What’s On | Rural Life Living Museum

Upcoming Events

At the moment following government guidelines, we are not able to run our normal programme of events but we are planning on doing so as soon as we are able to in a manner that ensures the safety of everybody involved. Please keep watch this space for updates.

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
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26th Jul
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
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30th Jul
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
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2nd Aug
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
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6th Aug
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
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13th Aug
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
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20th Aug
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
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27th Aug
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
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4th Sep
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
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5th & 6th Sept
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
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5th Sept
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
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6th Sep
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
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20th Sep
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
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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
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11th Oct
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
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29th Oct
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
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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
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7th Nov
Come and celebrate the festive season at the museum with a day of traditional Victorian Christmas games and activities.
Victorian Christmas Make and Do
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8th Nov
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
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14th & 15th Nov
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
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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
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5th, 6th, 12th & 13th Dec

Events Calendar

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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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