In October 2025, Chiltern Open Air Museum once again welcomed visitors from across the local community to its Diwali Celebration. After the success of last year’s event, the museum was thrilled to host the Festival of Light for the second year running – and this one was even bigger, brighter, and more joyful.

Step back in time at Chiltern Open Air Museum and explore how home life and comfort have evolved through history. From the smoky Iron Age roundhouse and simple timber cottages to the Victorian wychert home and modern 1940s prefab, discover how living conditions changed over the centuries and what “comfort” once meant.

Discover the fascinating story behind Bonfire Night. Learn how the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 inspired centuries of fireworks, bonfires, and community celebrations across Britain. Explore the history of Guy Fawkes and the traditions that light up Buckinghamshire each November.

Explore the story of Walter Jekyll — brother of famed Arts and Crafts garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and friend of Robert Louis Stevenson. His name inspired Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and connects to the Jekyll garden design tribute at Astleham Garden, Chiltern Open Air Museum, where her naturalistic planting style lives on.

Discover the ancient roots of Halloween at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Learn how the Celtic festival of Samhain evolved into today’s celebration of pumpkins, lanterns, and trick-or-treating. Explore centuries of autumn traditions that honour harvest, remembrance, and community as the year turns from light to dark.

Coming to our Halloween Spectacular on 31 October? Dress in costume when you visit and you could win a family annual membership to the Museum. Find out how…

Chiltern Open Air Museum recently welcomed a donation from leading UK professional services consultancy Barnett Waddingham towards our new tree planting project.

Now you can help the Museum revitalise its woodland by donating to the tree planting project.

Yesterday Chiltern Open Air Museum welcomed Pippa Kirkbride, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, to meet its volunteers.

Chiltern Open Air Museum is delighted to announce that we have received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support Diwali celebrations at the Museum in both 2025 and 2026.

The luxury department store Liberty of London is known around the world for its close connection to art and culture but did you know that it has its roots in the Chilterns?

Discover the history of harvest festivities in the Chilterns.

Crimes and their punishments were often utterly bizarre in England until well into the 19th century and were extremely unequal and unfair. We take a look at the British Legal System in the 17th Century and its legacy.

Chiltern Open Air Museum are delighted to be named as one of 19 winners for this year’s Sandford Award, which includes a dynamic mix of museums, historic landmarks and an archaeological park, that are all reshaping how we connect with the past.

The Chiltern Hills have enjoyed sustained prosperity over centuries thanks to a rich blend of geography, geology, and human ingenuity. We explore the origins of the Chilterns and why the area is so special.

Our resident blacksmith tells us the history of the trade and the differences between a blacksmith, a wheelwright and a farrier.

Chiltern Open Air Museum is based within the old grounds of Newland Park in Chalfont St. Giles. We take a look at some of the history of the house and surrounding area including Gott’s Obelisk.