As part of the VE80 celebrations grant from the UK Government through Arts Council England we are offering 5 schools a FREE trip to COAM to experience a WW2 themed workshop on a strictly first-come, first-served basis providing the trips occur before January 2026. As well as offering the sessions totally free, we can also contribute a bursary of up to £500 to pay for travel.

Calling all photographers! You could see your images of the Chilterns on display in one of our historic buildings by entering our photo competition.

June is Pride month - celebrating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and communities. COAM champions inclusivity through our Heritage Stories project, collecting stories from members of the Chilterns community; often a reminiscence sparked by one of our rescued buildings or an object from the Museum's collection.

Chiltern Open Air Museum scooped second place in the Visitor Accessibility Award category and were awarded Highly Commended at the Museums + Heritage Awards.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe the Museum remembers World War 2 and the impact on the people of the Chilterns with a series of events and exhibitions throughout the year.

This May half term, embark on a fun spotter trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum as part of the Shrapnel Boys: Life on the Home Front Museum Trail, organised by Kids in Museums and Usborne. This national family trail is inspired by Shrapnel Boys, a forthcoming novel by award-winning children’s author Jenny Pearson, publishing to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Finger post signs, also known as guideposts or directional signs, are freestanding structures with a vertical post and multiple arms, each pointing in a different direction and displaying text or symbols to guide pedestrians and motorists. 

The sign that originally pointed out the routes on Gorelands Lane was donated to the Museum and had been in our collections storage until early this year. Now its had a new lease of life.

Learn about heritage hops growing. Discover the new willow sculpture nature trail and explore our woodland as we enter bluebell season.

Chiltern Open Air Museum is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a grant of £239,949 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support its Pathways to Heritage project. This four-year initiative is designed to improve accessibility, enhance interpretation, and provide valuable training opportunities in the heritage sector.

For many years, women were not allowed into the professions and yet they performed a key role in the running of a household and a family. Their craft skills often provided much needed income for the family and women also worked alongside their husbands in small family businesses.