Autumn Countryside Show
10.30am - 5.00pm
Experience the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside at harvest time!
Visitors to our Autumn Countryside Show on 10 and 11 October will experience the wonderful autumnal sights and sounds of a traditional harvest. This popular seasonal show features traditional working demonstrations, including heavy horses and vintage tractors ploughing, steam-powered threshing, plus a Horticultural Show, woodland and rural craft demonstrations, displays and competitions.
The Museum's 40-acre downland site is the perfect location for this annual festival, which celebrates and showcases many traditional countryside activities. Working plough horses are a favourite with visitors of all ages, with our own Shires among the teams of draught horses at work. Vintage tractors will be busy preparing the ground for sowing after the harvest and there will be a display of tractors and farm implements for visitors to enjoy. The weekend's celebrations will also include a fun dog show, dog displays and falconry, and a chance for visitors to enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride (weather dependant – for a small donation).
Steam-threshing demonstrations
The threshing of the wheat crop – separating the grain from the straw – is one of the main attractions during the weekend. In the days before combine harvesters, the 'threshing train' was a common sight – working the farms and travelling the lanes during the autumn and winter months. It usually comprised a steam traction engine, threshing drum, elevator, and living van used by the engine driver and his mate.
Annual Horticultural Show
The 6th annual Horticultural Show will take place as part of the show, with classes to suit all ages, ranging from vegetables to woodwork, marmalade to miniature gardens. Alongside the class entries will be displays from local clubs, societies and the Museum's gardening team, plus traditional craft demonstrations. Entry forms can be accessed online here.
Opening hours
The Museum is open for the Autumn Countryside Show on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, from 10.30am – 5pm. Regular Museum entry charges apply, which include admission to the Autumn Countryside Show.
The Museum's café kiosk will be open, plus there are indoor and outdoor picnic areas. Food stands at the event will include hot dogs, burgers, a hog roast, crepes, artisan breads, pies, seafood and much more! Visitors can also enjoy a pint of bitter and cider from the the bars on site.
Dogs on short leads are welcome and there is ample free parking.