Rural Life Living Museum

About the museum

The Rural Life Living Museum at Tilford, near Farnham, grew from the private collection of Madge and Henry Jackson. They began collecting after finding a horse-drawn plough in woods in Hampshire and taking it home as a garden ornament. Realising that farm tools of earlier generations were being lost, they bought items at farm sales and auctions, and wagons, binders and hand tools were donated to them.

As the collection grew, the couple acquired old buildings and barns from the area to house it. Friends suggested opening to the public, and in 1973 the museum opened on Sundays as the Old Kiln Agricultural Museum in the disused farm buildings known as Henry's Yard. A charitable trust was set up in 1984 and the name changed to the Rural Life Centre. After funding in 2019 it became the Rural Life Living Museum.

Today the museum covers 15 acres with more than 30 buildings, including a chapel, a cricket pavilion, a school room, a Second World War prefab house and workshops, and about 40,000 objects on rural life, farming and forestry. Henry Jackson planted the first tree on the site in 1958, and there is a tree trail through the arboretum. The Old Kiln Light Railway, a 2ft gauge railway run by a separate group of volunteers, runs on selected days.

Highlights

• More than 30 historic buildings in 15 acres
• About 40,000 objects on farming and rural life
• Arboretum and tree trail for children
• Second World War Arcon prefab house and Anderson shelter
• Old Kiln Light Railway on selected days
• Market Garden Café open to all

Permanent exhibitions

• Historic buildings and collections – More than 30 buildings, including a chapel, school room, pavilion and wartime prefab, house about 40,000 objects on rural life and farming.
• Tree trail and arboretum – A trail map leads children through the trees first planted by Henry Jackson in 1958.

Founded

1973

Operated by

The Old Kiln Museum CIO

Admission & discounts

These are the 2026 prices for non-event days, shown without the optional donation of about 10 per cent that allows the museum to claim Gift Aid. Event days are charged separately. The adult ticket is for ages 25 and over. Annual passes also include museum-run events from spring to autumn and are not valid for Christmas events or learning courses. The Old Kiln Light Railway has separate tickets.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance, shop and Market Garden Café are reached by level surfaces or concrete ramps, and the shop, café and toilets are accessible to wheelchairs and buggies. One wheelchair can be borrowed from reception on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessible bays are at the top of the driveway on the left. Some heritage buildings are not fully accessible because of narrow doors, and can be viewed from outside. The main track is flat compacted scalpings, but some woodland paths are uneven, and the café seating area and playground have woodchip surfaces; the site can be muddy in wet weather. Accessible toilets are in the main toilet block and in the School Room. All dogs, including assistance dogs, are welcome on short leads. A social story board is available to help visitors prepare, and staff can point out quiet areas.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The museum describes itself as family friendly, with space for children to run and explore, a children's playground, a tree trail map and a Toddler Time programme. Baby changing is in the main toilet block. Private hire includes children's birthday parties.

Getting there & parking

The address is The Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham GU10 2DL, between the market towns of Farnham and Haslemere in the Surrey Hills.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Market Garden Café is near the main entrance, is open to everyone without a museum ticket and serves a family-friendly menu. It opens in line with museum hours. Picnic places and benches are across the site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 5,000 guests.

The 15-acre site and its buildings can be hired for weddings, parties, team events, rallies and car shows, with a car park of about 450 spaces including overflow and camping options.

Plan your visit