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14th March For one Saturday each month we will be showcasing rural crafts and vanishing skills. Activities will vary each month but may include mini talks and tours to learn more about the museum and the stories it tells. There will be demonstrations and have a go activities. 14th March 18th April 16th May 18th July 19th September Normal museum entrance fees apply. Free entry for annual pass holders.
28th March The museum’s buildings will be alive with the sounds of steam-driven toys of yesteryear. An event for children of all ages! A fascinating day for all the family and particularly for those who have never seen a steam toy in action. The museum will be full of these historic toys, many of which will be stationary engines alongside a colourful display of steam-powered road vehicles and trains. If you would like to exhibit any steam toys at this rally, please fill out our registration form by clicking here.
9th April 2020 Have a go at washing clothes the Victorian Way, you could even launch an air propelled rocket from the Village Green or you could learn about the Home Guard from our very own warden. There’s plenty to do on our Activity Thursdays during the school holidays, explore our child sized doll’s house, ‘milk the cow’ or have a go on the pole lathe during your visit. 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.- 16th April 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.
18th April For one Saturday each month we will be showcasing rural crafts and vanishing skills. Activities will vary each month but may include mini talks and tours to learn more about the museum and the stories it tells. There will be demonstrations and have a go activities. 14th March 18th April 16th May 18th July 19th September Normal museum entrance fees apply. Free entry for annual pass holders.- 16th May For one Saturday each month we will be showcasing rural crafts and vanishing skills. Activities will vary each month but may include mini talks and tours to learn more about the museum and the stories it tells. There will be demonstrations and have a go activities. 14th March 18th April 16th May 18th July 19th September Normal museum entrance fees apply. Free entry for annual pass holders.
- 28th May 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.
4th & 5th July Sound the sirens and ring the bells — a fire engine festival is coming! Quenching blazes is just one of the uses of these magnificent machines, but nothing can dampen the enthusiasm of the Tilford Fire Group. On display will be a whole range of appliances, from early manuals right through to more modern motorised machines, which have only recently been decommissioned.
18th July For one Saturday each month we will be showcasing rural crafts and vanishing skills. Activities will vary each month but may include mini talks and tours to learn more about the museum and the stories it tells. There will be demonstrations and have a go activities. 14th March 18th April 16th May 18th July 19th September Normal museum entrance fees apply. Free entry for annual pass holders.- 23rd 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.
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.- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.- 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.
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.
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
Events Calendar
See all events at a glance, including past events.
Craft Courses
Experience our vanishing skills courses. If there are no planned or suitable dates for the course, please register your interest with us.
Stool Making
Learn how to craft your own stool from scratch using traditional tools and materials.
Blacksmithing
Learn the tricks of the trade at our traditional forge. Take home a hand made gift.
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