Special Holiday Opening at Willow Bank 28 & 29 September + 8 & 9 October | 10am–3pm We’re opening Willow Bank for a special school holiday treat! Follow our Holiday Trail around the village, searching for hidden letters and clues…
This system works on a similar principle to Bokashi, but on a much larger scale. Instead of using small airtight buckets, we use large, removable metal frames lined with plastic to create sealed fermentation bins. We use a dismantlable metal…
Our Equestrian Manure Worm Farm When we had donkeys, we built a large worm farm specifically to process their manure. It worked surprisingly well and gave us a simple way to turn a large amount of manure into beautiful, nutrient-rich…
We designed these wooden boxes to make growing microgreens and sprouts at home easy and natural. Step 1: Pre-Soak the Seeds Most seeds need to be pre-soaked before sowing. Soak them according to the instructions for the particular variety you…
PRINT YOUR OWN – A ONE-OF-A-KIND EXPERIENCE Ever wondered what it was like to print the old-fashioned way? Come and have a go on Willow Bank’s 1875 Albion Press and create something uniquely yours! Choose your design, write your own…
Sasha Morgenthaler (1893–1975) was a Swiss artist and dollmaker who created dolls with natural, lifelike expressions. Designed to inspire imagination rather than perfection, her dolls became internationally renowned for their quality, craftsmanship and timeless appeal. More information
A traditional Swiss Alpine carrying frame The Lastenkraxe was used by people in the Swiss Alps to carry goods, tools and supplies across mountain paths and steep terrain. This practical wooden frame allowed farmers and villagers to transport heavy loads…
Canton Flag A symbol of Switzerland’s regions Switzerland is made up of 26 cantons, each with its own flag and coat of arms. These flags represent the history, traditions and identity of each region. Alongside the Swiss national flag, canton…
Larven and Fasnacht – Switzerland’s Colourful Carnival Tradition Step into the fascinating world of Swiss Fasnacht, a centuries-old carnival tradition filled with music, masks, costumes, and community spirit. At the heart of this celebration are the mysterious and often imaginative…
From a lively Wedding Fair to a fully booked High Tea, June has been full of highlights at Willow Bank Heritage Village.
Willow Bank Heritage Village Open Days 2026–2027 Willow Bank Heritage Village Open Days are your chance to explore a living museum in Wakefield, near Nelson, featuring over 20 interactive heritage buildings and themed experiences. Visitors can step back in time…
Many old wooden clothes hangers have a wire hook that can slip down and become annoying to use. To solve this problem, I created the Fun Hanger. By sewing a face and arms onto the hanger, the wire is held…
A hand-painted mandala stone featuring colourful dot patterns arranged in concentric circles. Dot painting is a relaxing and creative craft suitable for all skill levels.
Make colourful paper beads from recycled paper and use them to create necklaces, bracelets, decorations, keyrings, and other unique craft projects. An easy and eco-friendly activity for children and adults alike.
Explore textures and patterns with pencil rubbing art. Place leaves, coins, or other textured objects beneath paper and gently rub with a pencil to reveal their shapes and details. Perfect for classrooms, homeschool projects, and rainy-day fun.
Create a fun hanging paper snake from coloured paper. This easy craft is ideal for children and makes a great decoration for bedrooms, classrooms, or nature-themed displays.
Turn a simple drawing into a stunning 3D artwork by adding colourful paper butterflies. This easy craft is fun for children and makes a lovely spring or nature-themed project.
Learn how to make beautiful ribbon flowers with this free PDF guide. Create brooches, hair accessories, or decorative pieces—perfect for handmade gifts and craft projects.
These printable paper dolls provide a creative activity for children. Simply download the PDF, colour the dolls and clothing, cut them out, and mix and match the outfits for hours of imaginative play. Perfect for rainy days, school holidays, or…
Wine cork crafts: Wine corks are an inexpensive and easy-to-find craft material that can be turned into charming decorations, fun toys, and unique handmade gifts. We offer a range of brand-new, high-quality natural corks.
The Willow Bank Heritage Village newsletter for May 2026 highlights a busy month filled with community visits, education programmes, and special events at the village. From our Apple Harvest Open Day to school experiences, May has been full of life…
Catch up on what’s been happening at Willow Bank — explore our April Highlights. Facebook
Willow Bank Heritage Village is celebrating Swiss National Day with a special open day full of heritage, culture, food, fun and interactive experiences. As a Swiss Kiwi family, this day is especially close to our hearts. Swiss National Day is…
Rice Omelet (Recipe from 1911) >>> New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14739, 22 July 1911, Page 6 (Supplement) Rice Omelet (Metric Version) Ingredients: For the omelet: 15 g butter 15 g flour 160 ml milk 120 g cooked rice…
Lamington Cake (Recipe from 1910) >>> Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 218, 21 September 1910, Page 5 Lamington Cake Recipe (Metric) 250g butter 375g flour 400g sugar 5 eggs (reserve 2 egg whites for icing) 250ml milk 1 tsp bicarbonate…
Lemon Buns (Recipe from 1903) >>> Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 113, 13 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement) Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll…
Italian Rolls (Recipe from 1897) >>> New Zealand Mail, Issue 1339, 28 October 1897, Page 16 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
Cookies (Recipe from 1903) >>> Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7437, 18 April 1903, Page 4 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish…
Regent's Sauce (Recipe from 1894) >>> Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2001, 22 June 1894, Page 4 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
Sandwich Cake (Recipe from 1910) >>> King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 249, 9 April 1910, Page 3 Sandwich Cake recipe converted to metric measurements: Ingredients (Metric): 113 g flour (quarter of a pound) 113 g sugar 1 large egg…
Sponge Roll (Recipe from 1908) >>> Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 277, 15 August 1908, Page 11 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
Chocolate Macaroons (Recipe from 1908) >>> Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 277, 15 August 1908, Page 11 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
Potato Puffs (Recipe from 1912) >>> Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 1791, 11 May 1912, Page 3 (Supplement) Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll…
Potato Fritters (Recipe from 1908) >>> Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 19, 22 January 1908, Page 8 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish…
Indian Chutney (Recipe from 1910) >>> King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 249, 9 April 1910, Page 3 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll…
To Avoid Domestics (Recipe from 1881) >>> Colonist, Volume XXV, Issue 2998, 1 November 1881, Page 3 Domestic Danger Signals.On the topic of managing things at home, I want to share a tip for avoiding family arguments, which I think…
Washing Whiter Clothes (Recipe from 1911) >>> New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14739, 22 July 1911, Page 6 (Supplement) Here is a modernized version of the instructions from the image: How to Whiten Clothes with Lemon in a wood-fired…
Copal Varnish for Shoes (Recipe from 1911) >>> New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14739, 22 July 1911, Page 6 (Supplement) >>> Copal varnish is a protective and decorative finish made from copal resin, a natural resin derived from trees…
Lunch Cakes (Recipe from 1911) >>> New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14739, 22 July 1911, Page 6 (Supplement) Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and…
Tea Cake (Recipe from 1897) >>> New Zealand Mail, Issue 1345, 9 December 1897, Page 12 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
Golden Sponge Cake (Recipe from 1907) >>> Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 289, 4 December 1907, Page 8 Here are the approximate quantities to try the recipe. You may find the sugar content in some of the old recipes too…
Concerning Cakes (Recipes from 1892) >>> New Zealand Mail, Issue 1053, 6 May 1892, Page 5 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
Bride's Cake (Recipe from 1907) >>> Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 289, 4 December 1907, Page 8 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish…
Ragout of Beef (Recipe from 1903) >>> Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 95, 22 April 1903, Page 2 (Supplement) Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and…
Baked Mince (Recipe from 1897) >>> New Zealand Mail, Issue 1316, 20 May 1897, Page 16 Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll publish it…
White Soup (Recipe from 1911) >>> New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14739, 22 July 1911, Page 6 (Supplement) Please let us know if you’ve tried this recipe and if it worked. Feel free to send us a photo, and…