Amberley is a 36-acre open air museum set in the midst of the beautiful South Downs in West
Sussex. It is next to Amberley railway station in the Arun River valley, not far from the
historic town of Arundel. With its historic buildings, working exhibits and demonstrations the
Museum aims to show how science, technology and industry have affected peoples' lives.
Amberley Museum was established in 1979 to preserve the rapidly disappearing industrial
history of the south east. Since that time the museum has developed into a major education
and research centre, as well as providing an interesting and educational day out.
Today the museum houses a number of important collections, supported by libraries and
archives. The museum is also home to six self-employed craftsmen who earn their living
while demonstrating their craft to the visitors. Every day craftsmen are working, other
demonstrations take place and exhibits are in operation. A vintage bus and narrow gauge
railway take visitors around the site.
The Museum of Roads and Roadmaking was established at Amberley in 1995 with assistance
from the Worshipful Company of Paviors. The Museum tells the story of road construction
and maintenance from the earliest times to the present day through impressive exhibits and
displays (see the Amberley Museum's website). The Paviors Company continues to support the
Museum and has a Museum Advisory Committee that meets regularly with the Museum’s
Curator, trustees and members of staff. It is through the good offices of Amberley Museum
and their volunteer staff that the Company has been able to have the use of a steam traction
engine or steam-roller to pull the Paviors’ float in the Lord Mayors Show, an annual event
that attracts a massive audience and extensive TV coverage. Further developments are
planned for the improvement and display of artefacts in the Roadmaking Museum to enhance
visitors’ experience.