Boxing Day in the Chilterns: A Tradition Rooted in History and Community
Boxing Day, celebrated on 26 December, is a much-loved part of the British festive season. Today it’s associated with brisk countryside walks, leftover turkey, sport on the television and a spot of shopping. But the history of Boxing Day goes back centuries and is deeply rooted in ideas of charity, community and rural life - values that mean a lot to us here at Chiltern Open Air Museum.
The name “Boxing Day” is thought to come from the tradition of alms boxes kept in churches. These boxes collected donations for the poor throughout the year and were opened on the day after Christmas. In many villages across Buckinghamshire, churches played a central role in caring for local communities, especially during the harsh winter months. Boxing Day was a time when those who had more could help those who had less – a reminder of the strong social bonds that characterised rural life in the Chilterns.
Another popular explanation links Boxing Day to servants and tradespeople. In large houses, including the grand country homes once common across Buckinghamshire, servants worked hard on Christmas Day while their employers celebrated. Boxing Day was their chance to rest, visit family and receive a “Christmas box” – a gift of money or goods in thanks for their service. These customs reflect the historic working lives of people in the Chilterns, from estate workers to domestic staff, whose stories are an important part of the region’s heritage.
Boxing Day traditions have also long been tied to the countryside. In rural areas like the Chiltern Hills, it was a popular day for walking, socialising and enjoying the landscape. Long before modern leisure pursuits, villagers would gather outdoors, making the most of fresh air after the indulgence of Christmas Day. This connection to the land remains strong today, with Boxing Day walks still a cherished tradition across Buckinghamshire’s rolling hills, ancient woodlands and historic villages.
Boxing Day traditions offer a fascinating window into everyday life of the past. The museum’s historic buildings, many rescued from across Buckinghamshire and the surrounding Chilterns, tell the stories of ordinary people who lived and worked in the region. While exploring these buildings we can remember how families marked the festive season, shared food, exchanged gifts and supported one another through winter.
Today, while Boxing Day may look a little different, its heart remains the same. It’s still about community, generosity and taking time to enjoy our surroundings.