Chiltern Open Air Museum Says Farewell to 2025
It’s the time of year when we take a look back on the events of the previous months and look forward to the start of the new year.
Our new season starts on Saturday 7 March and many of the events for 2026 are now confirmed. There’s still time for a few announcements before visitors return to our open air museum so watch this space for all the latest news. In the meantime, let’s take a wander through the highlights of last year.
Lambing Season
The opening of the Museum in spring is always a time of anticipation for the new arrivals in the lambing fold. This year the lambing area moved to Thomas’s Field. Our volunteers had done a sterling job re-building the shelter and the shepherds living van had been towed across the village green in autumn to be ready for it’s new home.
A new batch of Oxford Down lambs are expected in spring 2026 - we can’t wait to meet them!
Launching a New App
The launch of our Museum going onto the Bloomberg Connects App allowed visitors to explore the history of our buildings as they walked around the site. QR codes on each building link to the relevant information in the app. Using Google Translate, the details in the app can also be read in many different languages and we have audio guides to discover more about the Museum’s objects - improving accessibility to the Museum collection.
Gladiator Battles then Canons & Cavalry
May saw the return of both Britannia’s Roman gladiators and the Napoleonic Association to the Museum.
The spectacle of the Napoleonic Association’s re-enactment battle was one of the great highlights of the season.
We look forward to welcoming both groups back in May 2026.
National Lottery Heritage Funding
Two new trainees joined the Museum team thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Our Pathways to Heritage project is a four-year initiative is designed to improve accessibility, enhance interpretation, and provide valuable training opportunities in the heritage sector. The trainees will be with us for 18 months, working in Marketing & Events and Collections & Interpretation.
Finsbury Circus Bandstand Re-erected
Rising from the grass of Leagrave Common, the restored Finsbury Circus bandstand was re-erected at the Museum. The structure was officially launched in July by Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.
The bandstand has already proved to be a popular venue during our 2025 events - hosting 1940s singers The Bluebirds during our VJ Day event and a Bollywood Boogie during our Diwali Celebration. Finishing touches are being added to the bandstand during the winter months.
Accompanied Walks & Wellbeing Socials
Our Accompanied Walks provide an opportunity for members of the community who need some encouragement and support, or have little or no opportunity to venture outdoors and interact with other people. This year we provided Accompanied Walks for 198 walkers, bringing the project total to over 900 local people, plus a few dogs!
Funding is in place for the programme to continue next season, with an emphasis on supporting ex- and current service personnel experiencing PTSD.
VE Day & VJ Day 80th Anniversary
The 80th Anniversary commemorations for VE Day and VJ Day at the Museum were boosted by a a VE80 celebrations grant from the UK Government through Arts Council England. The funding enabled the Museum to offer free WW2 workshops to local schools alongside additional events and activities for visitors throughout the summer.
We were proud to host The Longest Yarn 2: Britain at War exhibition during August. This 3D knitted and crocheted artwork was over 60 metres long and depicted famous moments from World War 2. It perfectly complimented our Britain at War multi-period weekend event, talks by Life on the Home Front and our VJ Day themed Terrific Tuesday which all took place the same month.
Awarding Accessibility and Heritage Learning
In May the Museum scooped second place in the Visitor Accessibility Award category and were awarded Highly Commended by the prestigious Museums + Heritage Awards.
Later in the year we were 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.
As the UK and Ireland’s top accolade for heritage learning, the Sandford Award is delivered by Lincoln Bishop University in partnership with the Heritage Education Trust and supported by Historic Royal Palaces.
Valuations with Eric Knowles
Our patron, and well-known antiques expert, Eric Knowles and The Antiques Collective were joined by an eager crowd of visitors in September when they hosted an afternoon of valuations in Thame Vicarage Room. We enjoyed seeing the variety of items brought in and hope to welcome the team back soon.
High Sheriff Visits Our Volunteers
In October we welcomed Pippa Kirkbride, the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, to meet our volunteers.
The High Sheriff spoke to members of the volunteer teams who provide vital support across all areas of the Museum including maintaining the historic buildings & gardens, welcoming members of the public, creating costumes, photographing events, cataloguing the Museum collection and looking after the farm animals.
During her year in the role the High Sheriff is celebrating the power of volunteering, championing and supporting the voluntary sector.
Sharing LGBTQ+ Heritage Stories
Since 2021 Chiltern Open Air Museum’s Campfire Heritage Stories have created a rich tapestry of cultural narratives. To preserve these treasured memories, an oral historian has meticulously recorded them, allowing Chiltern Open Air Museum to share these cultural gems across their digital channels and contribute to the Museum’s growing collection.
In front of a warm and welcoming crowd, representatives from the local LGBTQ+ community shared their stories of challenges and triumphs at the Campfire Heritage Stories event in October. After the storytelling, visitors joined in with some marshmallow toasting around the campfire, and Buckinghamshire’s County and Diocesan Archivist, Daniel Williams introduced their exhibition “Lost Victorian Voices” which is about Victorian identity and sexuality. Part of the exhibition was available to view in the Museum’s Northolt Barn during the Campfire Heritage Stories event.
Diwali Celebration
Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the museum was able to take the celebrations to the next level in October. The support covered everything from new drums for lively workshops, to colourful arts and crafts materials, lighting, sound, and promotion across the community. Part of the Museum’s mission to make local heritage inclusive, engaging, and fun for everyone.
The funding covers Diwali events in both 2025 and 2026 so we’re pleased that our Diwali Celebration will return on 17th October 2026.
Looking to Next Year
Our events calendar for 2026 is growing with many events now confirmed including epic Napoleonic era battles and living history encampments, Viking raids, Rogues and Highwaymen, our Classic Vehicles Show and, of course, Terrific Tuesdays family activities during school holidays. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming events and follow us on socials to find out about daily life at the Museum.