The Museum's social history collection comprises documents, photographs, books and artefacts relating to the history of the parish of Ditchling. This includes the archive of Ditchling Horticultural Society, established in 1822, and a collection of material on North End School, later Dumbrell's School. Material is held on local families, historic buildings and village societies.
Researching and Telling the History of DitchlingThe History Project was set up by Ditchling Museum Friends' Association in 1999. Volunteers support the museum by studying, researching and collecting the social history of the parish of Ditchling. This information is made available through publications, museum displays, talks and guided walks and through our local history database. Part of this research is to record the oral histories of members of the community, including those associated with the artists and craftsmen.
Ditchling History Project’s display is based on research and recording that has been carried out in St Margaret’s Churchyard over the past four years. In 2005, concerned at the deterioration of some of the headstones, and knowing how many visitors to the Museum wanted help finding particular gravestones, members of Ditchling History Project set out to update the existing list of Monumental Inscriptions.
The decision was made to transcribe the inscriptions in full and to include a description of the type of memorial as a means of helping to locate specific graves. Memorials were photographed to record condition. The updated list is available in the museum for visitors searching for family graves.
The churchyard in Ditchling contains significant examples of work by the stone-carvers Eric Gill and Joseph Cribb who lived in Ditchling in the early part of the twentieth century.
Stories of the men on the Ditchling War Memorial
£10 plus £2 postage and packing
The Listed Buildings of Ditchling
Price £10.00 plus £2.00 postage + packing
A Self-Sufficient Community
Price £10.00 plus £2.00 postage + packing
War time memories of local people including Dame Vera Lynn
Price £10.00 plus £2.00 postage + packing
A collection of A5 occasional papers showing how the determined efforts of villagers have preserved this downland village and retained a spirit of community. Titles include The Village Hall, The Village Green, The Recreation Ground, The War Memorial, The Scout Headquarters, Ditchling Allotments, The Southdown Estate, Francis Collins Norton.
Price £2.50 plus £1 postage and packaging
A self guided walk rich with anecdote and social history takes you on a fascinating journey through Ditchling's past, meeting the people who have shaped the village we know today, including the many artists and craftsman who made Ditchling their home.
Price £4.00 + £1.00 postage & packing (Eur + £2.00 p&p; USA + £3.50 p&p)
Local research can sometimes supplement information held at the County Record Offices such as Parish Records and Census returns.
East Sussex Record Office online
West Sussex Record Office online
Monumental Inscriptions in the churchyard have been transcribed into a document which is available by appointment for consultation to help locate a particular grave. Some of the Ditchling craftsmen are buried in the churchyard or cemetery where lettering by Gill, Cribb and others can be seen.
All enquiries should be made in writing or by email to:
Ditchling History Project,
Ditchling Museum,
Church Lane,
Ditchling
BN6 8TB
or email
If a visit to the museum is planned in connection with family history research this should be booked in advance.
Please note that members of the Ditchling History Project are volunteers who are only able to deal with enquiries in their own free time.
If you are interested in joining the group, or are researching some aspect of local history yourself, you can contact us at the above address.
