…We’re Going Underground 

There is so much to see and do for this year’s ‘Going Underground’ theme. Take your pick from what’s happening in our museum, gallery and heritage venues – then head to Visit Surrey for more events, podcasts and surprising Surrey facts!

Saturday 9^th May

9.30am-3.30pm      Artist Talks at Surrey History Centre, Woking
Welcome to a rich programme of talks on Surrey artists Helen Allingham, Sidney Sime, the Russell family and England’s Vermeer, Leonard Campbell Taylor. A Surrey Local History Committee event. Please book in advance. Tickets available at
Link: www.surreycc.gov.uk/heritageevents
Location: Surrey History Centre, 130 Goldsworth Road, Woking GU21 6ND

10am-4pm      Village at War at The Rural Life Living Museum,Tilford (All ages)
Step into 1944 at this thrilling event to experience life in a small village on the eve of D-Day, with authentic re-enactors, military vehicles, live music, jive dancing, and even an air raid. Explore wartime life, training troops, and bustling camps in an unforgettable immersive day out. Perfect for famiies and history lovers!
Link: Village At War | Rural Life Living Museum
Location: Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL

10am-11.15am      Military Cemetery Tour at Brookwood for Surrey Day
Discover the stories behind a historic military cemetery on this unique guided tour from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and American Battle Monuments Commission. Begin with World War I insights from ABMC Guide Beth, then explore its World War II history with CWGC Guide Gareth. A rare chance to experience two perspectives in one visit. Meet at Canada House inside the cemetery entrance.
Link: Events | Brookwood Cemetery
Location: Brookwood Military Cemetery, Dawny Hill, Pirbright, GU24 0JB

10am-12 noon      What Have You Found? Finds ID at Guildford Museum
Have you come across an interesting archaeological object while out walking or using a metal detector? Bring your find along to our identification session and learn more about it with our Surrey Finds Liaison Officer, Simon Maslin.
Link: www.guildford.gov.uk/whatsonatguildfordhouse
Location: Guildford Museum Castle Arch Quarry Street GU1 3SX

10am-4pm      Coin Identification at Bourne Hall Museum, Ewell
Drop in and meet coin specialist, Ian Franklin. Bring your own coin discoveries or just come and talk to him about coins that have been found in the area. Free event.
Link: www.bournehall.org
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

10am-4pm      Godalming Unearthed for Surrey Day at Godalming Museum
On Surrey Day, come and explore our exhibitions and displays to unearth the unique history of the area, from prehistoric and Witley Camp archaeology to the story of The Titanic’s Jack Phillips, as well as artefacts from Gertude Jekyll, one of the most influential garden designers in history. For children, there will be a Jekyll-themed craft activity painting plant pots and planting sunflower seeds. And why not enjoy a cup of tea in our walled garden designed in Jekyll’s style.
Link: Godalming Museum
Location: 109a High St, Godalming GU7 1AQ

10am-4pm      Fluidity and Inscription Exhibition at Crafts Study Centre, Farnham
Linking to Surrey Day ‘Going Underground’, come and discover calligraphy by the designer of the London Underground typeface Edward Johnston as part of the Crafts Study Centre’s current exhibition on the power of writing and mark-making on paper, stone, ceramics, textiles and wood. The Crafts Study Centre is the home of the complete Edward Johnston archive.
Link: Current Programme — Crafts Study Centre
Location: Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS

10am-5pm  Dare to Go Bunkers at Brooklands  
Something lies beneath Brooklands Museum. This Surrey Day, dare to go underground, beneath the legendary Test Hill, wartime bunkers were built to protect the people who kept Britain flying. Come and explore this hidden history and untold stories. Entry fees apply.
Link: Plan Your Visit: Tickets, Times & Info | Brooklands Museum
Location: Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0SL.

10.30-3.30pm      Hidden in Stone – Dorking’s Dinosaur Discovery Exhibition
Come and find out the story of Baryonyx, the ‘Dorking Dinosaur’, and its impact on our understanding of a whole new class of dinosaur. View huge scale models of the skulls of Baryonyx and the Mantellisaurus that lived in the same swampy area, and a model diorama of the swamp environment. This exhibition is in collaboration with the Gostling Evolution and Paleobiology Lab at the University of Southampton. All welcome.
Link: www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk
Location: The Old Foundry, 62 West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS

10.30am-3.30pm      Vintage Day at Dorking Museum (Family Event)
Dorking Museum will be joining in Vintage Day with an activity for all the family: “One Day Every Home Will Have One of These!” Come and explore vintage typewriters, record players, tills, calculating machines, torches, cameras, telephones and other household equipment as advertised at a 1950s homes of the future exhibition in Dorking Halls. All welcome, no need to book.
Link: www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk
Location: The Old Foundry, 62 West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS

10.30am-4pm      Explore East Surrey Museum, Caterham
On Surrey Day’s Going Underground theme, come and explore our displays and discover the history of East Surrey. You’ll find local archaeology Roman and medieval artefacts, as well as past inventions and curiosities. Free entry and hands-on activities available for children.
Link: Plan Your Visit – East Surrey Museum
Location: 1 Stafford Rd, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6JG

11am-12noon      Archaeology of Bourne Hall at Bourne Hall, Ewell.
Join Ian West for a walk and talk exploring the Bourne Hall site. You will discover its history and the archaeological finds that lay beneath which helped to tell us its unique story. Must book in advance as limited places are available. £6.50 per/ticker
Link: www.bournehall.org
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm      Dorking South Street Cave Tours
Meet at the War Memorial on Dorking’s South Street for a fascinating guided cave tour.
Tickets from Dorking Museum website.
Link: www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk

11am-12.30pm      Hidden Dorking Historic Walk with Dorking Museum
A guided walk through lesser-known parts of Dorking and discovering hidden features along the way.
Link: Dorking Museum booking page for tickets
Location: Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre, 62 West Street, Dorking, RH4 1BS

11am-3pm      Underground at Chilworth Manor Vineyard
Drop in to the vineyard for a laid-back outdoor bar and four short talks about underground activity past and present from local experts on vines, rootstocks, water systems, the gunpowder mills and ‘Tin Town’. No ticket required.
Link: Going Underground at Chilworth Vineyard
Location: Chilworth Manor Vineyard, Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth, Guildford, GU4 8NN

12noon-3pm      Fossil Fun at Guildford Museum (Ages 6-11)
Come and handle some fossils and discover what used to be under our feet millions of years ago! From shark teeth to crystals, you can see up close how the environment, and life itself, has evolved over time and how exactly things come to be fossilised.
Link: www.guildford.gov.uk/whatsonatguildfordmuseum
Location: Guildford Museum Castle Arch Quarry Street GU1 3SX

1pm-2.30pm      Be An Archaeologist at Bourne Hall Museum (Kids Club 8-12yrs)
Come along and find out what an archaeologist does. You can take part in trowelling for objects in sand and learn how to record and draw them. £6.50
Link: www.bournehall.org
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

2.30-3.30pm   The Mysterious Discovery of the Epsom Aurochs at Bourne Hall Museum
In January 2023, the remains of a nearly complete 3,500-year-old aurochs were discovered on Epsom Downs.  The aurochs was a 1.8m tall wild ancestor of modern cattle and these finds provide crucial information on prehistoric British life. See the bones and discover more in this talk by Pre-Construct Archaeology. £6.50
Link: www.bournehall.org
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

Sunday 10^th May 

10am-4pm      Village at War at The Rural Life Living Museum, Tilford (All ages)
Step into 1944 at this thrilling event to experience life in a small village on the eve of D-Day, with authentic re-enactors, military vehicles, live music, jive dancing, and even an air raid. Explore wartime life, training troops, and bustling camps in an unforgettable immersive day out. Perfect for famiies and history lovers!
Link: Village At War | Rural Life Living Museum  Please check for full details.
Location: Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DL

2pm-3.30pm      Betchworth Castle Guided Tour with Dorking Museum
Come and enjoy a guided tour of the ruins of Betchworth Castle with access to the castle enclosure.
Link: Dorking Museum booking page for tickets
Location: Park on the circular road opposite Hillier Garden Centre Dorking, A25 Reigate Road, Brockham, Dorking, RH4 1NP

2pm-4.30pm      Sime Underground at The Sime Gallery (Families welcome)
Continuing the Surrey Day theme ‘Going Underground’, come and step into the extraordinary imaginative world of one of Britain’s most original Victorian artists. Once a child labourer in Yorkshire coal mines, Sidney Sime first sketched eerie creatures underground – images that later shaped his art. Come and explore Sime’s work through an illustrated talk, an art trail, fun quizzes and activities. Tea served all afternoon. All ages welcome. Parking and toilets are available.
Link: Surrey Day – “Going Underground” – Sime Gallery Please check for full details.
Location: Sidney H. Sime Gallery, Worplesdon Memorial Hall, Perry Hill, GU3 3RF

Exhibitions open on Saturday 9^th May 

9.30am-5pm      Saxon Spelthorne at Spelthorne Museum in the Staines Library Hub
Linking to the Surrey Day ‘Going Underground’ theme, Spelthorne Museum has a new display featuring the most comprehensive review to date of evidence that has been discovered over the years about life in Saxon Spelthorne. Spelthorne originated over 1000 years ago as one of the ‘Hundreds’ of Middlesex. Come and see the display and enjoy visiting our museum upstairs in the new Staines Library Community Hub.
Link: Staines Library Hub | Elmsleigh
Location: Staines Library Hub, Elmsleigh Centre, Staines, Middlesex TW18 4QB

Secrets of Bourne Hall Exhibition at Bourne Hall Museum
Have you ever wondered what stood here before the Bourne Hall of today? What stories lie beneath the soil and echo across the grounds? Come and see for yourself in our temporary exhibition during normal opening hours.
Link: www.bournehall.org
Location: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF

10am-4pm      Fluidity and Inscription Exhibition at Crafts Study Centre, Farnham
Full description above.
Weblink: Current Programme — Crafts Study Centre
Location: Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS

10am-4pm      Black Atlantic Makers Exhibition at Crafts Study Centre, Farnham
Open for Surrey Day, come and visit the Black Atlantic Makers exhibition. Tapestry of Black Britons, an evolving artwork, is a collaborative, craft-centred initiative celebrating and documenting little-known strands of British history through textile art. It is the centrepiece of Black Atlantic Makers: Conversations exhibition. The large textile work will be displayed alongside pieces by Black makers represented within the four material areas of the Crafts Study Centre’s collections – ceramics, wood, textiles and calligraphy – and loans from other public and private collections.  Free entry.
Link: Current Programme — Crafts Study Centre
Location: Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts Crafts Study Centre, University for the Creative Arts, Falkner Road, Farnham Surrey GU9 7DS

Roman Cobham Exhibition from Elmbridge Museum on display at Cobham Library
In 1942, the remains of a Roman bath house were discovered at Chatley Farm, on the outskirts of Cobham. In this exhibition from Elmbridge Museum we explore local Roman life, work, culture and practices. You can see it online here: Roman Cobham – Elmbridge Museum: Elmbridge Museum Website and on display at Cobham Library during library opening times. Free entry.
Link: Cobham Library – Surrey County Council
Location: Cobham Library, The Cedar Centre, Cedar Road, Cobham, KT11 2AE

If you’re in the area…

Why not pick a museum or gallery you’ve never visited before and discover new stories and treasures about Surrey. See our Quick list  and Map on the Home page, or Explore Our Museum pages. Check individual websites for visitor details to avoid disappointment.