East Surrey Museum

East Surrey Museum The museum is housed in an attractive Victorian flint and tiled building. The collection covers local history, archaeology, and geology. Admission is free.

The museum covers Tandridge together with parts of Reigate and Banstead and the London Borough of Croydon. We currently have special displays on The Guards Depot at Caterham, local Stone Age flint axes and tools, Magic Lanterns and the history of recorded sound. Our permanent displays, in the East Surrey Room, explain the geology, archaeology and history of the area with many local fossils and art

efacts including Medieval pottery, and implements from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age. The Children’s Room is loved by children (and adults!) of all ages. It contains toys and artefacts (such as fossils, typewriters and costumes), that may be handled and “experienced”. The room has two huge wallcharts which track the history of toys and the important inventions of the 20th Century. We have a very extensive and important collection of postcards of scenes from local villages, and a collection of local maps going back to the 18th century. The museum shop carries local history books and gifts and all profits are used to support the museum. It is one of the few places where you can buy the Bourne Society’s “Village History” publications, as well as past copies of Local History Records. Importantly, the museum provides a number of services to the community. Group visits to the museum by local organisations, schools, U3A, scouting groups, etc. are very welcome; accompanying talks about the displays can be provided on request. These visits can be arranged outside usual opening times. We also visit schools, care homes and hospitals to give talks (e.g., on National Curriculum subjects) or show artefacts (e.g., from WW2). “Loan boxes”, tailored to the National Curriculum, are available on request. Please contact us about these services via email. All museum rooms are accessible via a ramp; unfortunately we don't have disabled parking. The museum is wholly run by volunteers and donations are welcome. Free parking for a limited time is available at Church Walk Shopping Centre, which is 5 minutes walk from the museum www.churchwalkcaterham.com We are in the centre of Caterham, only about 60 yards from the station, local bus services and taxi rank, and we are in Transport for London zone 6.

01/06/2026

We have just one place left on our Suffolk Puff Workshop on Saturday 13th June 13.00 - 15.30 All materials and refreshments included £8.

Explore all the many things that can be made with Suffolk Puffs and make a pretty greetings card. Please email [email protected] to book and for further details.

Our newest display celebrates Hilary Page, born in Sanderstead in 1904, and Kiddicraft - which originated the now-famous...
31/05/2026

Our newest display celebrates Hilary Page, born in Sanderstead in 1904, and Kiddicraft - which originated the now-famous LEGO brick!

Page and his partners established the toy shop Kiddicraft in 1932 on Godstone Road, Purley. Starting by selling wooden toys, Page soon sought a safer, more hygienic alternative. In 1936, he began using injection moulding hard plastics to make ‘Sensible Toys’ like this Kiddiclock, made at their factory in Kenley.

This led to the creation of the Self-Locking Building Block, which could be stacked on top of other blocks and were held in place with studs on top.

The idea was patented by Page in 1947, and he started to market it. Notably, a Danish carpenter, Ole Kirk Christiansen, saw the plastic block and, with his son Gottfried, was inspired to try a similar idea for his company LEGO.

Page died in 1957, and in 1981, LEGO bought the rights to Kiddicraft’s blocks and the trademark from Page’s descendants. Today, LEGO acknowledges Page’s Self-Locking Building Block as the origin behind the LEGO brick.

It’s almost time for our half-term children’s activities! Join us at East Surrey Museum this week, on Wednesday 27 & Thu...
25/05/2026

It’s almost time for our half-term children’s activities! Join us at East Surrey Museum this week, on Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 May, to take part for free. 🎨

Our half-term children's activities return soon! 🎨👑

Stop by the Museum on Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 May to cut out and colour in stand-up figures of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves.

✨Most suitable for primary-age children with accompanying adults
✨No booking is required - just turn up between 10:30am - 4:30pm!
✨Free to take part in (though donations are always welcome to help us continue to offer these activities!)

Our half-term children's activities return soon! 🎨👑Stop by the Museum on Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 May to cut out and c...
17/05/2026

Our half-term children's activities return soon! 🎨👑

Stop by the Museum on Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 May to cut out and colour in stand-up figures of Henry VIII and Anne of Cleves.

✨Most suitable for primary-age children with accompanying adults
✨No booking is required - just turn up between 10:30am - 4:30pm!
✨Free to take part in (though donations are always welcome to help us continue to offer these activities!)

In June, our popular Children’s Archaeological Dig returns to Whyteleafe Park! Try out metal detecting equipment and lea...
10/05/2026

In June, our popular Children’s Archaeological Dig returns to Whyteleafe Park!

Try out metal detecting equipment and learn from an expert, as we hunt for treasure on Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 June, 10am - 4pm.

The event is free and open to all, with all equipment supplied. In past years, we’ve uncovered coins, pottery, and even a 16th century button from the Tudor period!

Add the dates to your diary and come along to see what items you can unearth… 👀

07/05/2026

Welcome to the museum - we have a lovely new door! As part of our plans to make the museum accessible to all we now have an automated entrance door.

Come and visit our local schools exhibition and also check out our new shop items, including tea towels featuring historic East Surrey landmarks and some new mounted pictures from the Urban Countryman - plus lots more!

Now fully booked!
04/05/2026

Now fully booked!

With memorabilia, photos and stories now on display, step back into your schooldays through our latest exhibition explor...
30/04/2026

With memorabilia, photos and stories now on display, step back into your schooldays through our latest exhibition exploring a selection of schools in the local area. Get a closer look at everything we've collected together on your next visit. 🏫📖

25/04/2026

Our first sewing workshop today was a great success! Next one will be on Saturday 13th June - follow this page or check our website for details.

Address

1 Stafford Road
Caterham
CR36JG

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+441883340275

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