A Window into Surrey’s Rural Past
The Rural Life Living Museum (formerly the Rural Life Centre) in Tilford is an open-air museum spread across 10 acres of woodland and gardens on the edge of the village. Founded in 1974 by Henry Jackson, a farmer and collector, it preserves over 40,000 artefacts relating to the rural life of the south of England from 1750 to 1960. The collection is housed in a series of reconstructed and relocated buildings, including a chapel, a village hall, a wheelwright’s shop and a prefab bungalow.
The grounds themselves are an attraction, with cottage-style gardens, an arboretum of native trees, a hop garden and demonstration plots showing traditional cultivation methods. A narrow-gauge light railway runs through the site, and there are play areas and farm animals that make the museum a popular family destination.
Events & Seasonal Interest
The museum hosts a programme of events through the year, including vintage vehicle rallies, country crafts weekends and seasonal festivals. Traditional skills such as blacksmithing, hurdle-making and cider-pressing are demonstrated on special days, offering a hands-on connection to Surrey’s agricultural heritage.
The museum is located in Reeds Road, Tilford, about three miles south-east of Farnham. Parking is free. The on-site café serves homemade food. Opening times vary seasonally, so visitors should check the website before travelling. Tilford is also the starting point for walks along the River Wey and across Frensham Common.
