Top Things to do in Surrey
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10 History Museums in Surrey That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Surrey, United Kingdom including Spike Heritage Centre, Send & Ripley Local History Museum, Spelthorne Museum, Museum of Farnham, The Lightbox, Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre, Shere Museum, Surrey Heath Museum, Guildford Museum, Egham Museum.
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1. Spike Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 214 reviews
We are open! All tours need to be pre-booked at least 3 days in advance. The Casual ward to the Guildford Union Workhouse was, and still is, known locally as The Spike. This is no ordinary visitor attraction but a unique visit to a time, place and a way of life for generations history often chose to forget. Prepare to be deeply moved as the tour guides escort you through an unforgettable Night at the Spike. 600 Casual wards were built in Britain, the Guildford Casual Ward is uniquely the only remaining with its working cells.
Reviewed By nickymay33 - Godalming, United Kingdom
Six retired teachers from the Guildford area, most of whom had not visited The Spike before, were treated to a guided tour conducted by Dave and TJ. School teachers are not always the easiest people to impress with a talk but this group unanimously agreed that the two volunteers combined to tell an interesting story of the lives of the inmates who were 'allowed' to either sleep for the night on payment of a penny or to work for a whole day in lieu of payment. Neither vagrants nor casuals were able to return within a month and had to find their next accommodation in other nearby towns. This visit illustrated the hardship suffered by the unfortunates who lived in the years before the welfare state came into being. The video shown was good backup for the guides' comments but undoubtedly the highlight of the tour was visiting the actual cells where the inmates slept and worked. The charitable trust which runs this historic gem is continuing to improve the visitor experience with additional information about the history of the workhouse which also stood on this site and which before being demolished became part of St Luke's Hospital. Do visit, knowing that your entrance fee will help to preserve this small part of Guildford's disappearing history.
2. Send & Ripley Local History Museum
3. Spelthorne Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By jeevsahoo - Staines, United Kingdom
This is within the Staines library and I have visited a number of times with my kid - the reason is, it will take more than one visit to get everything in your mind and during each visit, my kid had 10 minutes of patience - having said that, it was interesting enough for kids to remember each detail from dinosaur days, to the older layout of Staines to older equipments and kids ask a lot of questions (as usual) for each exhibit - a great learning experience. If you try to get all the info in one visit, it may bore them. However, a few mini visits and kids actually look forward to this place!
4. Museum of Farnham
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
he Museum of Farnham is a local history museum, located in a beautiful Georgian town house with many original features and a delightful walled garden. Visit us to discover Farnham’s history, from its prehistoric roots to its hop growing boom and Georgian grandeur. Discover the tales of the illustrious William Cobbett, political agitator, and George Sturt local author and craftsperson, whilst marvelling at the inventions of engineer John Henry Knight, who created one of the first petrol driven cars! The museum is also home to an extensive art and craft collection thanks to the many artists and crafts people who have been drawn to Farnham over the years. The Museum of Farnham is part of Farnham Maltings Association, a creative organisation that works with artists and communities to encourage the most people to make, see and enjoy the best art possible. The Museum works actively with the Farnham Maltings to reach these goals.
Reviewed By Travellerclass - Farnham, United Kingdom
If you have never been here before then you really must find the time. The local history and artefacts found in and around Farnham are superb. Excellent!
5. The Lightbox
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 241 reviews
The Lightbox is an award-winning charitable arts and heritage organisation with a social purpose to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of its community. We strongly believe that art has the power to make you feel good and we strive to ensure that this philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. Our diverse cultural programme includes exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists, local heritage, talks and tours, social events and arts and crafts workshops for all ages.
Reviewed By terrywallan - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
If you want a coffee or a snack in a quiet and comfortable environment choose the Lightbox Cafe. Service is fast and the environment relaxing. Soup, snacks, drinks, coffees and cakes all available at a reasonable cost. This is an excellent break point if you are walking along the canal as you pass through Woking.
6. Dorking Museum and Heritage Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
We are a small volunteer run Museum in the centre of Dorking. We tell the story of Dorking from the time that dinosaurs roamed around the A24 bypass (the bypass wasn't there then) We tell the story of Pilgrim Father, William Mullins, who travelled to Cape Cod only to die three months later... (luckily we also sent Priscilla Mullins who did much better) We have local celebrities including writers George Meredith (who lived on Box Hill) and E. M. Forster (from Abinger), suffragette Emmeline Pethick Lawrence and of course Ralph Vaughan Williams (composer of the greatest hit "Lark Ascending"). Come and see us... write a nice review... so that other people will come and see us.
Reviewed By marchsl
Found about this on a google search of things to do quite by chance. So glad we signed up! Peter Sturge and his wife Jen (as well as some other museum staff) we so accommodating and kind. They communicated several times prior to our visit. Although the area has more hills than this Florida girl is used to the staff took the time to let me catch up or walk at a more comfortable pace for me. They were so knowledgeable and committed to making it an enjoyable experience for all ages represented. We enjoyed a wonderful chat afterwards and would visit again if the opportunity arises. We did not get a chance to visit the museum as it was Sunday and closed but we strolled around the town and found it charming and absolutely interesting too. Thanks for such a welcoming visit!
7. Shere Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
8. Surrey Heath Museum
9. Guildford Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 35 reviews
Guildford Museum is housed in beautiful, historic buildings next to the Grounds of Guildford Castle. The exhibitions are free to visit and include a variety of changing exhibitions, plus a permanent collection of objects dating from prehistoric times.
10. Egham Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By 900Lancasterfamily - Wokingham, United Kingdom
I have always loved Egham. I was raised there. My Mother was a mad keen historian and got me interested. Mr Sidney Oliver, the official local historian used to come to the school to tell us about its history. This lovely little museum has been a long time favourite of mine.
