Rural Life Living Museum

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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

Who needs an oven when you’ve got a steamroller? We tried out beef and b**r stew in the smoke box of Reckless the steamr...
12/10/2026

Who needs an oven when you’ve got a steamroller? We tried out beef and b**r stew in the smoke box of Reckless the steamroller recently and now we’re cooking on steam! Recipe and ingredients in the photos.

🚛🔥 BIG VEHICLES, BIG FUN! 🔥🚒With over 50 vehicles coming, our Commercial Vehicle Rally 2026 is shaping up to be a fantas...
11/10/2026

🚛🔥 BIG VEHICLES, BIG FUN! 🔥🚒

With over 50 vehicles coming, our Commercial Vehicle Rally 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic event! 🎉

From buses, lorries and fire engines to military vehicles and classic commercial favourites, there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy.

📅 Join us on Sunday 25th October for a day of motoring heritage, family fun and amazing machines at The Rural Life Living Museum

🎟️ Your event ticket includes museum entry too!

🚚 Love big vehicles? You won’t want to miss this one!

📩 Vehicle owners wishing to take part, email [email protected] with the subject “Commercial Vehicle Rally”.

👉 Tag someone who loves a big truck! 👇

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.

This week's harvest heroes are our threshing machines. Threshing is the job of separating the grain from the stalks and ...
08/10/2026

This week's harvest heroes are our threshing machines. Threshing is the job of separating the grain from the stalks and husks, and before machines it was done by hand with a flail, which was slow, back-breaking work.

A hand threshing machine was turned by a handle, and did the work of many flails at once. It suited smaller farms, where there was no steam engine to hand and the whole family could lend a hand.

A stationary threshing machine was a much bigger beast. It was usually driven by a belt from a steam engine, and threshing day was a big event, with neighbours pitching in to get the harvest done.

Swing by the Rural Life Living Museum to see them up close. All photos © Mike Carrington 2026 AFFCC

🚛🔥 Military vehicle and classic commercial vehicle day - 25th October 🔥🚛Come along for our military and commercial rally...
07/10/2026

🚛🔥 Military vehicle and classic commercial vehicle day - 25th October 🔥🚛

Come along for our military and commercial rally to see lots of big engines! From Willys Jeeps and Lorries to Fire engines and buses, and so much more.

If you like your big vehicles, this one is for you! 🚛❤️

We look forward to seeing you!

🚨 VEHICLE ENTRANTS 🚨

Do you own a commercial vehicle and would like to join us?
We’d love to hear from you! Please email [email protected] with the subject line:

“Commercial Vehicle Rally”

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.


06/10/2026

The Rural Life Living Museum is the perfect place to bring your four-legged best friend. They are welcome (on a lead) all around the museum and in the cafe, and we have acres of incredible heathland for them to explore direct from the carpark. It really is the perfect family day out for everyone.

The sun's gone down, the fairy lights are glowing and there's a campfire crackling. Come and spend A Night Before Christ...
05/10/2026

The sun's gone down, the fairy lights are glowing and there's a campfire crackling.

Come and spend A Night Before Christmas at the Rural Life Living Museum. Toast a marshmallow, warm up with a mulled w**e and hot festive bites, listen to live music and hop aboard the steam train as twilight falls. It's all the same Christmas magic, for families whose children may feel a little too old for the grotto.

A Night Before Christmas takes place on 18 December, 5pm to 9pm. Book your tickets on the website https://rural-life.org.uk/whats-on/82060-20261218

Something very special is coming to the Rural Life Living Museum soon. Watch this space!
05/10/2026

Something very special is coming to the Rural Life Living Museum soon. Watch this space!

IT'S HERE. Christmas tickets are officially on sale! Grab them on the website before they're gone. 🎁Prize draw update: C...
02/10/2026

IT'S HERE. Christmas tickets are officially on sale! Grab them on the website before they're gone.

🎁Prize draw update: Congratulations to Janet, our winner of a free family ticket!

Take a magical steam train ride to Santa's grotto, meet with Father Christmas and receive a present just for you. We can't wait to see you under the fairy lights at the Rural Life Living Museum.

Book now at: https://rurallifemuseum.digitickets.co.uk/event-tickets/36909?catID=52521

This weekend is the launch of October Craft Month in Farnham. Every year, Farnham puts on a month-long celebration of c...
01/10/2026

This weekend is the launch of October Craft Month in Farnham. Every year, Farnham puts on a month-long celebration of craft. Events take place every day, run by local makers, craft organisations and community groups.
This year there will be 140 events, including several here at the Rural Life Living Museum. as well as workshops and activities for children of all ages.
See the Farnham Craft Town website for more info or pick up a brochure when you visit us. https://farnhamcrafttown.com/october-craft-month/

Looking for a lovely morning out AND a head start on Christmas shopping? Join us this Autumn for:Soap Making: learn trad...
30/09/2026

Looking for a lovely morning out AND a head start on Christmas shopping?

Join us this Autumn for:
Soap Making: learn traditional techniques and take home your own handmade soaps
Candle Making: craft beautiful candles to gift (or keep)

Both are relaxed, hands-on mornings at the museum perfect for slowing down and making something meaningful before the Christmas rush hits.

📅 Multiple dates through Oct & Nov
🎟️ Book via the website https://rural-life.org.uk/whats-on link in bio

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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