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Welcome to the
Rural Life
Living Museum

Bringing Our Rural Heritage To Life

Welcome to the
Rural Life
Living Museum

Bringing Our Rural Heritage To Life

Welcome to the
Rural Life
Living Museum

Bringing Our Rural Heritage To Life

Corona Virus- Update

We are now open!  Entry is by prebookable ticket only.  Click here to book.

Please be aware, that we require face masks to be worn in all of our museum buildings.

Our volunteers have been working extremely hard to get the museum ready for reopening and putting in place additional safety measures.  In order to manage the number of people onsite, we are introducing timed pre-booked entry please head to our Buy Tickets page to book.  We hope to see you at the museum very soon. 

If you have any questions about the reopening of the museum you may find the answers on our Reopening the Museum page.

If you are unable to visit the museum when we reopen but would still like to support us, we have opened a print shop here.  All images were taken at the museum by our onsite photographers and all profits go towards the upkeep of the museum.

Please note: The Old Kiln Light Railway will not be running until further notice.

Explore & Discover

Rural Life Living Museum - Our History

Our History

Learn how the museum started
Find Out More
Rural Life Living Museum - Exhibits

Our Exhibits

Find out more about our unique collection

Find Out More
Rural Life Living Museum - Schools and Education

Learning

Experience local heritage for all ages
Find Out More
Rural Life Living Museum - Craft Courses

Craft Courses

Experience our vanishing skills courses
Find Out More
Rural Life Living Museum - Venue Hire

Venue Hire

Events made special at the museum
Find Out More
Rural Life Living Museum - Annual Membership

Get Involved

Volunteer, support and donate
Find Out More

What’s On

PLEASE NOTE: Due to concerns about the spread of Corona Virus we have taken the decision to cancel some events. We will update the calendar when we know more.

The museum offers a full programme of events ranging from 1940s weekends to family friendly events, classic vehicle rallies and many more. With something happening on most weekends throughout the summer, it is worth keeping an eye on our diary to make sure you don’t miss out, please see details below.

  • Rural Life Living Museum - Families in the grounds
    13th August 2020 Perhaps have a go at milking Daisy the Cow, make and launch a rocket or have a ride on the train.  Little ones can often explore our child sized doll’s house and everyone can join in with arts and crafts. Sometimes you can even help out at the Victorian Laundry or assist the Home Guard... Fun for all the family during the holidays.  There's so much to do during Activity Thursdays! 20th February 9th & 16th April 28th May 23rd & 30th July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 29th October Activities may vary. Activities commence at 10.30am and run until approximately 4pm.  
    Family Day
    Find Out More
    13th Aug
  • Rural Life Living Museum - Families in the grounds
    20th August 2020 Perhaps have a go at milking Daisy the Cow, make and launch a rocket or have a ride on the train.  Little ones can often explore our child sized doll’s house and everyone can join in with arts and crafts. Sometimes you can even help out at the Victorian Laundry or assist the Home Guard... Fun for all the family during the holidays.  There's so much to do during Activity Thursdays! 20th February 9th & 16th April 28th May 23rd & 30th July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 29th October Activities may vary. Activities commence at 10.30am and run until approximately 4pm.  
    Family Day
    Find Out More
    20th Aug
  • Rural Life Living Museum - Families in the grounds
    27th August 2020 Perhaps have a go at milking Daisy the Cow, make and launch a rocket or have a ride on the train.  Little ones can often explore our child sized doll’s house and everyone can join in with arts and crafts. Sometimes you can even help out at the Victorian Laundry or assist the Home Guard... Fun for all the family during the holidays.  There's so much to do during Activity Thursdays! 20th February 9th & 16th April 28th May 23rd & 30th July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 29th October Activities may vary. Activities commence at 10.30am and run until approximately 4pm.  
    Family Day
    Find Out More
    27th Aug
  • Open Air Cinema
    SOLD OUT Open Air All Weather screening of American classic, Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Bring a picnic and enjoy this classic film in the beautiful surroundings of the Rural Life Living Museum. Doors open 7.30pm, film starts 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at £11 and are available by clicking here. Tickets are limited and prebooking is essential.  This film is classified 15 years and over.  Children under this age, will not be admitted.
    SOLD OUT - Rural Life Vintage Revival Open Air Cinema- Dirty Dancing
    Find Out More
    4th Sep
  • Vintage Market
    5th & 6th September 2020 In place of this year's Rural Life Vintage Revival we will be hosting a socially distanced Vintage Market on the weekend of 5th and 6th September. Entry is by pre-booked ticket only.  Tickets can be booked here. If you sell vintage or retro items would like to have a stall at the Vintage Market, please click here for our registration form.  
    Vintage Market
    Find Out More
    5th & 6th Sept
  • Rural Life Vintage Revival 2020
    CANCELLED - 5th & 6th September 2020 The Revival will be back next year! Kicking off at 10am on Saturday morning, the museum will come alive with the sights and sounds of the 1940s and 1950s. With stalls selling vintage goods, a mixture of mid century American and British music and entertainment, dance lessons and a vintage beauty parlour, this weekend is one not to miss for the vintage lover.  On Saturday, music will be provided by The Wield Glenn Miller Band and Grizzly and the Grasshoppers.  On Sunday, we welcome back The Wield Glenn Miller Band and Gentleman Tim and the Contenders. Line up may be subject to change. If you sell vintage or retro items would like to have a stall at the Revival please click here for our registration form.  
    CANCELLED - Rural Life Vintage Revival 2020
    Find Out More
    5th & 6th Sept
  • Vintage Microphone
    POSTPONED- 5th September Unfortunately, we have had to make the decision to postpone the evening Dance with The Doel Brothers on Saturday 5th September.  We will be rescheduling the dance at a later date.  We will update both this page and our Facebook page when we have a new date.  Current tickets will be valid for the new date or contact us for a refund. This year we are welcoming another act to raise the roof on our Frensham Building. As part of the Rural Life Vintage Revival we will be hosting our fourth 1950s evening dance, this time, accompanied by the 1950s rockabilly sounds of The Doel Brothers.  Tickets are priced at £12.50 and are available here. Doors open at 7.30pm with music starting at 8pm.  Prebooking is advised.
    POSTPONED - Rockabilly Evening Dance with The Doel Brothers
    Find Out More
    5th Sept
  • Car Boot
    Join us on the first Sunday of every month from April until October. Admission is free to buyers, £6.00 to sellers. Museum opens to visitors at 10am. Normal entrance fees apply. Old Kiln Cafe opens at 8am on car boot Sundays.
    Car Boot Sale
    Find Out More
    6th Sep
  • Classic Vehicle Gathering
    CANCELLED - 20th September With the patience to preserve the past, its no wonder classic vehicles have such enduring popularity. Last year’s event, organised by the Surrey Classic Vehicle Club, attracted about 500 entries; not just sleek-bonneted cars, but many other wonderfully wheeled forms of transport representing manufacturers from around the world. From bikes to buses, cars to camper vans, the recognisable to the rather rare, the Classic Vehicle Gathering seems certain to delight everyone. For more information and to book your car in to the show please visit The Surrey Classic Vehicle website here.
    CANCELLED - Classic Vehicle Gathering
    Find Out More
    20th Sep
  • Car Boot
    Join us on the first Sunday of every month from April until October. Admission is free to buyers, £6.00 to sellers. Museum opens to visitors at 10am. Normal entrance fees apply. Old Kiln Cafe opens at 8am on car boot Sundays.
    Car Boot Sale
    Find Out More
    4th Oct
  • 11th October - CANCELLED Land Rovers, the ultimate definition of vehicle dependability, will be on parade. Rugged, reliable and always relevant, Land Rovers have been a major presence at home and abroad since 1948 when they debuted at the Amsterdam Motor Show. Adaptable to almost any environment, they will be flexing their muscle and horsepower thanks to Central Southern Vintage Agricultural Club (CSVAC) who are based at the museum and are hosting the show.
    CANCELLED - Land Rover Day
    Find Out More
    11th Oct
  • Rural Life Living Museum - Families in the grounds
    29th October 2020 Perhaps have a go at milking Daisy the Cow, make and launch a rocket or have a ride on the train.  Little ones can often explore our child sized doll’s house and everyone can join in with arts and crafts. Sometimes you can even help out at the Victorian Laundry or assist the Home Guard... Fun for all the family during the holidays.  There's so much to do during Activity Thursdays! 20th February 9th & 16th April 28th May 23rd & 30th July 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th August 29th October Activities may vary. Activities commence at 10.30am and run until approximately 4pm.  
    Family Day
    Find Out More
    29th Oct
  • All Hallows Eve
    31st October Spooks and ghouls abound this evening!  Join us at the museum for an evening of ghostly stories, activities and a ride on the haunted ghost train. Listen to a ghost story in our woodland cabin or make a besom broom by the old furnace. Suitable for all ages. Don't forget your torch!  Activities start at 3pm until 6.30pm.
    All Hallows Eve
    Find Out More
    31st Oct
  • Looking for something different to give your loved ones for Christmas? There will be plenty of unique and handmade gifts on offer at our Christmas Craft Fair.
    Christmas Craft Fair
    Find Out More
    7th Nov
  • Victorian Christmas Make and Do
    Come and celebrate the festive season at the museum with a day of traditional Victorian Christmas games and activities.
    Victorian Christmas Make and Do
    Find Out More
    8th Nov
  • A Vintage Christmas
    Returning to the museum for a third year, a Vintage Christmas provides something a little unusual for shoppers during the festive season.
    A Vintage Christmas
    Find Out More
    14th & 15th Nov
  • Arboretum
    29th November 2020 Join us for a day of tree dressing activities.  Make a jam jar lantern, pine cone bird feeders and more.  At 3pm follow the procession to decorate the trees in our arboretum.  
    Tree Dressing Day
    Find Out More
    29th Nov
  • December 5th, 6th, 12th & 13th December 2020. The Rural Life Living Museum is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with something to enchant young and old alike. Take a ride through the woods on the Old Kiln Light Railway and visit the Elves’ Workshop. There will be a chance to meet animals in their stable at the North Pole. Enter into the Christmas spirit with twinkling lights, festive music and a visit to Father and Mother Christmas in their magical grotto where each child will receive a gift. This is a timed event and you will pick a time slot. The last train to see Santa leaves at 6pm. Book Tickets
    Santa Specials
    Find Out More
    5th, 6th, 12th & 13th Dec

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Find Us

Rural Life Living Museum, Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL  Tel: 01252 795571
3 miles south of Farnham, just off the A287, midway between Frensham and Tilford villages.

Rural Life Living Museum

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