestock and rare breeds to show visitors what animals might have looked like at this period.

• Tamworth pigs

• Shire horses

• Sussex cattle

• Southdown sheep

• Geese

• Light Sussex chickens 

The livestock can be found in the farmyards around Bayleaf or in the surrounding fields.  The Museum has a stockman who can offer occasional sessions on the use of livestock focusing on the horses with a harnessing demonstration, if available. 

Volunteers are regularly available at the Museum stables to talk to school groups about the shire horses.  Please check their availability if you are specifically interested in a session on the horses.  

Museum volunteers can offer 45 minutes sessions on traditional farming based on Medieval/Tudor or Victorian agriculture for groups of 15. 

Medieval/Tudor Farming

The farmyard also has a Tudor barn dated to 1536 with replica farming equipment on show including a medieval cart, harrow and threshing equipment such as flail and winnowing basket. 

The session would include a look at livestock and their uses in a Tudor farmstead and the Tudor farming year for arable crops ending in Cowfold threshing barn with an opportunity for some children to try out using a flail or the winnowing basket.  Threshing the harvested crop was carried out in the barn where the sheaves were laid on the threshing floor between the opposed doors and the grain beaten out of the ears using flails.  These consisted of two poles of wood, the beater having a thicker end, joined by a thong of leather.  The grain was separated from the chaff using a winnowing basket, the design of which changed little over the centuries. 

The Museum’s publication “Bayleaf Guide” contains extremely useful information on Medieval/Tudor farming and can be ordered through the Museum office or shop. 

Victorian Agriculture

A session of 45 minutes looking at Victorian farming equipment on display in the cattle sheds, lambing pens, shepherd’s hut and the working water mill.  The Museum also has a handling collection of dairy equipment and other agricultural tools, which can be included in this session.

Bookings

Please give a copy of this page to each group leader, and make them aware of the need for observing the safety issues outlined on the Information for Group Leaders.

Museum Risk Assessment