Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex, formally opened our uniquely reconstructed Anglo-Saxon building during a visit yesterday. Named the ‘House of Wessex’, the replica seventh century building has been painstakingly built over a period of two years with the help of experts and hundreds of volunteer days.
On Sunday 20th October, Sylva Foundation Foundation will be celebrating the completion of the reconstruction of the Anglo-Saxon ‘House of Wessex’ at the Sylva Wood Centre by holding a public open day.
A short time-lapse film showing master thatcher Alan Jones working on the complex rise in the thatch over the main door way of the House of Wessex
We had an amazing weekend at the Sylva Wood Centre with the raising of the timber frame for the House of Wessex. Enjoy this short timelapse film!
As part of our House of Wessex project, we’re excited to announce that our next public open weekend will take place during the first weekend of July. Watch the House of Wessex being constructed, plus have a go at Anglo-Saxon thatching, play traditional games, and see other traditional crafts on display.
During this unique timber-framing and raising course you will develop skills and knowledge in the making and raising of a timber-frame using traditional tools and techniques.
Learn about traditional and sustainable early thatching methods, including those to be used on the live reconstruction of the Anglo-Saxon, House of Wessex.
During this unique five-day treewrighting course you will learn and develop skills and knowledge in the making of a timber-frame using traditional tools and techniques.
Led by Damian Goodburn BA PhD, a leading archaeological woodwork specialist, this workshop will be held in our new purpose-built Education Barn at the Sylva Wood Centre. Learn about Anglo-Saxon building woodwork, based mainly on the study of surviving wooden remains, including a review of relatively new evidence, with live demonstrations of tools and techniques, and opportunities to watch treewrighting in action.
The House of Wessex is a unique reconstruction of an Anglo-Saxon house of significant importance in English history. The faithful reconstruction of the building, working with dozens of volunteers, and an associated programme of learning, is part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Sylva Foundation needs help to raise funds to realise the project’s full potential, and establish a legacy fund.