Traditional Harvest returns to Chiltern Open Air Museum

Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and traditions of the harvest at Chiltern Open Air Museum on 26 and 27 September, from 10am to 5pm.

Visitors can discover how harvest was once celebrated, learn about the history of farming and explore the museum’s traditional working farm. A Ransomes threshing machine will be in action, you can meet the working heavy horses and find out how they helped with traditional farming practices. Visitors can also discover the important role of the sheep dog in managing the museum’s flock of Oxford Down sheep.

Inside the museum’s tin chapel, a traditional harvest display will showcase produce grown in the ‘Dig for Victory’ allotment and elsewhere across the site. Visitors can have a go at apple pressing and buy bottles of apple juice made from heritage apples grown in the museum’s orchards. In the museum’s cottage, bakers will demonstrate how to make a traditional harvest loaf.

There will be plenty more to see and do throughout the day, including colourful Morris dancing, horse and cart rides, and demonstrations of traditional crafts; including flax spinning and traditional woodwork. At the Victorian forge, visitors can discover what the blacksmith is making. In the farm there will be children’s activities with the Three Rivers Museum Trust.

In addition to the Harvest event, visitors can explore the museum’s 45-acre site, go inside historic homes, play in the adventure playground and lots more. The event is suitable for the whole family. Find out more at www.coam.org.uk.