Vernacular architecture groups

We work closely with neighbouring organisations that are active in vernacular architecture and archaeology:

• In Surrey, we are partners with the county’s Domestic Buildings Research Group. We have begun adding our own Wealden records to Surrey's pioneering Building Archaeology Research Database (BARD). 
• Our neighbour in Kent is the Kent Archaeological Society which also studies historic buildings.
• In Hampshire, the Hampshire Field Club and Archaeological Society has an active Historic Buildings Section, and the County Council maintains a searchable Archaeology and Historic Buildings Record.
• Over 800 iron-making sites have been identified by the Wealden Iron Research Group with whom we have strong links. In the 16th and early 17th centuries the Weald was the most important iron-producing area in Britain, thriving on local ore and timber for charcoal.
• Many of our members are members of the national Vernacular Architecture Group which serves all those interested in lesser traditional buildings.
• The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings provides expert advice on the care and repair of old buildings, and runs excellent courses for homeowners and professionals.

Groups in other regions include:

• Essex Historic Buildings Group
• Oxfordshire Buildings Record
• Somerset Vernacular Building Research Group
• Norfolk Historic Buildings Group Published studies include New Buckenham and Tacolneston, South Norfolk, and Rural Schools and Schooling in Norfolk c.1800–1944. Current studies include aspects of church architecture, and projects on Little Walsingham and Hempnall.

Sites relating to specific building types:

• Oast and Hop Kilns is a site by Patrick Grattan, it provides details of these building types from across the UK including their usage and varying design.

Bayleaf farmstead was built in the early 15th century in the Low Weald at Chiddingstone, Kent. Now it is at the Weald & Downland Museum, Singleton, near Chichester.Weald & Downland Living Museum

We have longstanding links with the Weald and Downland Living Museum at Singleton, near Chichester. One of our founder members, Roy Armstrong, also pioneered the foundation of the Museum in the 1960s.

The Weald & Downland now contains many fine examples of buildings that of the dates, materials, techniques and craftsmanship that encompass all of the Group's interests.

It is a national centre of research and presentation of the interpretation of vernacular buildings.

Archaeology groups

• The Sussex Archaeological Society began in 1846 and is the oldest such society in England.
• And the Council for British Archaeology has a South East regional group.