Autumn Apples: Orchards, Folklore and the Story Behind the Harvest
Why does an apple tree produce a bumper crop one year and very little the next? Explore the fascinating story of autumn apples, from biennial bearing and orchard wildlife to wassailing, old superstitions, food storage and traditional apple pressing.
Disraeli: Famous People of the Chilterns
Discover the story of Benjamin Disraeli, from his unconventional route into politics to his life at Hughenden Manor and his close relationship with Queen Victoria.
Bandstands or Band Houses? A Musical History
Have you ever wondered where bandstands came from — or why they were once called band houses?
Today, a bandstand might bring to mind sunny afternoons in the park, live music, picnics and perhaps a spot of dancing. But these much-loved features of our parks and public spaces have a fascinating history stretching back more than 160 years.
Celebrating Roald Dahl Day
Discover the story of Roald Dahl, from his early life and wartime experiences to his years in Great Missenden and the Chiltern landscapes that helped inspire his famous books.
Funding from The Finnis Scott Foundation for a New Toll House Fence
We are delighted to have been awarded a grant of £2,834 from The Finnis Scott Foundation to allow us to create a new picket fence around our Toll House garden.
Ransome’s Thrashing Machine
Discover the fascinating history of COAM's threshing machine and learn how this piece of agricultural engineering transformed farming in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. From the traditional processes of threshing and winnowing to the arrival of mechanised harvesting, explore the machine's role in rural life, its restoration at the museum, and how visitors can still see it in action during special events.
Enid Blyton: Famous People of the Chilterns
Enid Mary Blyton (1897–1968) was one of the most prolific and successful children’s authors of the twentieth century. Best known for The Famous Five, Noddy and The Magic Faraway Tree, we explore Enid Blyton’s life, her connections to Buckinghamshire and the Chilterns, and the enduring legacy of her stories.
Book Readings & Author Q & A Sessions at Britain at War
Chiltern Open Air Museum is known for the detailed displays, authentic living history encounters and family friendly activities at its Britain at War event every summer. This year there will also be book readings and Q & A sessions from three authors across the Britain at War weekend of 8 & 9 August.
John Nash: Famous People of the Chilterns
If you've ever wandered through the farms and landscapes of the Chiltern Hills and wondered who managed to capture their quiet beauty so perfectly, the answer is often John Nash.
Probably most well known for his life as a battlefield artist, we explore John Nash’s life in the Chilterns.
Buildings in Storage: Princes Risborough Pigsties
Victorian pig keeping was once an important part of everyday rural life, helping working-class families make use of food scraps and provide meat for the winter months. Discover COAM’s nineteenth-century pig sties from Town Farm in Princes Risborough — preserving a valuable reminder of small-scale farming, self-sufficiency and local social history.
Embark on a Magic Faraway Tree Adventure This Summer at Chiltern Open Air Museum
This summer holiday, kids and their families are invited to take part in a free activity at Chiltern Open Air Museum. The Magic Faraway Tree Museum Adventure is a free spotter trail from Kids in Museums and Blyton Books celebrating Enid Blyton’s much loved children’s book series, which has recently inspired a hit family film.
Wife Selling: Weird Customs of the Chilterns
While the buying and selling of wives was not common it was not unknown. In our latest blog we look at some notable cases related to the Chilterns.
Church Ales: Medieval Merriment & Parish Fundraising
In Medieval times Church Ales were a combination of merry-making, food, drink, dancing and games. An important source of revenue for parishes, they were common in the South of England. Discover more about these events and learn why ale is different to beer.
Why COAM is a Great Place to Bring Your Dog
We know that your dog is part of the family when you visit our open air museum. They are even part of our team! Several dogs often accompany members of staff during their working day and we love it when doggies come to visit.
The English Civil War and the Chilterns
Last weekend saw the ‘Aylesbury Raiders’ attack a royalist stronghold as part of our English Civil War weekend. In today’s blog we delve deeper into the history of the English Civil War in the Chilterns.
Roses at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Here at Chiltern Open Air Museum we know that summer is on the way when the roses start to bloom. As you venture around the Museum site this June you’ll see many different types of roses in our traditional cottage gardens.
A Brief History of Bread Baking: From the Iron Age to the 20th Century
Bread baking was a constant feature of life in our historic homes, from the Iron Age roundhouse to the 1940s prefab and now Museum volunteer Jenny Templeton gives us an introduction to the history of bread baking.
Celebrating World Bee Day
Looked after by a local beekeeper, the hives on our site provide the honey we sell in the Museum shop and the bees act as pollinators for our gardens and crops.
Traditional Bread Baking Using an 18th Century Brick Built Oven
On selected days during the year you’ll find our volunteers Jenny and Steve baking bread in the Museum’s 18th Century Leagrave Cottage. This fascinating process produces tasty warm loaves, fresh from the brick built oven.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester Marks 50 Years of Chiltern Open Air Museum
HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Chiltern Open Air Museum to celebrate its 50th anniversary, alongside the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire.
Finding Us
Newland Park, Gorelands Lane
Chalfont St Peter HP8 4AB