Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft

Situated in the South Downs National Park, Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft focuses on the artists and craftspeople who made Ditchling a creative hub in the 20th century. The museum has a frequently changing programme of exhibitions and displays alongside a growing permanent collection. The site is home to a nationally important collection of artefacts made by the craftspeople who lived in the village, such as typographer and sculptor Eric Gill, designer of the London Underground font Edward Johnston and printer Hilary Pepler. The fabulous shop and café are nestled in the restored 18th-century Cart Lodge. Browse bespoke items, beautiful books, prints, cards, jewellery, ceramics and gifts or enjoy special teas and coffees and a slice of delicious locally-made cake. Entrance to the Cart Lodge is free. The site was originally founded by sisters Hilary and Joanna Bourne in 1985 as a place to display their collection of local artworks, but in 2012 a £2.3 million grant from HLF and other donors paved the way for a major renovation project. Designed by by Adam Richards Architects, the new space offers views out over Ditchling, allowing the works to be set against the backdrop of where they were created. The collection has also been refocused to provide a comprehensive account of the village's artistic heritage, leading the museum to be described as 'an unmissable stop on the Sussex art trail'.