List of museums in Surrey facts for kids

A museum is a special place where cool stuff from the past, or even the present, is collected and looked after. These places show off items related to history, art, science, or culture for everyone to see and learn from. In Surrey, England, there are many amazing museums, from historic houses to places filled with old cars and planes! This list will help you discover some of the best museums in the area.

Museums to Explore in Surrey

Art and Craft Museums

• Crafts Study Centre in Farnham is all about modern crafts. You can see amazing handmade items here.
• Cranleigh Arts Centre in Cranleigh has a gallery where they show different art exhibits.
• Guildford House in Guildford is a 17th-century house that now works as an art gallery.
• Lewis Elton Gallery in Guildford is part of the University of Surrey. It hosts exhibitions of sculptures, paintings, and photos.
• Royal Holloway, University of London Picture Gallery and Art Collections in Egham features awesome paintings and sculptures by famous artists like William Powell Frith and John Everett Millais.
• The Lightbox in Woking is a cool place that combines art, local history, and even science and nature exhibits.
• Watts Gallery in Compton shows the incredible work of Victorian painter and sculptor George Frederic Watts.

History and Local Life Museums

• Ash Museum in Ash focuses on the history of the local area.
• Bourne Hall Museum in Ewell also tells the story of its local community.
• Chertsey Museum in Chertsey explores local history, old archaeological finds, the story of Chertsey Abbey, and even old costumes.
• Chobham Museum in Chobham shares the history of Chobham.
• Dorking Museum in Dorking is dedicated to the local history of Dorking.
• East Surrey Museum in Caterham covers local and social history, geology, and archaeology.
• Egham Museum in Egham tells the story of Egham's local past.
• Godalming Museum in Godalming covers local history, culture, art, and crafts.
• Guildford Museum in Guildford is located in the gatehouse of Guildford Castle. It has exhibits on archaeology, local history, and even needlework.
• Haslemere Educational Museum in Haslemere is a great place to learn about natural history, geology, human history, and different cultures.
• Holmesdale Natural History Museum in Reigate focuses on natural history, archaeology, and local history. It's run by the Holmesdale Natural History Club.
• Leatherhead Museum of Local History in Leatherhead shares the local history of Leatherhead.
• Museum of Farnham in Farnham explores the local history, culture, and artistic heritage of Farnham.
• Reigate Priory Museum in Reigate teaches about the local history and culture of Reigate.
• Rural Life Living Museum in Tilford is an open-air museum that shows what rural life was like, with displays on homes, farming, and old trades.
• Send & Ripley Museum in Ripley focuses on local history.
• Shere Museum in Shere shares the local history of Shere.
• Spelthorne Museum in Staines-upon-Thames covers the local history of the Spelthorne area.
• Spike Heritage Centre in Guildford tells the story of a former workhouse site and the social history of the area.
• Surrey Heath Museum in Surrey Heath explores the local history and culture of Surrey Heath.

Historic Houses and Buildings

• Clandon Park in West Clandon is an amazing 18th-century mansion run by the National Trust. It has beautiful furniture, porcelain, and textiles, plus a special Māori meeting house in its gardens.
• Farnham Castle - Keep & Bishop's Palace in Farnham offers tours of a medieval Bishop's Palace and visits to its old Keep.
• Guildford Castle in Guildford is a historic castle that you can explore.
• Hatchlands Park in East Clandon is an 18th-century country house run by the National Trust. It has unique nautical-style rooms and a collection of old keyboard instruments.
• The Homewood in Esher is a cool 20th-century Modernist house and garden designed by architect Patrick Gwynne, also run by the National Trust.
• Loseley Park in Compton is a beautiful 16th-century manor house.
• Oakhurst Cottage in Hambledon is a restored labourer's home that shows how people lived over four centuries. It's run by the National Trust and you need to book ahead to visit.
• Polesden Lacey in Great Bookham is an Edwardian period house run by the National Trust. It has a fantastic collection of paintings, furniture, porcelain, and silver, plus lovely gardens.
• Shalford Mill in Shalford is an 18th-century watermill run by the National Trust.
• Titsey Place in Oxted is a 19th-century country house with beautiful gardens and a park.

Transportation and Military Museums

• Army Medical Services Museum in Mytchett displays uniforms, medical equipment, ambulances, and medals from different army medical groups.
• Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre in Mytchett has displays about the history of the Basingstoke Canal, an interactive lock model, and a replica barge cabin.
• Brooklands Museum in Weybridge tells the exciting story of Brooklands, a famous motor racing track and aerodrome. You can see old cars, racing cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and aircraft. Your ticket also includes entry to the London Bus Museum!
• Dapdune Wharf in Guildford is run by the National Trust. Its visitor centre has exhibits about the Wey and Godalming Navigations and barges.
• Gatwick Aviation Museum in Charlwood has aircraft engines and over 500 model planes.
• Kempton Park Steam Engines in Kempton Park features two huge triple-expansion steam engines – they're massive!
• London Bus Museum in Weybridge has historic London buses and other related vehicles. It's now located within the grounds of Brooklands Museum.
• Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge showcases amazing cars and is located at the Brooklands motor racing circuit.
• Royal Logistic Corps Museum in Camberley has army artifacts, including transport vehicles and items used to move, feed, and arm soldiers.
• Surrey Fire Museum in Reigate shows the history of firefighting. You need to book an appointment to visit.
• Surrey Infantry Museum in West Clandon displays artifacts and memorabilia from the Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment. It's located at Clandon Park.
• Surrey Police Museum in Guildford tells the history of the Surrey Police. You need to book an appointment to visit.

Sports Museum

• Museum of the National Rifle Association in Bisley has rifles and sports trophies. It's run by the National Rifle Association.

Defunct Museums

Some museums in Surrey have closed their physical locations or changed their purpose:

• Elmbridge Museum in Elmbridge closed its main site in 2014. It now offers traveling exhibits and programs, acting as a "museum without walls."
• Haxted Watermill is no longer a museum and is now a restaurant.
• Royal Earlswood Museum in Redhill had its collections moved to the Langdon Down Museum of Learning Disability.

See also

• Category:Tourist attractions in Surrey