East Surrey Museum

The East Surrey Museum sits in Redhill, a straightforward Victorian town that's seen better days but has its moments. Inside, you'll find the sort of local history collection that rewards a proper poke around - old photographs of the town when it actually mattered as a railway hub, exhibits on the chalk and clay industries that built the place, and enough domestic oddities to keep you occupied for a solid hour or two.

It's the kind of museum that works best if you care about how ordinary people lived rather than expecting grand displays. School groups and retired history enthusiasts seem to get the most from it. The volunteers are genuinely knowledgeable, which lifts the whole experience. Kids under ten might find it a bit thin unless they're already into that sort of thing.

Camping nearby at Alderstead Heath or Milberry Green puts you within easy reach, and frankly, if you're basing yourself in the area for a caravan holiday, it's worth an afternoon visit on a rainy day rather than a standalone trip. Check their opening hours before you go - local museums can be temperamental with their schedules. Admission is likely modest or free, but ring ahead to be sure.

The museum doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't, which is actually rather refreshing. Real local history, properly told, with none of the gloss.