Rural Life Living Museum Ticket Portal

The Rural Life Living Museum’s annual steam rally, Steam at Work has grown year on year.

Steam at work is so titled because this is not an event with long lines of polished engines on a rally field - nice as that is - it is a working event featuring engines powering different types of machinery and doing a job of work.

Steam at work is based within the 15-acre grounds of the Rural Life Living Museum, containing 300 trees making up the arboretum, over 20 relocated historic buildings and a collection of 40,000 objects telling the story of everyday life. Engines move around the museum site throughout the days of the event, so visitors can experience these majestic machines up close.

Steam at work 2025 will feature a dozen full sized engines, from traction engines and road rollers, to steam lorries and showman’s engines and will be joined by a small army of miniature engines to add to the movement. Stationary engines and portable steam engines complete the mix.

There are very few steam rally’s that include a narrow-gauge railway, but ours does! The Old Kiln Light Railway runs around the museum site. There will be multiple engines in steam alongside our impressive fleet of heritage diesel traction to enjoy and ride behind.

Steam at work runs for two days:

Saturday 6th September from 10.00am until 10.00pm with our live Music Sessions from 4pm. Bands playing are The Farleys, Broken Colours and Five Chambers Full. 

Sunday 7th September 10.00am till 4pm.

Each afternoon sees a grand parade of engines through the museum and this year this will be followed by a locomotive cavalcade on the Old Kiln Light Railway.

Join us and experience the sights, sounds and smells of working steam set within the Rural Life Living Museum. Bring family and friends to the Live Music Sessions and celebrate the end of summer. 

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. 

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 email us at info@rural-life.org.uk with their Name, Make, Model, Year and Reg. 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 have our 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.

Set within the grounds of the museum so plenty of things to do and explore. All welcome. 

For entrants

For those wishing to show their Land Rover please email info@rural-life.org.uk with the name, model and year of vehicle. Many thanks. 

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 Living 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: schools@rural-life.org.uk and mark your email 'FAO Learning Team, Hedge Laying'

Join us for a day learning blacksmithing.

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.'

Join us on the 4th weekend of the month in April, May, June, August, September & October, when the Museum team get the 'toys' out to play.

Working weekends bring our vast collection to life, giving visitors the opportunity to experience all sorts, from tractors and a flour mill, through to spinning and weaving, woodturning, vintage fire engines, buses, bicycles and more!

Content each month varies depending on the season and the availability of our skilled and knowledgeable crafts people and volunteers. They are lovely, family friendly weekends and also appeal to the steam and engines specialists and enthusiasts who love nothing more than a cuppa and a catch up to talk shop with our volunteers. 

Welcome, Come in and Explore!

Join us every Thursday during the School Holidays for Activity Thursday – a lively day where history bursts into action!

Watch the Museum come alive as our talented team dives into crafting, making, and doing. Whether it’s creating rockets for kids, watching woodturners at work, sitting on tractors, or trying your hand at spinning and weaving – there’s something new to discover each week!

Every Activity Thursday is different, with seasonal themes and special appearances from our brilliant craftspeople and passionate volunteers. From tractors to bicycles, steam engines to fire trucks, it’s a celebration of all things mechanical, magical, and memorable.

Perfect for families, curious minds, and enthusiasts alike – and of course, there’s always time for a chat and a cake at the Market Garden Cafe

Welcome, Come in, Explore!