This important social and local history collection contains over 10,000 objects. They relate to the history of the area from prehistoric times to the present day. Collection themes include geology, archaeology, fine art, ancient Greek pottery, historic clocks and ironwork from the renowned Chertsey Foundry.

The Borough is strategically located on the south bank of the River Thames, a virtue which has played a key role in its development. As early as the Bronze Age an important metal trading centre developed at Runnymede with links right across the country. The river was a key reason why one of England's most important Medieval Abbeys was founded at Chertsey in the 7th century AD and also why so little of it remains today. The river may have provided fresh water, power and travel, but it also aided the transportation of Abbey materials to other sites after its forced closure in the 16th century. Today the river still plays a part in the lives of local people, though perhaps more in the field of leisure, with many boating clubs and a major water theme park nearby.