Country Life Through the Ages
The Rural Life Living Museum (formerly the Rural Life Centre) in Tilford preserves over 150 years of English country life across a 10-acre site. Founded in 1974 by Henry Jackson, the museum features reconstructed buildings including a chapel, a village hall, a wheelwright’s workshop and a prefab home from the 1940s. The collection of over 40,000 artefacts covers farming, crafts, domestic life and rural industries, displayed in a way that brings the past to life for visitors of all ages.
Children particularly enjoy the narrow-gauge light railway that runs through the grounds on certain days, the vintage playground with old-fashioned games, and the woodland walk. Special event days feature demonstrations of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, cider pressing and corn dolly making. The museum has a strong educational focus, offering school group visits and holiday workshops.
Visitor Information
The museum is located on Reeds Road in Tilford, about three miles south-east of Farnham. It opens from Wednesday to Sunday during the main season (April to October) with more limited winter openings. The site is largely outdoors, so dress for the weather. There is a small café and a gift shop, plus picnic areas in the grounds. Free parking is available. The museum is run as a charitable trust and relies on admission fees and donations.
