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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

Our volunteers have been working extremely hard to get the museum ready for reopening and putting in place additional safety measures. We are aiming to reopen very soon, please keep checking the website for details.  In order to manage the number of people onsite, we will be introducing timed pre-booked entry.  We hope to see you at the museum soon. 

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
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Rural Life Living Museum - Exhibits

Our Exhibits

Find out more about our unique collection

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Rural Life Living Museum - Schools and Education

Learning

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

Craft Courses

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

Venue Hire

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

Get Involved

Volunteer, support and donate
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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 - Group of three mean working on vintage tools on rustic sunday
    26th July This festival of country life has lots to interest and entertain all ages. Children will love trying their hand at traditional crafts, riding on the steam train and there’s even a dolls house big enough for little ones to go into. The museum will be bustling with many stalls demonstrating crafts, delicious home-made food, a jazz band and a working steam roller. The children will also love watching the working blacksmith in the museum’s smithy. The reconstructed iron furnace and the wood yard will both be in action. If you are a trader or demonstrator that has traditional skills or crafts to put on show and would like to book a pitch at Rustic Sunday, please click here for our registration form.  
    Rustic Sunday 2020
    Find Out More
    26th Jul
  • Wheelwright
    30th July 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.  
    Activity Thursday
    Find Out More
    30th Jul
  • 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
    2nd Aug
  • Rural Life Living Museum - Families in the grounds
    6th 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.  
    Activity Thursday
    Find Out More
    6th Aug
  • 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.  
    Activity Thursday
    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.  
    Activity Thursday
    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.  
    Activity Thursday
    Find Out More
    27th Aug
  • Open Air Cinema
    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.
    Rural Life Vintage Revival Open Air Cinema- Dirty Dancing
    Find Out More
    4th Sep
  • Rural Life Vintage Revival 2020
    5th & 6th September 2020 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.  
    Rural Life Vintage Revival 2020
    Find Out More
    5th & 6th Sept
  • Vintage Microphone
    5th September 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.
    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
    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.
    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 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.
    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.  
    Activity Thursday
    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

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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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