Winter Wassailing at the Museum
Organised by : Weald and Downland Living Museum
Come and bless the Museums orchard and celebrate this joyful winter tradition of Wassailing! Join us on Sunday, 18 January for a lively day of music, song, and celebration, as we raise our voices to ensure a bountiful apple harvest in the year ahead.
Join the Procession
Take part in a festive Wassail procession starting from the green by the crossroads below Tindalls Cottage. Led by musicians and performers, each group will travel to the orchard at Bayleaf Farmstead for the Wassail ceremony.
- Procession times: 11.15am · 1.00pm · 2.45pm
- (Duration approx. 30 minutes)
In the orchard, well decorate an apple tree and take part in the traditional blessing ceremony, using bread, salt, and mulled apple juice. Guests are invited to shout the age-old call of Wassail! and make as much noise as possible to chase away evil spirits and bring good health to the orchard.
Bring something to make noise!
Rattles, bells, tin cans or whistles anything that adds to the merry clamour!
Also, as part of our Wassailing celebrations, our interpretation team will be at home in the Bayleaf Farmhouse, where the Wassail procession will knock on the door to share the Wassail drink in celebration before moving onto the Museum orchard.
At the end of the procession, our team will then be inviting visitors to come into the Bayleaf Farmhouse and join them around the fire for an immersive atmosphere. The team will be enjoying their own wassail celebration, where you can sit and chat with them and ask questions around the celebration and day to day life in the 16th century.
A Fun, Family-Friendly Celebration
This event is perfect for families, music lovers, and anyone who enjoys experiencing living history and English folklore. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and we recommend warm clothing and sturdy footwear.
Details of the days activities will be available in the daily programme on arrival.