Camilla Edmiston, village coordinator for Oakhurst Cottage, writes: “Good news! Oakhurst Cottage is reopening for the new season on Thursday 13th April 2023″.
This small cottage, owned by the National Trust and run by local volunteer guides, could be described as our Hambledon hidden gem – a cottage in the oak wood – hurst being a Saxon word for wood. It is situated on the edge of Hambledon cricket green. Perhaps you’ve walked past the cottage and wondered about its history.
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit this cottage, it was built in the late 16th to early 17th century. In Victorian times it was lived in by a local agricultural labourer and his family. In the 1950s it was bequeathed to the National Trust with sitting tenants. Then in the 1980’s, after the last tenants passed away, it was realised that, as it was unmodernised, it might be of interest to the visiting public. After negotiation, including with the Parish Council, it was agreed to open as a museum to showcase what it was like to live here in the 19th century for the ordinary working people. It also has an interesting story about young child evacuees from London staying here during World War II.
Following the last couple of tumultuous years, first with the Covid pandemic and then with the structural problems identified in the property last year, it is great that we will have the cottage open for a full season. However, there are a few changes from previous arrangements. Currently, the plan is to open on Thursdays and Saturdays for two tours each afternoon at 2pm and 3.30pm, bookable in advance. These are guided tours for a maximum of 6 people – so a very intimate experience in this small timber-framed property – giving an insight into domestic life here. The cottage will open from April to October.
We are always looking for more volunteers to help with the guided tours. If you think this may interest you, and you would like an informal chat, please contact Camilla Edmiston (email [email protected]). She can talk you through what it involves and explain a little more about the fascinating history. You would work in pairs for each afternoon session. If you would like to volunteer, there is a National Trust application form to complete and then an induction.
To find out more, visit for the first time or just because your last visit was years ago, please book a visit online https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/oakhurst-cottage. Tickets will be on sale from mid-March. We look forward to greeting some of you at the cottage and enlightening you about this little local gem. Come visit!