Few people today think of the south-east of England as the home of heavy industry and yet, not so long ago, the beautiful South Downs provided a natural abundance of materials from pits, mines and quarries. Valuable minerals such as fuller's earth, sand, gravel, clay and chalk, all vital to the construction industry, were in plentiful supply.
From the 1840s to the 1960s, chalk was quarried and burnt in the kilns at Amberley to make lime for mortar, decorating and agricultural use. In 1876 John Pepper and his son, Thomas Cunningham Pepper, took over from several small producers in the area and by the turn of the century, they were the only producers on the site, which was ideally located to take advantage of road, railway and river transport.
From the 1840s to the 1960s, chalk was quarried and burnt in the kilns at Amberley to make lime for mortar, decorating and agricultural use. In 1876 John Pepper and his son, Thomas Cunningham Pepper, took over from several small producers in the area and by the turn of the century, they were the only producers on the site, which was ideally located to take advantage of road, railway and river transport.
Services
Travel back in time and explore the South's working past in a 36 acre former quarry and limeworks, located in the heart of the South Downs National Park. With over 40 exhibit areas to discover, including a narrow-gauge railway, historic buses, rural crafts and extensive communications displays, there is something for everyone.
All tickets, including for Members, must be pre-booked online. This is so that we can control numbers and so we have details of those visiting in case this information is required by NHS Test & Trace. There are four 1-hour booking slots for arrivals each day: 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Once in the Museum, you can stay as long as you like until we close at 4.30pm.
We are on the B2139 between Storrington and Arundel in West Sussex. Our free car park is next to Amberley Station. There is a height restriction of 2.25m (7.3ft) in our main car park. Should you wish to visit in a vehicle higher than this, please contact the office on 01798 831370 in advance so that we can arrange for the height barrier to be opened for you.
Amberley Museum is a great place for groups with 36 acres of history to explore. We offer packages for self-led tours and an option for pre-booked refreshments in the Limeburners Caf. Coach parking is available with a large free car park on hardstanding adjacent to Amberley Rail Station. As Package One, plus a hot drink and cake in the Limeburners Caf for each paying member of your party.
We've introduced measures to help keep everybody safe including protective screens at the till and hand sanitiser is available on entry. We prefer card payments, contactless whenever possible. We serve hot and cold drinks, hot food at lunchtime, freshly made sandwiches/baguettes, hot pasties and sausage rolls, cakes, crisps, ice creams and confectionery.
Reviews (10)
Matt
Dec 24, 2021
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Paul Longden
Oct 26, 2021
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36 acres of amazing and fascinating exhibits and friendly volunteers / staff make this a must see museum.
Allow ½ - 1 day to visit.
Good facilities: plenty of car parking, a yummy cafe, toilets and a historic train or bus to help you get around the site.
Excellent value for money compared with other large / outdoor museums.
Allow ½ - 1 day to visit.
Good facilities: plenty of car parking, a yummy cafe, toilets and a historic train or bus to help you get around the site.
Excellent value for money compared with other large / outdoor museums.
David Ware
Oct 25, 2021
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Lovely day out in the autumn sunshine. It was like stepping back in time viewing some of the exhibits. Several were interactive with push buttons to operate. In the absence of any children the adults were busy playing. The staff and volunteers were brought the visit to life with their enthusiasm and knowledge.
Derek Lyons
Sep 20, 2021
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An amazing place with great staff, vintage buses,working train. Barns which have ZORIN's carriages used in James Bond's A VIEW TO A KILL . Nice cafe and bar too. Highly recommended.
I was invited as a special guest along with Terence Mountain from OHMSS .
This was for a celebration of James Bond and A VIEW TO A KILL.
Valerie ,Graham and Peter really looked after us very well.
Derek
I was invited as a special guest along with Terence Mountain from OHMSS .
This was for a celebration of James Bond and A VIEW TO A KILL.
Valerie ,Graham and Peter really looked after us very well.
Derek
John Carey
Sep 13, 2021
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A fantastic working museum. On first look it seems like a couple of hours walking around some buildings etc, it's not, it's bigger and much better than that! It's a whole day off exploring!
It has a narrow gauge railway to jump on and off as you please through 3 stations. OK the middle station doesn't offer much but it does have an old waiting room that's been moved from an old station and rebuilt on the platform, it looks like it has been there all along, beautifully restored to its former glory!
The site is history of many forms of history, industrial, electrical, communication, transport and
It has a narrow gauge railway to jump on and off as you please through 3 stations. OK the middle station doesn't offer much but it does have an old waiting room that's been moved from an old station and rebuilt on the platform, it looks like it has been there all along, beautifully restored to its former glory!
The site is history of many forms of history, industrial, electrical, communication, transport and
Trevor Weeks
Aug 31, 2021
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Lee Murray
Aug 10, 2021
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A friend and I attended Amberley Museum for a classic car show they were holding. We started that day with a very nice breakfast in the restaurant before going around the grounds. The very nice added bonus was being able to also see the museum as we went. On the grounds, there is a Classic bus to take you up to the top of the grounds. This meant that we were able to walk back towards the entrance/exit.
The grounds and attractions were well maintained and presented in a great manner. At times you could be forgiven for forgetting what period you were in. Our interactions with the staff were great
The grounds and attractions were well maintained and presented in a great manner. At times you could be forgiven for forgetting what period you were in. Our interactions with the staff were great
Lucy Dunsmure
Aug 07, 2021
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A wonderful place with plenty of outdoor space showcasing a wide variety of skills and craft. Enjoy trips down memory lane into our social history of electricity, communications, tv and radio, limekilns, potteries, a blacksmiths and printers. Enjoy being transported by old buses, trams and a little train around the site. Lunch and teas in a large cafe with plenty of outside space too. Well worth a trip for old and young alike
J.
Jul 10, 2021
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A wonderful escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Everyone incredibly friendly and there is so much to do to cover a spectrum of interests for everyone. From the printing workshop, to the exhibition's and steam train, it makes for a delightful day out.
There is a large cafe with an outdoor terrace overlooking a glorious field with some local residents (sheep!) going about their business!
Fully Accessible loos both near the entrance and in the cafe.
There is a large cafe with an outdoor terrace overlooking a glorious field with some local residents (sheep!) going about their business!
Fully Accessible loos both near the entrance and in the cafe.
Abigail Smith
Jun 22, 2021
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A fabulous day out! So much to see and do. We spent six hours here and still didn't manage to see everything!
The little train and the old open top bus are great and journeys are free so you can go as many times as you like.
Loads of picnic tables dotted about and also a very nice cafe. Great choice of food and very reasonable prices.
Really clean toilets. Nice little shop. Beautiful, if exhausting, nature trails but worth the effort for the views over the countryside.
Thoroughly recommend.
The little train and the old open top bus are great and journeys are free so you can go as many times as you like.
Loads of picnic tables dotted about and also a very nice cafe. Great choice of food and very reasonable prices.
Really clean toilets. Nice little shop. Beautiful, if exhausting, nature trails but worth the effort for the views over the countryside.
Thoroughly recommend.
