Chiltern Open Air Museum re-opens for 2026 season

Chiltern Open Air Museum (COAM), in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, will re-open its gates for the 2026 season on Saturday 7 March, marking the start of a very special year as the Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Founded in 1976, the Museum has spent five decades rescuing, preserving and re-erecting historic buildings, creating a unique 45-acre site where visitors can step back in time and experience history first-hand.

Throughout the season, you can see historical re-enactments bringing different periods of history to life. Traditional craft demonstrations displaying heritage skills such as blacksmithing, woodworking and textiles. Living history weekends with costumed interpreters across the site and family-friendly trails and hands-on activities.

Over the 4-day Easter weekend, Tudors: Life, Falconry and Folk event is taking place showing historic falconry flying demonstrations and Tudor living history. Explore the tools of the barber/surgeon, learn the craft of the basket maker and loom weaver, try on armour of the era with the man-at-arms and meet the ‘cunning man’ skilled in the preserving of skins. You will also be able to see the Oxford Down lambs born at the museum and can take part in the sheep trail.

Visitors will be able to explore over 30 historic buildings, from Medieval barns, Victorian cottages and 1940s prefab set within beautiful Chiltern countryside.

The 2026 season runs from 7 March to late October, with special events scheduled throughout the spring and summer. Full details of events and opening times can be found at www.coam.org.uk.