Rural Life Living Museum Ticket Portal

Our ever popular steam rally, 'Steam at Work' returns once again for 2025.

When we started this event, we called it 'Steam at Work' because our rally is different. This is not a 'park and polish' rally with rows of gleaming engines sat in a field, at our rally, engines moving and working is the theme.

Our event captures the sights, sounds and smells of the age of steam. Visitors can immerse themsleves in this bygone world, and each day concludes with a parade of engines through the museum.

With 20+ full size tractions engines, steam rollers, steam lorries and road locmotives in attendance alongside an array of miniature engines and stationary engines this is an event 'in motion' and really is not to be missed.

Exhibitor Entry Information:

Entries of full size engines, miniatures and stationary engines are all welcome. Coal is provided. Engines can arrive any time the week before the event and can be stored on site after the event by arrangement.

Those wishing to enter should email the event organiser, Rob Bentley - rob.bentley@rural-life.org.uk

• Name of Entrant
• Engine type
• Year of manufacture
• Whether you are attending Saturday, Sunday or both.
• Whether you require a camping pitch, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday night
• Whether you are roading the engine to us or using a low-loader / trailer and whether or not you require storage for your low-loader / trailer on site during the event.

Joining instructions will be sent out a few weeks prior to the event. 

Our annual fire engine rally returns!

Join us for a fun packed day for all the family with red paint, lights and sirens galore!

See the Museum filled with fire engines from the turn of the last century through to the present day.

Demonstrations will take place throughout the day, including a rescue from the saw pit, a fire at the railway station, rescuing the cat from the roof of the cricket pavillion and more.....

There will be opportunity to live your own firefighter dream and climb in the cab (selected vehicles only with owners permission) see what's inside the lockers and take a ride round the Museum on a vintage fire engine.

This is a great summer event for all the family. We can't wait!

Vehicle owners wishing to enter their vehicle.

Please email: jon@chiefgroup.co.uk

Stating:

Your Name

Vehicle registration number

Vehicle Make and model

Year of manufacture

Whether you are attending Saturday, Sunday or both

Whether you require a camping pitch Friday, Saturday, Sunday night.

See the Museum packed with shining paintwork and gleaming chrome.

Join us on Sunday 21st September for this very special 1 day event as we welcome classic, veteran and vintage vehicle owners and clubs for the day.

Whether you are an enthusiast, or on a family day out, the Classic Car show is a good all rounder, plenty to see and lots to explore.

We look forward to seeing you.

For vehicle owners: 

All types of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles are welcome, along with vehicle clubs.

All entrants, wishing to bring a vehicle can fill in the online form to register. Joining details will be sent out via email a few weeks before the event. All types of veteran, vintage and classic vehicles are welcome, along with vehicle clubs.

For each vehicle entry the driver and 1 (one) passenger gain free entry into the Museum, all additional passengers will need to book a ticket in advance, or will be asked to leave the vehicle on entry and pay in the shop on arrival. There is no vehicle entry fee to this event.

For any vehicle entry enquiries, please email: info@rural-life.org.uk marking the subject of your email: CLASSIC CAR SHOW 2025

This October we once again welcome back the Central Southern Vintage Agricultural Club for Land Rover day.

Land Rover Day is one of the Museum's most enduring events, drawing each year, a number of vehicle entrants with a great variety of vehicles, all of which of course are Land Rovers.

This event is a must for any enthusiast, but is great for a family day out too, especially if a member of your family has 4 wheels that was made in Solihull.

For entrants

For those wishing to show their Land Rover please register via the online form. Any questions email info@rural-life.org.uk. 

Summer Fair Sunday 3rd August 2025 

It is officially the Summer Holidays!  Now is time for some family fun at the museum. Join us for a day of family fun with games, traditional crafts and much, much more! 

Games and children's activities run by the museum are all included in your ticket price. 

Visit the various artisan stalls for a little retail therapy. Take a ride on the Old Kiln Light Railway (*OKLR), hop on our fire engines and tractors for a ride and hear our engines whistle and whir. *OKLR Tickets are sold seperatley at Mills Wood Station. 

You are very welcome to bring a picnic or take a break at our Market Garden Cafe throughout the day. The museum will be open too so come in and explore!

We are a dog friendly site but do ask for dogs to be kept on a lead please.

Open from 10am - 4pm (last entry 3pm). Parking available onsite. Please follow signs and directions from the car parking stewards on arrival and departure of the site. 

This event is kindly being run by our volunteers. Look forward to seeing you there. 

Join us for a day learning hedge laying.

Wednesday 22nd October 2025, Wednesday 12th November 2025, Wednesday 11th February 2026.

Start time 09.30 - Finish time 16.00

Maximum of eight participants.

We're very pleased to announce the start of Adult Courses at the Rural Life Museum. Thank you for your interest in the One Day Hedge Laying Course with John Blithe.

Aims - by the end of the course, participants will:

• Gain hands-on experience in hedge laying.
• Learn how to use a variety of hand tools associated with hedge laying.
• Understand the significance, history, and value of hedges. 

Participants should bring/wear:

• Sturdy footwear, work clothes, and gardening gloves.
• Dress appropriately for the weather.
• Tools such as billhooks will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring loppers or bow saws if you prefer.
• Snacks and water. 

Timing:

Please arrive by 9:20 am for a 9:30 am start. Please gather at the museum's café. There will be plenty of breaks throughout the day and the course will conclude at 4pm. 

Location: Rural Life Living Museum, The Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DL. 

Sorry, no dogs allowed, with the exception of assistance dogs.

If you have any questions or require further information, please email: info@rural-life.org.uk and mark your email 'Hedge Laying FAO Alex Fowler'

Join us for a day learning blacksmithing.

Saturday 28th June 2025 - SOLD OUT, Saturday 26th July 2025 - SOLD OUT, Saturday 9th August 2025, Friday 26th September, Friday 24th October, Friday 21st November 2025.

Start time 10.00am - Finish time 16.00

Maximum of two participants.

Course Overview:

To begin, there will be an informal introductory talk on forge work that covers the fundamentals of hot forging metal. 

You will learn about:

• Lighting and managing a forge fire.
• Heating metal.
• Various hammering techniques including bending, twisting, tapering, upsetting, and more. Utilizing specialized tools.
• Managing heat for efficient forging.
• Health and safety practices in the forge. 

Throughout the session, students will learn fundamental blacksmithing techniques by creating classic items that they can take home. This immersive experience provides a comprehensive introduction to the traditional craft of blacksmithing. Your day will depend on your blacksmith tutor as each craftsman has a unique style; making your day all the more special. 

Please note that the course involves physical activity; assistance will always be available if needed, and there will be plenty of breaks. However, be prepared for physical work throughout the day. Lunch at the Market Garden Cafe is included. 

Timing: Please meet at the museum cafe at 9:45am for a 10:00am start. Course end times will vary, but we will aim to finish as close to 4pm as possible. 

Location: The Rural Life Living Museum, The Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DL.

Cancellation Policy: Please note: To re-book or cancel will require a minimum of 30 days’ notice prior to the booked date. Courses can only be re-booked if dates are available within that year. Non-refundable - Refunds are not available. Please refer to The Rural Life Museum’s terms and conditions for cancellations.

Saturday 27th September 2025

Come and spend a fascinating day learning the smelting process, developed by humans around 7000 years ago for turning rock into metal. You'll handle interesting artefacts and learn the story of metals, before working in small groups to build a simple charcoal-fuelled furnace and use leather bellows to turn beautiful malachite into copper metal.

• Participants should be over the age of 16.
• Please wear old clothes in natural fibres such as cotton or denim and also wear sturdy shoes.
• The furnaces are built on the ground so you should be able to work at this level, though some adjustments may be possible if required.

Timing:

Please arrive by 9:45 am for a 10:00 am start. Please gather at the museum's café. Hot drinks and biscuits will be provided on arrival. There will be plenty of breaks throughout the day and the course will conclude at 4pm. Lunch at the Market Garden Cafe is included in your ticket.

Please email schools@rural-life.org.uk with any dietary requirements ahead of your course date.

Location: Rural Life Living Museum, The Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 2DL.

Sorry, no dogs allowed, with the exception of assistance dogs.

Cancellation Policy: Please note: To re-book or cancel will require a minimum of 30 days’ notice prior to the booked date. Courses can only be re-booked if dates are available within that year. Non-refundable - Refunds are not available. Please refer to The Rural Life Museum’s terms and conditions for cancellations.'

The Rural Life Living Museum is the heritage home of Dennis Brothers of Guildford, perhaps one of Surrey's most famous manufacturers. 

Whilst Dennis started out making bicycles, then motor cars, they are most famous for their commercial vehicles, buses, trucks and fire engines.

2025 marks the 135 anniversary of Dennis Brothers of Guildford, and to celebrate we are bringing together commercial vehicles of all makes and marques, from Albion and AEC to Dennis, Leyland and more. Buses, lorries, fire engines and everything in between.

The family friendly event runs across two days and the event ticket includes entry to the museum. If you like your vehicles, this one is for you. 

We look forward to seeing you!

For entrants: 

For vehicle owners wanting to join us, please fill in the entry form which can be found in the event tile in the Whats On section of our website.

Join us on the 4th weekend of the month in April, May, June, August, September & October, as the Museum team gets the toys out to play!

Join our building custodians in our historic buildings and discover their secrets. Visit the blacksmiths, see our stationary engines and tractors in action and take part in disappearing craft demonstrations. Content each months will vary depending on the season and the availability of many of our skilled and knowledgeable volunteers. Every month promises to be something different.

Working weekends really bring our vast collection to life, an opportunity for the Museum team to play and for you to experience all sorts, from seed fiddles, tractors and a flour mill, through to spinning and weaving, woodturning, vintage fire engines and buses, bicycles and more!