Chobham museum

The museum sits bang in the middle of Chobham village, a small local operation that punches well above its weight. Inside you'll find a genuinely decent collection of artefacts charting the area's past - everything from Roman finds to Victorian domestic life, plus plenty about Chobham's role during the Second World War. It's the sort of place where the volunteers actually know their stuff and will chat your ear off if you let them.

This one's ideal for history buffs and anyone with a genuine interest in how ordinary Surrey villages evolved. Kids might manage thirty minutes tops unless they're already hooked on archaeology. The real strength is the local knowledge - you won't get the broad-brush history lesson you'd get at the big museums, but you will understand Chobham itself.

The location works well if you're staying at Warren Farm Home Park or Penton Park in Chertsey, both within easy driving distance. Chertsey itself is only a few miles away, so you could easily combine this with a broader explore of the town and surrounding area. Admission is typically free or very cheap - worth checking ahead as opening hours can be patchy. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're genuinely interested. It's not a grand day out on its own, but it makes a proper rainy afternoon stop or a nice addition to a wider walk around Chobham village.