Chiltern Open Air Museum
Chiltern Open Air Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Sue D
    16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Exploring back in time...
    We had a brilliant day here, plenty to do and see. Carparking lots of spaces. Came here the Mayday and was lovely to see various activities going on. Friendly and helpful staff. Excellent value for money we felt... And lots of picnic tables around. We didn't eat on the restaurant as too our own. Thank you for such a magnificent day.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 April 2023
  • Peter F
    Orpington, United Kingdom31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Always a Good Day Out.
    We've been to Chiltern Open Air Museum for two of their event days now, Vikings and Traditional May Day Festival and on both occasions it hasn't disappointed. There is plenty of activities scheduled throughout the morning and then repeated in the afternoon. Between or before, there is plenty to walk around and see in the museum, especially the recreated historic buildings and a walk through the woods.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 June 2023
  • linden-s
    High Wycombe, United Kingdom340 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great for kids of all ages
    I took my two grandsons (5 and 12) here for a visit. I didn't have high expectations, especially for the older grandson, but they both loved it. So much so, I paid the additional cash in order to get an annual pass for us and added my granddaughter as well. One further visit will pretty much pay for the entire pass so anything else will be free of charge. There were several activities (clay, cave painting, fire starting etc) and the grounds are vast, with lots of buildings of various ages which are interesting, and stuff in the woods such as charcoal burning and wood turning. We were there for several hours. Only one criticism which won't apply to us ever again - the cafe on site is hopelessly inefficient with very long queues (friendly staff though) - too small and extremely expensive (£2 for 330ml of water, £3.50 for a smallish sausage roll). However there are loads and loads of tables and seats all around the place outside. Next time we'll take our own picnic and I'll then give a perfect rating.
    Visited August 2023
    Written 3 August 2023
  • Julie C
    Rickmansworth, United Kingdom98 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great historic day out
    Multi Period Weekend I visited COAM today to support a couple of family members who were involved in this multi period event . We were charged £15 each to get in which, having visited before I thought a little steep. However I later apologised to the ladies in the ticket office because the fee was worth every penny . Excuse my lack of history but we had world war 1 and 2 , Archers , Jousters,Crimean , and a few more plus the usual kitted our houses . We had a lovely tea a brownie in the barn . We watched a jive lesson , a horse demo and some impromptu singing . The sun shone after a day and a half of rain . Dogs are welcome on leads . Lovely day out
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 August 2023
  • antoncarth
    High Wycombe, United Kingdom630 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A nice museum
    This museum is a hidden gem in Buckinghamshire. Unfortunately it’s not quite famous attraction, but will not let you down if you pass the entrance. There are around fifteen renovated houses who shows traditional old professions people used to do 100 years ago. Duration of visit from 1 to 2 hours. It’s also pet friendly and available for kids. Definitely a place I strongly recommend.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 August 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles298 reviews
Excellent
165
Very good
96
Average
22
Poor
4
Terrible
11

Steve J
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Business
I was part of a disabled group invited to assess how their disabled facilities.

They got a thumbs up from the group and also appreciated the other thoughts we had too.
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pam L
Bedford, UK41 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Many interesting buildings depicting different times in history, including some working exhibits and interactive games .
Fantastic range of places to picnic, and on site cafe it weather is not suitable for picnics.
Written 21 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AlinaRC
Hertfordshire1 526 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
Chiltern Open Air museum is a great day out, whether you are local to the area and want to find out more about its past, or visiting from further away and want something a bit off the main tourist trail. It has a really friendly, relaxed feel, with staff and volunteers making history accessible.

The outdoor museum consists of about 35 buildings that have been rescued, and brought to the site over the past 40 years. These are in a parkland setting with woodland walks, farmland and orchards. The buildings are grouped - so some farm buildings form a farmyard, while at Wood End traditional workplaces mean you can explore the furniture and woodworking traditions of the Chilterns.

The site is very well maintained, with reasonably good access, considering the constraints of the historic buildings. The main paths are all surfaced, and it is still a very worthwhile place to visit with limited mobility. Its good to check out the programme for any special events - the day we were visiting there was costume making in the school room, where volunteers where making costumes for other volunteers. In Haddenham Croft Cottage, a costumed volunteer explained about the unusual design and building materials, and how the cottage was used over time. While in the woodland ' bodgers' - traditional wood turners - were demonstrating their craft.

While much of the history is 'old' there are some within living memory - the post-war prefab, complete with vegetable garden, and the 1970s child's bedroom. While almost all of the buildings have been moved there, a few are recreations from scratch, including and iron age round house.

On the practical side there is a cafe on the village green, and in peak season a restaurant is also open at Wood End. The cafe serves a limited but tasty menu of cakes, hot drinks and lunches, including soups and sausage rolls. Vegetarian and vegan choices available. Public transport access is very limited, and involves a taxi from Chorleywood station.
Written 2 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Analemmatic
Balsall Common, UK120 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
Great little museum, a fascinating range of buildings with lots of interest, from iron age roundhouse to medieval barns to post war prefabs
Good cafe as well - enjoyed our lunch there
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

antoncarth
High Wycombe, UK630 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
This museum is a hidden gem in Buckinghamshire. Unfortunately it’s not quite famous attraction, but will not let you down if you pass the entrance. There are around fifteen renovated houses who shows traditional old professions people used to do 100 years ago. Duration of visit from 1 to 2 hours. It’s also pet friendly and available for kids. Definitely a place I strongly recommend.
Written 27 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SueFaleiro
23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Family
So glad to be a member. Such a charming place to visit. Love the event days. Good place to remind kids how to live simple.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Julie C
Rickmansworth, UK98 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Multi Period Weekend

I visited COAM today to support a couple of family members who were involved in this multi period event .
We were charged £15 each to get in which, having visited before I thought a little steep. However I later apologised to the ladies in the ticket office because the fee was worth every penny .
Excuse my lack of history but we had world war 1 and 2 , Archers , Jousters,Crimean , and a few more plus the usual kitted our houses .
We had a lovely tea a brownie in the barn . We watched a jive lesson , a horse demo and some impromptu singing .
The sun shone after a day and a half of rain .
Dogs are welcome on leads .
Lovely day out
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

linden-s
High Wycombe, UK340 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023
I took my two grandsons (5 and 12) here for a visit. I didn't have high expectations, especially for the older grandson, but they both loved it. So much so, I paid the additional cash in order to get an annual pass for us and added my granddaughter as well. One further visit will pretty much pay for the entire pass so anything else will be free of charge. There were several activities (clay, cave painting, fire starting etc) and the grounds are vast, with lots of buildings of various ages which are interesting, and stuff in the woods such as charcoal burning and wood turning. We were there for several hours. Only one criticism which won't apply to us ever again - the cafe on site is hopelessly inefficient with very long queues (friendly staff though) - too small and extremely expensive (£2 for 330ml of water, £3.50 for a smallish sausage roll). However there are loads and loads of tables and seats all around the place outside. Next time we'll take our own picnic and I'll then give a perfect rating.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sharon W
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Family
Really enjoyed our trip to the museum. Interesting buildings and information well set out. Knowledgable building guides when we encountered them- maybe could have been a few more. Had lunch in the cafe which was good and not bad value. Lots of families with children using the play areas and running around. Lovely relaxed feeling. Dog friendly which was great. Plenty of seating. Only one downside was the people in the entrance shop. They didn’t speak to welcome us, didn’t try and be helpful or speak as we left. We aren’t chatty people and don’t require a massive interaction- however we felt unwelcome.
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter F
Orpington, UK31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
We've been to Chiltern Open Air Museum for two of their event days now, Vikings and Traditional May Day Festival and on both occasions it hasn't disappointed. There is plenty of activities scheduled throughout the morning and then repeated in the afternoon. Between or before, there is plenty to walk around and see in the museum, especially the recreated historic buildings and a walk through the woods.
Written 23 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CHILTERN OPEN AIR MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Chiltern Open Air Museum

Chiltern Open Air Museum is open:
  • Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00


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