Amberley Museum — Attraction in Horsham

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 most of all, lime! Burning chalk to get out lime to create limestone. You can see old buses from the early 20th century, the restoration of these very, very old vehicles is brilliant, never seen a tram type vehicle from the 20s until today, or a late 20s bus looking almost new!

They have the history of communication in a whole building, you learn about phones through the years, right from the first Bell phone examples, right through to semi modern cell phones, how an exchange works, both human operated and fully electronic. Whilst covid is restricting seeing the items in operation, you get a great idea of how they work. There is also an electric museum exhibition, showcasing everything from 19th century fuse boxes (they are huge), to modern fuse boxes (tiny in comparison), you find out how some electric is made, what products were around in certain era's, very early examples of dish washers, microwave ovens and a fantastic slogan. "Don't kill your wife with work! Let electricity do it!" Guys don't start plugging the wife into a mains socket, doesn't do the electric bill any good! Hehe!! There is even a vacuum cleaner that will not fit in the under stairs cupboard, it has its own trailer!!

There is a printing press, the history of tools of the trade, woodworkers, a nature trail, and a nice clean cafe and restaurant too for those drinks and food half way through a day!! If you like a bit of history with a good deal of interesting knowledge thrown in. Book up to come, you will not be disappointed !! For 15.50 including gift aid donation, it's brilliant...

You feel you’ve stepped back in time at this wonderfully British tourist attraction of mostly historic machinery, electronics, tools, communications and historic life. Covering home electronics through the ages, scientific inventions, vehicles and mechanical developments it will certainly appeal to the engineering minded - the late Fred Dibnah would’ve been in his element here, especially with the rolling steam engines. The various onsite pottery, marble and woodworking workshops and facilities allow a hands-on experiences / classes. The saw mill and grind stone did remind me of a Skyrim scene, whilst some of the old fashioned safety notices of Fallout 3 humour! Some exhibits have interacting push button activation involvement to demonstrate scientific principles. There can be live demonstrations of working practices, and these vary depending on which volunteers are on that day etc. Fans of the book Bo££ocks to Alton Towers the profanity edited here) are catered for amiably, as you’ll be unexpectedly entertained by all sorts at the museum, and also specifically with the various mannequin scenes depicting working life through the ages from historic firefighting, telecoms, and historic domestic life. Many a caption competition awaits with fun for all the family! If you liked the book’s attractions, Amberley Museum is a must see attraction. The museum also has themed days with additional contents or entertainment (such as a 1980s weekend, specific historic vehicle displays, James Bond day, etc), which are popular and add further appeal and value for money in the ticket price. There is simply too much to do justice in a short review, but with such a swathe of things to see, we found the day passed before we knew it (and before we saw everything!) The site is nice, with a meandering walk through the pleasant grounds, in and outdoor elements, and even a nature trail despite the obvious industrial history of the site. It’s next to the train station for ideal access (which also attracts a discount). When was the last time you saw a place like this, there aren’t many around so well...

Our first visit...and what a visit it was! We absolutely adored it 💖 all the staff were so friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. So keen to share their interests with us. Such an amazing father's day spent there. Will tell all our friends!! Edit I just found myself thinking again about the day and do wanted to say a bit more! I had totally not mentioned the amazing AMAZING hands on museums at the end of the steam railway ride. Which lets face it...a steam railway ride is already fantastic! But as we hadn't read any of the info given to us at the beginning (thanks tragic traffic for making us late and then daughter had travel sickness in the back of the car...arriving a little later than planned and completely rattled!) we found the three fantastic museums. We spent absolutely ages in each, given we were with children aged between 2 and nearly 8, I think it is a feat! So much information and given in a way that is informative and looks fab for both small kids and big! The workshop area was also so gorgeous. We had a great chat and demo from the woodworking chap, purchasing some gorgeous 'flowers'. Amberley museum also probably the only place in the country where you can buy meaningful and eco friendly souvenirs for £1 or less. The print workshop is crammed with such gorgeous things to look at and buy. We stocked up on a pack of crafting paper and little notebooks for train journeys or restaurant visits for the kids to draw in. Honestly, the whole day was just so wholesome and phenomenal. I can't thank you enough for being such a brilliant museum. A bit far for us to be your newest and best customers (which we totally would if closer!!) but as a destination for special occasions or in the school holidays... we can't wait to...