Museum of Farnham

The Museum of Farnham sits inside the Maltings building in the town centre, and it's genuinely worth an hour of your time if you're staying nearby. The collection focuses on local history - pottery, archaeological finds, documents about the town's brewing and malting heritage. It's all quite intimate, the kind of place where you can actually read the labels without feeling rushed.

You'll get the most from this if you're interested in Surrey's industrial past or medieval history. The pottery collection is surprisingly strong. Kids under ten might find it a bit dry unless they're already keen on old things, but teenagers studying local history would find proper material here.

Admission is free, which removes any sting if you're only stopping for 45 minutes. The building itself - a Victorian malthouse conversion - is half the appeal. Go on a weekday morning if you can, when it's quiet enough to actually think.

If you're based at Tilford Woods Lodge Retreat just down the road, this makes a decent wet-weather option or a break from the outdoor stuff. Farnham town has reasonable pubs and cafes nearby, so you could easily combine it with lunch. The museum won't blow your mind, but it's solid local work and free entry means there's no regret if you decide to leave early.