Rural Life Living Museum

Rural Life Living Museum Bringing our Rural Heritage to Life One of the biggest private collections of village and rural life. There is so much to explore!
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The Rural Life Living Museum is a country life museum, assembled by the late Mr & Mrs Henry Jackson and now run by a charitable trust. It is pleasantly distributed over ten acres of field, woodland and barns, and comprises a large number of implements and devices marking over 150 years of farming. Many aspects of village and rural life are also displayed in realistic individual settings. Meet the

blacksmiths
Have a ride on the train
Find out what the Woodies are up to

No hot food at the Cafe tomorrow (bank holiday Monday) but they will be serving sandwiches, cakes and snacks!The Rural L...
30/08/2026

No hot food at the Cafe tomorrow (bank holiday Monday) but they will be serving sandwiches, cakes and snacks!

The Rural Life Living Museum is owned and operated by the Old Kiln Museum CIO, registered charity number 1200370. The museum receives no external funding and is dependent on ticket sales and donations to continue operating so we really appreciate your support.

🦴Future Fossils workshop - tomorrow!🦴A drop-in creative workshop for families, Saturday 29th August, 11am-3pm. Inspired ...
28/08/2026

🦴Future Fossils workshop - tomorrow!🦴

A drop-in creative workshop for families, Saturday 29th August, 11am-3pm.

Inspired by her artwork Nature Keeps Track in the Heathlands Art Trail, ceramic artist Rachael Baum will be delivering a creative clay and plaster workshop as part of the our Working Weekend this Saturday 29th August.

A note from Rachael about the workshop:

Imagine a million years in the future, where those who dig are more likely to discover plastic toys and discarded fast food bones than the real dinosaur bones that are the prize of today’s fossil hunters. Participants are asked to consider, what will remain in the soil to be found from our time and what might future archaeologists make of what we leave behind?

Children and their accompanying adults will use clay and objects to create a plaster “future fossil” which they can take home, whilst also using their clay creations to contribute to a communal sculpture.

🦴Included in museum entry price

🦴Suitable for all ages, must be accompanied by an adult

🦴Clay and plaster should wash out of clothing but please dress for mess regardless.

🦴This relaxed creative session is designed for families to enjoy together. Due to the drop-in nature, if there are no spaces when you arrive, please pop back later.

Surrey Hills National Landscape Farnham Craft Town

27/08/2026

Firing up the machines!
It’s been a wonderful summer at the Rural Life Living Museum and we have loved seeing so many families through our gates. Today is the last Activity Thursday of the summer so if you haven’t made it to one yet, there’s still time.

We're looking for traders and vintage sellers to attend a Winter Craft and Vintage Fair at the Rural Life Living Museum ...
26/08/2026

We're looking for traders and vintage sellers to attend a Winter Craft and Vintage Fair at the Rural Life Living Museum on the 28th & 29th November. Please do get in touch [email protected] if you'd like to book in or have any questions about the event.

Home Education and Toddler Time sessions are back for Autumn 2026!Have a look at some of the amazing Dig for Victory gar...
25/08/2026

Home Education and Toddler Time sessions are back for Autumn 2026!

Have a look at some of the amazing Dig for Victory gardens we made last term during our Home Ed sessions and also at some of the incredible artwork from Toddler Time.

Tickets are available now via our website.

🫟Toddler Time, Wednesdays during Surrey Term Time starting September 2nd 2026, 10am - 11am.

🎨Home Education Sessions - Every other Thursday starting September 3rd 2026, 10am - 12pm.

Made possible thanks to Community Foundation for Surrey .

Community Day at The Rural Life Living Museum this Wednesday with performances from Aesop's Touring Theatre Company at 1...
24/08/2026

Community Day at The Rural Life Living Museum this Wednesday with performances from Aesop's Touring Theatre Company at 11am and 2pm!
The Rural Life Living Museum is owned and operated by the Old Kiln Museum CIO, registered charity number 1200370.

Join us this October as we host a hands‑on Cider Making Course with Misty Moon Cider ! Learn the craft from Founder Kat...
21/08/2026

Join us this October as we host a hands‑on Cider Making Course with Misty Moon Cider !

Learn the craft from Founder Kathryn Lockett and Dr Jill Sudbury, who bring years of experience and a passion for traditional skills.

During the course you’ll:
🍎 Explore how different apple varieties shape flavour
🍎 Sort, mill and press apples using traditional equipment
🍎 Discover the science behind fermentation and yeast
🍎 Taste a range of ciders to find your favourites
🍎 Prepare your own 5‑litre demijohn to ferment at home
🍎 Take home bottles of award‑winning Misty Moon Cider

Upcoming Dates:
Friday 9 October 2026
Saturday 10 October 2026

£265 per person (including all booking fees).
Book by 24 August for a 10% Early Bird Discount!

Secure your place on Eventbrite:
Friday 9 October - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/misty-moon-cider-making-course-friday-9-october-2026-tickets-1993449026701?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday 10 October - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/misty-moon-cider-making-course-saturday-10-october-tickets-1993454163064?aff=erelpanelorg

*Please note, the museum is the venue for the course. Any questions related to the course or enquiries about booking, please contact Misty Moon Cider directly. Thank you.

We are welcoming the only surviving Dennis FD4 ambulance to the Rural Life Living Museum after months of recovery work b...
20/08/2026

We are welcoming the only surviving Dennis FD4 ambulance to the Rural Life Living Museum after months of recovery work by our volunteers. This vehicle gave birth to the modern ambulances we know today!
The Rural Life Living Museum is owned and operated by the Old Kiln Museum CIO, registered charity number 1200370.

🔧✨ History bursts into action every Thursday! ✨🔧Looking for something fun and hands-on to do with the family during the ...
20/08/2026

🔧✨ History bursts into action every Thursday! ✨🔧

Looking for something fun and hands-on to do with the family during the school holidays? Join us for Activity Thursday – a lively day where the Museum comes alive with making, crafting, spinning, weaving and plenty of mechanical magic!

🚀 Create rockets
🪵 Watch our woodturners in action
🚜 Climb aboard tractors
🧶 Have a go at spinning and weaving
🚲 Discover bicycles, steam engines, fire trucks and more!

Every Thursday is different, with seasonal themes, special appearances from our talented craftspeople and passionate volunteers, and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Perfect for families, curious minds and enthusiasts of all ages – there’s always something new to discover!

And after all that activity, why not relax with a chat and a slice of cake at the Market Garden Café? ☕🍰

📅 Every Thursday during the school holidays
Come along and make some memories!

For more information and to buy tickets visit: www.rural-life.org.uk

The Rural Life Living Museum is owned and operated by the Old Kiln Museum CIO, registered charity number 1200370. The Museum receives no external funding and is dependent on ticket sales and donations to continue operating. We really appreciate your support.


Throughout August we’ve loved welcoming Brian from Rowhill Candles, who has been running our weekly Candle Rolling Works...
18/08/2026

Throughout August we’ve loved welcoming Brian from Rowhill Candles, who has been running our weekly Candle Rolling Workshops every Wednesday. They’re perfect for anyone aged 8+, and you’ll make three handmade beeswax candles, a greeting card, and take everything home in a lovely gift bag.

If you’re keen to explore even more candle craft, Brian will also be back this Autumn with his Candle Making Workshops. The next session takes place on Wednesday 9 September 2026.

Head to our website for full details and booking. We can’t wait to see you there!

Address

Reeds Road, Tilford
Farnham
GU102DL

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

01252795571

Website

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