Chiltern Open Air Museum

Founded by volunteers in 1976, The Chiltern Open Air Museum opened to the public in 1981. It rescues threatened historic buildings, which would otherwise be demolished, and rebuilds and preserves them for everyone to enjoy. The collection focuses on the buildings which ordinary people would have lived and worked in- and judging by the comments from other visitors- everyone has their favourite!

The collection has grown from Hill Farm Barn, the first building dismantled and rebuilt in the museum, to the 37 rescued historic buildings which are now spread across the site. I used to volunteer here, working in the shop with my mum when I was much younger, so it was a real pleasure to return and see how much the museum has developed.

One of the collection highlights is the Amersham prefab, one of 46 on the Finch Lane Estate in Amersham. These buildings were ready made in a factory, taken to a site and then put together, used as a solution to a housing shortage after the Second World War. As I was wandering round here, a family, whose mother used to live in one of these, were reminiscing, enjoying sharing all their memories.

Families were gathered around the village green where their children were playing and various crafts were being demonstrated across the site- blacksmithing, spinning and working with amber. With excellent cake on offer at Skippings Barn, there is plenty to do, see and enjoy at the museum, making it a lovely day out!

Chiltern Open Air Museum

Newland Park Dr,

Gorelands Ln,

Chalfont St Peter,

Chalfont Saint Giles

HP8 4AB