Museums, archives and heritage in Surrey

Surrey, county in SE. of England, bounded N. by the Thames, which separates it from Bucks and Middlesex, E. by Kent, S. by Sussex, W. by Hants, and NW. by Berks; greatest length, N. and S., 26 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 40 miles; area, 485,129 acres, population 1,436,899. The county is traversed from E. to W. by the North Downs range, from which the surface slopes gently down towards the Thames on the N., while on the S. it descends into an extensive flat plain (partly also in the counties of Kent and Sussex) called the Weald. Except a small portion in the SW., and another small portion in the SE., the whole of the county is drained by the Thames and its tributaries, the Wey, Mole, and Wandle. There are many varieties of soil, including plastic and alluvial clays, rich vegetable loam, calcareous earth, and almost barren heath. On the plastic clays the crops are wheat and beans; the alluvial soils, particularly in the vicinity of the metropolis, are chiefly occupied by orchards, market gardens, and farms for the culture of medical and aromatic plants; on the loamy soils the crops are barley, oats, and pease, carrots and parsnips; while the chief products of the calcareous soils are hops and clover. There are some industries in oil, paper, calicoes, woollen goods, &c., and those places situated on the Thames share in the trade of the port of London, but (except in that part of the county included within the limits of the metropolis) the trade and manufactures are not of great importance. The amenities of climate and scenery, the vicinity of the metropolis, and the complete means of railway communication, have caused many parts of Surrey to be studded over with mansions and villas. The county contains 14 hundreds, 152 parishes with parts of 2 others, the parliamentary and municipal borough of Croydon, the parliamentary boroughs of Battersea and Clapham, Camberwell, Lambeth, Newington, Southwark, and Wandsworth; and the municipal boroughs of Godalming, Guildford, Kingston upon Thames, and Reigate. The county is in the dioceses of Canterbury, Rochester, and Winchester.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Note: The London boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth, and parts of Lewisham and Bromley were in Surrey until 1889. The boroughs of Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Sutton and Richmond upon Thames south of the River Thames were part of Surrey until 1965.

Archaeology Centre – Surrey Heath Archaeology & Heritage Trust

Surrey Heath Archaeology and Heritage Trust, 4-10 London Road

Bagshot GU19 5HN

07870 447810

www.shaht.co.uk

We hold extensive collections of borderware pottery, clay pipes and coins. All the collections are available for viewing at the centre.

Ash Museum

Cemetery Chapel, Ash Cemetery, Ash Church Road

Ash GU12 6LX

01252 542341

bit.ly/ashmuseum

Local history museum for Ash, Ash Vale, Ash Green and Tongham.

Basingstoke Canal Visitors Centre

Mychett Place Road

Mychett GU16 6DD

01252 370073

goo.gl/RGjb2w

The Basingstoke Canal is declared by many to be Britain’s most beautiful waterway. From the rolling North Hampshire hills to the dramatic flights of locks in Surrey, the tree-lined canal offers a variety of delights.

Bourne Hall Museum

Spring Street, Ewell

Epsom KT17 1UF

020 83941734

goo.gl/DyRe4L

Discover the fascinating past of Epsom & Ewell at Bourne Hall Museum. Based in the futuristic building of Bourne Hall, our free museum allows you to come face to face with the local past. With exhibits ranging from prehistoric times to the modern day, our permanent displays and regular exhibitions illustrate every aspect of local life and have something to interest all members of the family. The museum charts the borough’s history through its collections of document and picture archives, fine art, costume, archaeology and social history. Highlights of our collection include Lord Rosebery’s hansom cab, a 19th-century fire engine, extensive Derby memorabilia and significant Roman archaeology from local sites.

Brooklands Museum

Brooklands Museum Trust Limited, Brooklands Road

Weybridge KT13 0QN

01932 857381

www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Brooklands was the first purpose-built motor racing circuit in the world in 1907. It was also one of the most prolific aircraft production sites in Europe, with over 18,500 aircraft built or assembled at Brooklands by companies such as Vickers, Hawker, BAC and British Aerospace.

Collections: The 30 acre Museum site displays a wide range of Brooklands- related motoring and aviation exhibits reflecting many great engineering and technological acievements throughout the 20th century. These range from the 1933, 24-litre Napier-Railton racing car to a Wellington Bomber recovered from Loch Ness; a unique collection of Vickers/BAC-built aircraft and the only Concorde publically accessible in the South East.

Caterham & District Local History Centre

Caterham Valley Library, Stafford Road

Caterham CR3 6JG

01883 – 343580

www.surreycc.gov.uk/northtandridgelocalhistory

Local history archive for the communities of Caterham, Chaldon, Chelsham, Farleigh, Warlingham, Woldingham, Whyteleafe, Tatsfield and Titsey. A collaboration between Surrey East Area Libraries, Surrey History Service, Tandridge District council, The Bourne Society, The East Surrey Family History Society, Parish Councils and local schools.

Collections: The centre holds printed publications, historic maps and prints of the area and a photographic collection, part of which has been digitised at www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk.

Chertsey Museum

The Cedars, 33 Windsor Street

Chertsey KT16 8AT

01932 565764

www.chertseymuseum.org

We have fine collections, including history of the Runnymede area, local archaeology and history of Chertsey Abbey, fine art, decorative art, social history including many documents and photographs, local clocks and the nationally significant Olive Matthews Collection of dress and textiles.

Chobham Museum

Benhams Corner, Bagshot Road

Chobham GU24 8BP

01276 858322

www.chobham.org/museum

A small museum situated in a pretty Surrey village. SLocal items. Photographic catalogue of more than 200 old photographs of Chobham.

Clandon Park – National Trust

Clandon

Guildford GU4 7RQ

01483 222482

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clandon-park

Grand 18th-century Palladian mansion: * Two-storey White Marble Hall * Superb collection of Chinese, Meissen and Sèvres Porcelain * Home to the Queens’ Royal Surrey Regiment Museum.

Crafts Study Centre

University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road

Farnham GU9 7DS

01252 891450

www.csc.ucreative.ac.uk

The Crafts Study Centre, established in 1970, has an international standing as a unique archive and collection of 20th century British crafts.

Collections: The Crafts Study Centre’s collection embraces ceramics, textiles, calligraphy and wood, accompanied by reference books.

Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre

The Old Foundry, 62 West Street

Dorking RH4 1BS

01306 876591

www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk

Dorking Museum aims to preserve and present the heritage of Dorking and its surrounding villages and countryside by collecting, conserving, interpreting and displaying items of historic interest, and to provide facilities for study and research.

East Surrey Family History Society

10 Cobham Close

Wallington SM6 9DS

020 8642 6789

www.eastsurreyfhs.org.uk

The East Surrey Family History Society for parishes in the Eastern part of the ancient County of Surrey. This includes those London Boroughs south of the River Thames which are now in Greater London but which were originally Surrey.

East Surrey Museum

1 Stafford Road

Caterham CR3 6JG

01883 340275

www.eastsurreymuseum.org.uk

The museum is situated on the ground floor of a flint and brick house, built about the turn of the 19th century. A local history museum with geological and archaeological displays, crafts, artefacts and other changing exhibitions. The permanent East Surrey Room charts the history of East Surrey from earliest times. The junior room has a permanent World War Two display along with handling artefacts, toys from the past and some changing displays.

Egham Museum

Literary Institute, High Street

Egham TW20 9EW

01483 543599

www.eghammuseum.org

Egham Museum is an independent, community museum serving the communities of Egham, Egham Hythe, Thorpe, Englefield Green and Virginia Water.

Elmbridge Museum

Elmbridge Borough Council, Civic Centre, Esher, KT10 9SD

Esher KT10 9SD

01932 843573

www.elmbridgemuseum.org.uk

The museum displays absorbing pop-up exhibitions around the borough, illustrating the histories and mysteries of the area – a must for anyone seeking to understand what makes Elmbridge the Borough it is today.

Farnham Castle Keep – English Heritage

Farnham GU9 0AG

01252 713393

www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.15093

The impressive motte and shell keep of a castle founded in 1138 by Bishop Henry of Blois. Long a residence of the wealthy bishops of Winchester, the accommodation in the keep was updated in the 1520s.

Gatwick Aviation Museum

Vallance By Ways, Lowfield Heath Road

Charlwood, Nr. Gatwick Airport RH6 OBT

01293 862915

www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk

This aviation museum has a unique collection of British Aircraft from the ‘golden age’ of British aircraft manufacture. From the end of WWII until the 1970s British aircraft designers produced some of the most innovative and advanced aircraft of the day.

Godalming Museum

109A High Street

Godalming GU7 1AQ

01483 426510

www.waverley.gov.uk/godalmingmuseum

At Godalming you will find a friendly, welcoming museum in a listed medieval building dated to 1446. You can follow a trail to discover how the museum looked in medieval times and how it has changed over six centuries.

Guildford Castle

Castle Street

Guildford GU1 3SX

www.guildford.gov.uk/castle

The Great Tower is now open after extensive renovation, including new floors and a roof which has made the building more accessible to visitors. The Tower contains a model of the original castle circa 1300, and interpretation panels tracing its history to the present day.

Guildford Cathedral

Stag Hill

Guildford GU2 7UP

01483 547860

www.guildford-cathedral.org

Guildford Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Guildford, covering 500 square miles of Surrey, north east Hampshire, the London Borough of Kingston and a part of West Sussex. With a seating capacity of 1000, the cathedral provides both focus and resource for the whole community, a venue for concerts, art and education, a place of pilgrimage, as well as stillness, prayer and daily choral worship.

Guildford Museum

Castle Arch

Guildford GU1 3SX

01483 444751

www.guildford.gov.uk/museum

The museum was founded in 1898 and now houses the largest collection of archaeology, local history and needlework in Surrey.

Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court

East Molesey KT8 9AU

0844 482 7777

www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace

Hampton Court Palace was home to some of England’s most famous kings and queens from Henry VIII (1509-47), its first royal resident, to George II (1727-60), its last. With 500 years worth of history to explore, Hampton Court Palace has been divided into a series of historical routes which help to explain how the palace was used when it was occupied by the monarch.

Haslemere Educational Museum

78 High Street

Haslemere GU27 2LA

01428 642112

www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk

Haslemere Educational Museum is one of the largest natural history museums in central southern England with over 240,000 specimens, along with over 140,000 Human History artefacts from around the world. There are three large permanent galleries for geology, natural history and human history artefacts.

Hatchlands Park – National Trust

East Clandon

Guildford GU4 7RT

01483 222482

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlands-park

18th-century mansion with Adam interiors and collection of keyboard instruments, set in parkland.

Hearsum Collection

Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park

Richmond TW10 5HX

www.hearsumcollection.org.uk

Our charity collects and preserves the unique heritage of Richmond Park, the largest of London’s Royal Parks, for all to enjoy. We have a diverse range of heritage material covering the last four centuries, with some 2,500 items including antique prints, paintings, maps, postcards, photographs, documents, books and press cuttings.

Homewood, The – National Trust

Portsmouth Road

Esher KT10 9JL

01372 476424

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/homewood

20th-century Modernist house and garden. The house and landscape garden, designed by architect Patrick Gwynne, reflect the style and ethos of the Modern Movement.

Leatherhead Museum of Local History

Hampton Cottage, 64 Church Street

Leatherhead KT22 8DP

01372 386348

goo.gl/uUQpGD

The Leatherhead Museum of Local History is in Hampton Cottage, a timbered 17th century house. It is the Leatherhead & District Local History Society’s HQ as well as its showcase for many items of local interest.

Leith Hill – National Trust

Leith Hill

Dorking RH5 6LY

01306 712711

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill

Woodland and open heath with Leith Hill Tower commanding extensive views. The highest point in south-east England, the hill is crowned by an 18th-century Gothic tower, with panoramic views northwards to London and the English Channel to the south.

Lightbox, The

Chobham Road

Woking GU21 4AA

01483 737800

www.thelightbox.org.uk

The Lightbox is the award winning gallery and museum in Woking, Surrey, where there is something for everyone. Whether you’re passionate about the arts and history, want activities and fun, or would just like somewhere quiet to relax and think, you’ll find it all at The Lightbox.

Merton Heritage & Local Studies Centre

2nd floor, Morden Library, Merton Civic Centre, London Rd, Morden, Surrey

Morden SM4 5DX

020 8545 3239

www.merton.gov.uk/localstudies

Merton Heritage & Local Studies Centre tells the story of Merton and its people through a changing programme of exhibitions and events. The centre also provides access to a wide range of local history resources from maps and photographs, to period newspapers, the census and a large collection of genealogical material.

Museum of Farnham

38 West Street

Farnham GU9 7DX

01252 715094

farnhammaltings.com/museum

Farnham is a town of outstanding Georgian architecture and a designated town of craft with a lively and artistic atmosphere. The museum aims to reflect this in a varied programme of exhibitions and events for adults and children alike.

Oakhurst Cottage – National Trust

Hambledon

nr Godalming GU8 4HF

01483 208477

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/oakhurst-cottage

Small 16th-century timber-framed cottage: * Restored and furnished as a simple labourer’s dwelling * Fascinating artefacts reflecting 4 centuries of occupation * Delightful gardens with typical Victorian plants.

Polesden Lacey – National Trust

Polesden Lacey, Nr. Great Bookham

Dorking RH5 6BD

01372 452048

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesden-lacey

Nestled in the Surrey Hills, Polesden offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Mrs Greville, an ambitious Edwardian hostess, chose it as the ideal place for entertaining and relaxing with friends.

Reigate District Family History Group

St Mark’s Hall, Alma Road, Reigate

01737 766 135

www.surreycc.gov.uk/redhilllocalhistory

Redhill Local and Family History centre is based in Redhill Library, and you can use the local history centre resources at any time that the library is open.

Reigate Hill & Gatton Park – National Trust

Reigate Hill, Wray Lane

Reigate RH2 0HX

01372 220640

goo.gl/3ravq8

This stretch of the North Downs is good walking country with flower-sprinkled grasslands and quiet shady woods. Sitting proud at the top of the Hill is the 19th-century Reigate Fort.

Reigate Priory Museum

Reigate RH2 7RL

01737 222550 afternoons

www.reigatepriorymuseum.org.uk

Reigate Priory is a grade 1 listed building set in 65 acres of open parkland with a pond, woodland and playing fields only a few hundred yards from the centre of Reigate town, which is situated at the foot of the North Downs. The building is home to Reigate Priory Museum and Reigate Priory School. The museum has a collection of local history and domestic items as well as period costumes.

RH7 History Group, Lingfield

Box Cottage, The Platt Dormansland

Lingfield RH7 6QU

www.rh7.org

The RH7 History Group aims to encourage and assist in the study of local and family history. As our name suggests, we mainly focus on the RH7 postal district which covers the south-east Surrey communities of Lingfield, Blindley Heath, Crowhurst, Dormansland and Newchapel.Members are encouraged to undertake research of their area, house or any local history subject they choose (help is available when needed), and results may be published in the form of factsheets.

Royal Logistic Corps Museum

The Princess Royal Barracks, Newfoundland Road, Deepcut

Camberley GU16 6SQ

01252 833371

www.rlcmuseum.co.uk

The museum tells the story of British Army logistics from the 15th century to the present day. Exhibits include weapons, uniforms, medals and equipment relevant to the RLC (formed 1993)and its predecessors, whose collections are also held.

Rural Life Centre

Old Kiln Museum Trust, Reeds Road, Tilford

Farnham GU10 2DL

01252 795571

www.rural-life.org.uk

The collection documents the changes in rural life over the period between about 1750 and 1960 in an area roughly encompaccing Surrey, east Hampshire, West Sussex and parts of Berkshire. Areas covered include all aspects of domestic and village life including agriculture, crafts and trades.

Shalford Mill – National Trust

Shalford Mill

nr Guildford GU4 8BS

01483 561389

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shalford-mill

18th-century watermill with well-preserved machinery. This large timber-framed mill on the River Tillingbourne was given in 1932 by a group of anonymous NT benefactors calling themselves ‘Ferguson’s Gang’.

Surrey Heath Museum

Knoll Road

Camberley GU15 3HD

01276 707284

www.surreyheath.gov.uk/leisure/museum

A small, lively borough museum, based in the centre of Camberley. The museum’s collections are particularly strong in 19th and 20th century domestic materials, 20th century costume, natural history and photographs.

Surrey History Centre

130 Goldsworth Road

Woking GU21 6ND

01483 518737

www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistorycentre

Surrey History Centre collects and rescues archives and printed materials relating to Surrey’s past and present, so that they can tell the story of the county and its people to future generations. We can help you discover your family history learn about famous Surrey people, buildings, businesses and organisations trace the history of your house, street, town or community or research a school or university project.

Surrey Infantry Museum, The

Clandon Park

Guildford GU4 7RQ

01483 223419

goo.gl/tGzCMG

Following the amalgamation of The Queen’s Royal Regiment and the East Surrey Regiment in 1959, the ownership and management of museum artefacts and archives was vested in The Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment Museum Trust. Following the closure of Regimental Headquarters and Museum in the Keep at Kingston–upon–Thames the artefacts had to be put in store.

Undercroft, The

High Street

Guildford GU1 3HE

01483 444751

www.guildford.gov.uk/undercroft

The medieval Undercroft on Guildford High Street is one of the finest examples in the country. Dating from the end of the 13th century, this stone vaulted semi-basement is thought to have been a merchant’s shop, selling wine or expensive cloths or silk. Undercrofts like this are a feature of towns engaged in the import and export trade, and the merchant who built this Undercroft must have expected to deal with prosperous clients who sought luxury goods.

Wanborough Barn

Nr Wanborough

Guildford GU3 2JR

www.wanboroughgreatbarn.co.uk

Wanborough Barn is located just off the A31 between Guildford and Farnham. Built by the Cistercian monks of Waverley Abbey in 1388, the large medieval barn is the most important in Surrey.

Wandle Industrial Museum

Vestry Hall Annexe, London Road

Mitcham CR4 3UD

020 8648 0127

www.wandle.org

The museum works to preserve, store, and interpret the heritage and history of the industries and people of the River Wandle. We are proud to display the evidence which establishes that the River Wandle was, in its day, the most industrialised river in Europe.

West Surrey Family History Society

21 Sheppard Road

Basingstoke RG21 3HT

www.wsfhs.org

We cover the ancient County of Surrey, both Rural Surrey and the Metropolitan Surrey area, ie those parts of the old county of Surrey which are now in Greater London.