please empty your brain below
"...or maybe squeeze your entire family in beside an unsuspecting solo visitor and taint his ride."

No prizes for guessing who that solo visitor was.

Barry | 08.05.13 - 7:47 a.m. | #

Unfortunate that the solo visitor was not able to enjoy a solo ride on the narrow gauge railway on a sunny bank holiday Monday, but I expect a 36 acre museum needs a decent number of visitors to avoid it going out if business. Like the pub, perhaps.

Andrew | 08.05.13 - 8:00 a.m. | #

Which of the pubs is it, incidentally? There appear to be at least two others in the village and one in Houghton over the river.

Andrew | 08.05.13 - 8:11 a.m. | #

Should have thought to check the linked photos - if the Black Horse had closed, there should still be the Sportsman Inn and the Bridge Inn, no?

Andrew | 08.05.13 - 8:14 a.m. | #

Ah, Amberley... birthplace of a family catchphrase. Twenty-odd years ago I visited with my then-new partner and two small boys, who in the manner of small boys were running around making the most of the hands-on exhibits (including, I do believe, that very telephone in DG's photo). New Partner, unused to children, was very pained at this apparently unconstrained enjoyment of an educational opportunity. Stop fretting, I told him, they're enjoying themselves. 'Yes', he replied despondently, 'But they're not enjoying themselves in the proper fashion.' At which I burst out laughing, and a new catchphrase was born, to be trotted out whenever he became a pit po-faced about childish amusements.

Sarah | Homepage | 08.05.13 - 8:17 a.m. | #

There's hiper-hype!

Thank you for this most interesting post. It's now firmly on my list of things to do.

Caravelle | 08.05.13 - 8:23 a.m. | #

I preferred its previous name of the Chalk Pits Museum. I could drag unknowing relatives to a museum with a very uninspiring name and see their pleasant and unexpected surprise when they realise how much there was to do there.

Pedantic of Purley | 08.05.13 - 8:36 a.m. | #

When did you start wearing your underpants on your head? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Antipodean | 08.05.13 - 9:30 a.m. | #

You said you put in some phrases to hook specific members of your audience. I was attracted by the mention of a Radio and Television exhibition, I have some similar models as they have on display in my own modest collection of vintage radios and televisions. (Mine still work too).
The electricity and printing displays also look interesting. I have past this museum site on the way to Bognor Regis by train several times. Seems I need to get of the train there next time.
I wonder if that old transport cafe on the museum site is open for meals.
If you want to see hundreds of old TV and radios telephones etc.next Sunday is the National Vintage Communication Fair at Warwick Exhibition Centre.

John | 08.05.13 - 10:25 a.m. | #

I don't think I've ever seen so many exclamation marks in a DG post!

Dominic H | 08.05.13 - 10:33 a.m. | #

Is the concrete museum still there? That caused my children great amusement when we visited about a dozen years ago -- especially the concrete canoe.

Alan Burkitt-Gray | 08.05.13 - 11:13 a.m. | #

I remember the BT museum in Blackfriars, which closed some time ago. I believe some or perhaps most of the exhibits came here

amber | 08.05.13 - 11:40 a.m. | #

Is there still a signalbox on Amberley station platform? There was when I visited last year. Proper bells and levers and polished brass plus an old armchair for the signalman who also sells tickets to intending passengers. Must be one of the last lines still signalled that way but not for long, I guess. Contrasts completely with fast electric trains whizzing through but really fits the station and surroundings.

Allan | 08.05.13 - 11:41 a.m. | #

Thanks DG. I have never heard of this place before. It is now on my "to visit" list.

Bernie | 08.05.13 - 12:05 p.m. | #

Not even one kitten?

swirlythingy | Homepage | 08.05.13 - 12:36 p.m. | #

Thank you for such an interesting post. I've gone on a few walks from Amberley station and seen the museum there but not visited before and wasn't really sure what was there. You've convinced me there is enough of interest to warrant a vist, thanks.

Jon Combe | 08.05.13 - 12:46 p.m. | #

Get your walking boots on and combine it with a visit to Bignor Roman Villa.

ip33 | 08.05.13 - 12:48 p.m. | #

Thanks for this post. I love the Amberley Museum and its a good reminder to go back there again soon.

They do good special events too.

Ian Brooker | 08.05.13 - 1:31 p.m. | #

We went last summer (on the one lovely sunny day!) with the dog (they're very welcoming to dogs) and the then 3 1/2 year old grandson. We loved it and the little lad was fascinated by the Roadmaking Museum, he couldn't get enough of the big machines and the funny old bikes. I wonder what he'll do when he grows up?! Amberley's a wonderful place.

Christine | 08.05.13 - 7:37 p.m. | #

@Amber - I used to love that little BT Museum at Blackfriars so I'm glad the exhibits have found a new home in somewhere just as good.

Whiff | 09.05.13 - 2:19 a.m. | #

Great place. I remember the concrete canoe.

If you go a bit later on in the year the grass throughout the site is stuffed with orchids.

Bronchitikat | 09.05.13 - 5:27 a.m. | #

Wow, bollards!!!

Janet F | Homepage | 09.05.13 - 10:18 a.m. | #











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