HRH The Duke of Gloucester Marks 50 Years of Chiltern Open Air Museum

HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Chiltern Open Air Museum alongside the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire to celebrate the Museum’s 50th anniversary.

During the visit, The Duke met primary school pupils from Alder Grove Church of England Primary School, who were taking part in an Anglo-Saxon themed learning day. He observed the children as they participated in an archaeological dig, where they were learning how to analyse and date their discoveries.

With lambing season underway, His Royal Highness also visited the Museum’s Victorian lambing fold, where he met Farm Manager Rachael Maytum. They discussed the Museum’s flock of Oxford Down sheep and their importance to the agricultural heritage of the Chilterns.

The visit continued on the Village Green, where The Duke explored a range of historic structures, including a 1940s post-war prefab home, First and Second World War Nissen huts, and the recently reconstructed 1950s bandstand from Finsbury Circus.

Chiltern Open Air Museum was founded in September 1976 by members of the Historic Buildings Group of the Chiltern Society. It was established to preserve threatened historic buildings that reflect the everyday lives of ordinary people. Skilled volunteers painstakingly dismantled these structures and relocated them to Chalfont St Giles, where they were carefully rebuilt.

Each building tells a unique story, showcasing traditional materials and construction techniques from different periods. Visitors can step inside to discover how people lived and worked, bringing the past vividly to life.

The Museum first opened to the public on 3 May 1981, when 95 visitors braved heavy rain to explore the four-and-a-half buildings that had been reconstructed at the time. Since then, many more buildings have been rescued and restored.

Today, the Museum is a thriving heritage attraction, welcoming more than 50,000 visitors each year and hosting a wide range of events. The recently restored 1950s bandstand from Finsbury Circus is the latest addition, with a further 15 rescued buildings currently in storage awaiting reconstruction.

As part of its anniversary celebrations, the Museum is inviting past and present visitors and volunteers to share their photographs and memories. Submissions can be made via the Museum’s website.

To mark this milestone year, Chiltern Open Air Museum has planned a packed programme of events throughout 2026, including historical re-enactments, family activities, and opportunities to explore nature and heritage.