Chiltern Open Air Museum Highly Commended at Awards

The Museum + Heritage global awards, which are now in their 23rd year, took place on Thursday 15 May at Hilton Park Lane, London, to celebrate the absolute best in the world of museums, galleries, and cultural and heritage visitor attractions.

Chiltern Open Air Museum, in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, scooped second place in the Visitor Accessibility Award category and were awarded Highly Commended. The winner of the Accessibility Award was the Wellcome Collection and other shortlisted museums were Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Collection Trust, and The National Galleries of Scotland.

COAM were Highly Commended for the many improvements that they have made on-site to improve accessibility and welcome. This includes the addition of an adult changing facility, sensory backpacks, school SEN provision and outreach activity that has helped to generate a 50% increase in concession visitors to the museum.

Martin Curtis, Chief Executive at the Museum said, ‘It was wonderful to receive this recognition from the Museum + Heritage Award judges. The team have worked so hard on making Chiltern Open Air Museum as accessible as possible. There is still more to do and this award helps to galvanise that continued effort.’

You can find out more about the work that Chiltern Open Air Museum is doing at www.coam.org.uk.