Chiltern Open Air Museum

About the museum

Chiltern Open Air Museum was founded in 1976 by volunteers from the Chiltern Society and opened to the public in 1981. It is an independent charity that rescues historic buildings in danger of demolition, takes them down and rebuilds them in a traditional Chilterns landscape, where they are preserved and presented to visitors.

The collection concentrates on vernacular buildings, the former homes and workplaces of ordinary people that are gradually disappearing from the countryside. About 37 buildings are on display, spanning the Iron Age to the mid-twentieth century. They include a replica Iron Age roundhouse built from archaeological evidence from Puddlehill near Dunstable, a prefabricated wooden church clad in iron from the hamlet of Henton in Oxfordshire, the so-called little tin church, and a post-war prefab bungalow from Amersham, built to ease the housing shortage after the Second World War.

The 45-acre site also has a working historic farm with sheep, goats and chickens, traditional gardens, a Dig for Victory allotment, woodland and an adventure playground. A programme of events, living history, heritage crafts and workshops runs through the year, and the museum is a popular location for film and television, including Downton Abbey.

The museum receives no government funding. It relies on admission charges, membership, hire and filming income, school visits, catering, shop sales and donations, and in 2026 it is raising funds to build a new Iron Age roundhouse. It has been recognised for accessibility, winning a commendation in the Tourism South East Beautiful South Awards in 2024.

Highlights

• More than 30 historic buildings rebuilt on site, from the Iron Age to the 1950s
• Replica Iron Age roundhouse and the Henton tin chapel
• Amersham prefab bungalow from the 1940s
• Working historic farm with sheep, goats and chickens
• Natural playground and sensory trail
• Heritage crafts, events and living history days

Permanent exhibitions

• Historic buildings – About 37 historic buildings from the Iron Age to the mid-twentieth century, rebuilt on the museum's site.
• Farm, gardens and nature – A working historic farm, traditional gardens, a Dig for Victory allotment and woodland.

Founded

1976

Operated by

Chiltern Open Air Museum (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

The prices shown are the lowest, for pre-booked standard days, and include a voluntary 10% donation. Premium days are peak event days and Terrific Tuesdays. Annual members enter free, including on premium days. Gardener's World 2 for 1, NHS staff 2 for 1 and Historic Houses membership offers are valid on standard days only and can be used only at the ticket office. A family guide book costs £3.50.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is a large outdoor site with gravel paths that can be muddy and are not ideal for wheelchairs, and the Woodland Walk is not suitable for wheelchairs. Ramps lead into some buildings, such as the prefab, Henton Mission Room, WWI Nissen hut and Borehamwood cattle byre, but some buildings are small or historic and not fully accessible. There is a Changing Places toilet near the entrance, an accessible toilet with an adult changing bed at the far end of the site and accessible toilets at the mid-site Bakerloo toilets. Blue Badge spaces are close to the entrance. Off-road wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed free with a deposit (booking advised), though scooters cannot go inside the buildings, and staff can give lifts on a golf buggy. Sensory backpacks with ear defenders and a sensory trail are available, and portable loops are installed at the ticket office and Skippings Barn. Assistance dogs may enter all historic buildings. An access guide can be downloaded.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The museum describes itself as a family-friendly day out, with a natural playground by the village green, a farm with animals, a family room with indoor play space in the High Wycombe Furniture Factory, a sensory trail and family learning resources. Special family days include Terrific Tuesday craft days and festivals. Buggies are welcome and most buildings have ramps, though a few are too small for prams; paths are gravel. Baby changing is in the accessible toilet at the mid-site Bakerloo toilets and in the Changing Places toilet.

Getting there & parking

The museum is a short drive from junction 17 of the M25, within the Newland Park development about 100 m down the driveway marked by a large green Newland Park sign (what3words ///goats.affair.goad). Coaches are advised to approach from Chalfont St Peter because the lane from the Maple Cross direction is narrow.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The café in the historic Skippings Barn serves hot and cold food, coffee, smoothies and cake and has adapted cups and cutlery. There are plenty of picnic benches around the site, including adapted tables for wheelchairs and buggies. The shop sells traditional products, books, craft kits and items made on site such as pressed apple juice. Dogs on short leads are welcome, including in historic buildings other than the furnished homes. The site is smoke-free and vape-free, and drones are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The historic buildings and grounds can be hired for weddings, private parties, corporate days and film and television shoots. Enquiries go to weddings@coam.org.uk.

Plan your visit