Rural Life Centre
Rural Life Centre
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Rural Life Centre is an accredited open-air museum and visitor attraction which collects and preserves objects associated with farming and goods used by local craftsmen circa 1750-1960. Many aspects of village and rural life are displayed recalling a way of life once common to the local people. The museum is distributed over ten acres of field, woodland and barns. The extensive programme of events offers the perfect way to experience the museum as volunteers set about to bring the museum alive by educating and entertaining visitors with crafts, demonstrations and hands-on activities.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
214 reviews
Excellent
121
Very good
69
Average
17
Poor
5
Terrible
2
jezandloraine
Godalming, UK90 contributions
Feb 2023
Visited on Saturday 25/02/23 for the first time and will definitely return. The staff and volunteers are so friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming. So much to see and learn about rural living and farming. Loved the tractors, the Denis collection and all the buildings especially the pre-fab, in fact I loved it all!! Highly recommended for all ages. The cafe is really good, best coffee I have had in a long time.
Written 27 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Louise W
Fleet, UK2 contributions
Oct 2022
A great way to experence the past in a hands on way. Lots of very interesting things to see, different workshops and children's activities to take part in.
A great family day out, something for everyone.
A great family day out, something for everyone.
Written 4 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andy S
Eversley, UK137 contributions
Sep 2022
Not been for a good few years, noticed that they were having a steam weekend, its local & we like steam engines, had a very pleasant few hours watching the old engines moving about & riding the the steam trane. Good to see the forge being used & the saw mill, all a bit ramshackle & rough round the edges but all the better for it. Staffed by I assume volunteers who have a passion which is so good to see . Well worth a visit
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cherriesfan99
Cheltenham, UK679 contributions
Aug 2022
Lovely peaceful surroundings, and so much to interest us, and not only the excellent tea shop on a very very hot day. The rural life centre heavily features old original building, and the appropriate . The exhibits are far too numerous to mention but many stay in the mind - for example, the War / Post war centre for Polish refugees, which was an original part of the estate here.
The small recreated railway station (and working train) was so realistic, whilst the chapel was as dignified, and interesting as you hope for. There are farming implements by the hundred, and accompanying horse crawn carts and later tractors. Both the dentist , and the veterinary surgery looked frankly, quite horrendous. Great to see authentic 1930's bus and original 1914 fire engine - so beautifully maintained.
We had a great day out, very relaxed and so much to see and absorb - so much either brought back memories or opened our eyes to idea /practises and attitudes from the past.
Lovely grounds to walk around slowly through the heat of the hottest day of August.
We must mention the staff at the café / tea shop - they made our day.
The small recreated railway station (and working train) was so realistic, whilst the chapel was as dignified, and interesting as you hope for. There are farming implements by the hundred, and accompanying horse crawn carts and later tractors. Both the dentist , and the veterinary surgery looked frankly, quite horrendous. Great to see authentic 1930's bus and original 1914 fire engine - so beautifully maintained.
We had a great day out, very relaxed and so much to see and absorb - so much either brought back memories or opened our eyes to idea /practises and attitudes from the past.
Lovely grounds to walk around slowly through the heat of the hottest day of August.
We must mention the staff at the café / tea shop - they made our day.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gemma M
1 contribution
Aug 2022 • Family
A fantastic day out. We visited on ‘activity Thursday’ which meant there were a range of hands on activities my two boys (7 & 10) could get involved with. The volunteers running these activities were friendly and knowledgeable.
In addition to the activities there were plenty of history to learn and a lovely little park to let of steam.
In addition to the activities there were plenty of history to learn and a lovely little park to let of steam.
Written 11 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MrCfromHampshire
Basingstoke, UK109 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
First time visit and had a great time. All of the volunteers were really friendly and knowledgeable. The café was really nice and the toilets were really clean. Definitely coming back
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dibs172
Swindon, United Kingdom29 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
What a lovely place to spend the day. Lots of interesting things for adults and children to look around. Beautiful grounds to walk around. Easy plentiful parking.
The train ride was lovely and the men that ran the train were really knowledgeable about the engines and were kind enough to show us around.
The cafe had a good variety of food and drink all reasonably priced and one of the best decaffeinated cappuccinos I've ever had 😀
It was a birthday weekend away but I would definitely come and visit again and highly recommend.
The train ride was lovely and the men that ran the train were really knowledgeable about the engines and were kind enough to show us around.
The cafe had a good variety of food and drink all reasonably priced and one of the best decaffeinated cappuccinos I've ever had 😀
It was a birthday weekend away but I would definitely come and visit again and highly recommend.
Written 9 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maykay39
UK42 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
What a great find. One of those museums that has so much to see in any weather. There was everything from old school rooms, shops, cricket pavillions, churchs, lots of original buildings plus so much history about transport, farming, engineering, cycling, leisure, tractors, steam rollers and wagons galore. I was suprised how much there was to see.
It was very hot when we visited but there is a lot under cover and plenty of shade. Lots of places just to sit and look. We were a multi generational group along with dog and toddler and spent 3 hours there on a weekday (including eating cake and sandwiches at the lovely little cafe.) There seems to be a lot of events at weekends including the miniature train track. I especially liked the exhibition about the Polish soldier's and their families who were resettled after WW2 in the old Canadian Camp Tweedsmuir near Thursley. We owed a great debt to them and it was particularly poignant given what's going currently and it was very good to see this history documented too. Very interesting and very friendly staff. I would definitely return if ever in the area.
It was very hot when we visited but there is a lot under cover and plenty of shade. Lots of places just to sit and look. We were a multi generational group along with dog and toddler and spent 3 hours there on a weekday (including eating cake and sandwiches at the lovely little cafe.) There seems to be a lot of events at weekends including the miniature train track. I especially liked the exhibition about the Polish soldier's and their families who were resettled after WW2 in the old Canadian Camp Tweedsmuir near Thursley. We owed a great debt to them and it was particularly poignant given what's going currently and it was very good to see this history documented too. Very interesting and very friendly staff. I would definitely return if ever in the area.
Written 17 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachel L
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Lovely museum! There’s surprising amount to do for a small toddler and it’s great you can take the dog too. Really nice for a family day out.
Written 17 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mattfuneralcare
Hook, UK117 contributions
May 2022
Todays visit.... A Village At War................ absolutely awesome, im into the 40s/50s lifestyle and the detail here was second to none, even the folk who dressed up in period costume, A mini Goodwood Revival. A mate was an exhibitor with his vehicles so went along to see him whilst there, loved the 40s prefab house... mind blowing.
The sun shone all day alot of fun and happy faces, so much to see and do.Bargains to be had at stalls, main tea room/cafe was very overpriced, but all in all a fantastic weekend/day out would definitely recommend to anybody. Beautiful woodland surroundings and steam train to ride on too. will be returning for the Vintage Revival show early in September
The sun shone all day alot of fun and happy faces, so much to see and do.Bargains to be had at stalls, main tea room/cafe was very overpriced, but all in all a fantastic weekend/day out would definitely recommend to anybody. Beautiful woodland surroundings and steam train to ride on too. will be returning for the Vintage Revival show early in September
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mariecarlotta V
London, UK7 contributions
Are dogs allowed?
Teresa
Farnborough, UK10 contributions
I believe dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead. Also I would check the website as sometimes they have livestock on the site.
JaxNorthants
Thrapston, UK141 contributions
Is it possible to get a wheelchair on the train carriage?
JaxNorthants
Thrapston, UK141 contributions
Is it possible to get a wheelchair on the train carriage?
Fabiano V
Colchester, UK733 contributions
Hi, sorry wheelchair can't fit in the carriage (see one of photo train carriage), but you can get off the wheelchair and fold it put in one of wagon.
gillcarron123
Hindhead, UK
do you have a free play area for 2 - 9 year olds near the cafe?
Fabiano V
Colchester, UK733 contributions
Hi, yes they do have playground, but the cafe is 70 meter away from playground, hope it helps
Fab.
Blueskies1989
Sandhurst, England4 contributions
General opinions on visiting Santa at the Rural Life Centre?
RURAL LIFE CENTRE (Tilford) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Rural Life Centre
- Rural Life Centre is open:
- Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Rural Life Centre:
- (2.12 km) Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat
- (10.67 km) Aviator Hampshire
- (4.17 km) The Princess Royal
- (14.43 km) Night Pastures
- (3.96 km) Premier Inn Farnham hotel
- Restaurants near Rural Life Centre:
- (2.03 km) Yiayias at The Fox
- (0.64 km) Squire’s Garden Centre
- (0.68 km) Old Kiln Cafe
- (2.04 km) The Spotted Cow
- (2.01 km) The Duke of Cambridge, Tilford
- Attractions near Rural Life Centre:
- (0.20 km) RSPB Farnham Heath
- (4.10 km) Paya Thai Cooking
- (1.64 km) Frensham Little Pond
- (4.32 km) The Sculpture Park
- (2.47 km) Waverley Abbey