Crafts & Country Life Through the Ages
The Rural Life Centre in Tilford is an open–air museum dedicated to the crafts, trades and daily life of the English countryside from 1750 to 1960. Spread across ten acres of woodland and meadow, it houses over 40,000 artefacts in a collection of historic and reconstructed buildings including a chapel, a village hall, a wheelwright’s shop and a Victorian schoolroom.
Founded in 1974 by Henry Jackson, a local farmer and collector, the centre grew from a personal passion into one of the most comprehensive rural heritage collections in southern England. Its displays cover everything from hop–picking and charcoal–burning to the evolution of domestic technology, presenting social history in an accessible, hands–on way that appeals to all ages.
A Living Museum
What sets the Rural Life Centre apart from conventional museums is its emphasis on demonstration and participation. Volunteer craftspeople regularly demonstrate traditional skills such as blacksmithing, wood–turning, thatching and lace–making, and seasonal events – harvest festivals, vintage vehicle rallies, wartime re–enactments – bring the collections to life throughout the year.
The centre also operates a narrow–gauge light railway that runs through the grounds on open days, delighting children and railway enthusiasts alike. Set in the beautiful Tilford countryside within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Rural Life Centre combines cultural enrichment with a genuinely enjoyable day out in the fresh air.
