Camberley Museums, Landmarks and Local History

Surrey Heath Museum, the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre, parks and a listed church, with the short history of how Camberley began.

Surrey Heath Museum, at 33 Obelisk Way inside The Square, has free entry and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4.30pm. Camberley itself grew from the army colleges of the 19th century: it was known as Cambridge Town until 1877. Other sights include the Basingstoke Canal at Mytchett and the Grade II listed St Michael's church.

Camberley.co Editorial3 October 2026

Surrey Heath Museum

The museum is at 33 Obelisk Way, Camberley, in The Square shopping centre. The council's museum page says it is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4.30pm, with enquiries to museum@surreyheath.gov.uk or 01276 23771. The museum's website says entry is free, and describes:

permanent displays on local history, with archaeology, geology, local commerce, military history and natural history
recreations of a World War I kitchen, a World War II air raid shelter and parlour and a 1970s office, and pieces of 125 London Road with its architectural drawings
changing exhibitions; when we looked, '9 to 5' covered the area's industrial past from the 1950s
a Heritage Gallery on the first floor, with talks on Thursday lunchtimes (12:30 to 1:15pm) and local art and crafts
walks and talks, usually 6pm to 7:30pm, at £4 for walks and £3.50 for talks unless stated

The site says the museum has existed since the 1930s, first as Camberley Museum and renamed Surrey Heath Museum in 1984, and that the collection holds up to 40,000 objects. It is next to Main Square car park; see our parking guide.

Basingstoke Canal, Mytchett

Surrey County Council's visitor information page describes the Basingstoke Canal as running from near New Haw to Greywell in Hampshire, 32 miles. The Visitor Centre car park is on Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett GU16 6DD, and is free.

As published by the council: visitor centre and shop open Tuesday to Friday 10.30am to 4.45pm and weekends and school holidays from 10am in summer (April to September), and Tuesday to Thursday 10.30am to 4pm and Friday 10.30am to 3.45pm in winter, closed at weekends. The page also said boat trips, kayaks, rowing boats and pedalos were not running because of low water levels when we read it. Check it before you set out.

Parks

Frimley Lodge Park: the council describes a 24 hectare site with a cafe, two playgrounds, sports pitches, a community garden, and a miniature railway open on the first Sunday of each month.
Lightwater Country Park: per the council's parks page, a 59 hectare park of mostly heathland with ponds, woodland and meadows.

A short history

Wikipedia's Camberley article gives this undisputed background. The area was sparse heathland until the Royal Military College was built at Sandhurst in 1812, and a settlement grew nearby. The Staff College opened to the east in 1862, and the nucleus of Cambridge Town was laid out around the same time. The Basingstoke Canal was completed in 1794, and the Ascot to Aldershot line brought Camberley station in 1878. The Post Office assigned the name Camberley on 15 January 1877, to avoid post going to Cambridge.

St Michael's Church, Yorktown

Historic England's list entry lists the Church of St Michael York Town, London Road, at Grade II, first listed on 19 July 1984. The entry says it was built 1849 to 1851 by H. Woodyer, with arcades and aisles in 1858 to 1859 and a tower added in 1891.

More to do

For family days out see our things to do with kids guide, and for current shows and talks our events guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Surrey Heath Museum free?

Yes. The museum's website says free entry. It is at 33 Obelisk Way, Camberley, and open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am to 4.30pm.

What is in Surrey Heath Museum?

Permanent displays on local history, including a World War I kitchen, a World War II air raid shelter and parlour and a 1970s office, plus changing exhibitions and a first floor art and craft area.

Why is the town called Camberley?

Wikipedia says it was Cambridge Town until the General Post Office assigned the name Camberley in 1877, to stop mail being misdirected to Cambridge.

Where is the Basingstoke Canal Visitor Centre?

Mytchett Place Road, Mytchett GU16 6DD, with a free car park. Surrey County Council publishes the visitor centre opening times.

What is Frimley Lodge Park?

A 24 hectare Surrey Heath Borough Council park with a cafe, two playgrounds, sports pitches and a miniature railway that the council says runs on the first Sunday of each month.

Is there a listed building in Camberley?

Historic England lists the Church of St Michael York Town, London Road, at Grade II. It dates from 1849 to 1851, by H. Woodyer, with a tower added in 1891.