Set in a rather picturesque 45 acres of Bucks countryside, the Chiltern Open Air Museum (COAM to those in the know) is a fabulous museum ‘en plein air’ with a lot packed into one site including over 30 historic buildings from across the ages – we’re talking genuine old structures that were taken apart and piece-by-piece moved to the current site. The selection includes a cottage from Haddenham, a toll house from High Wycombe, multiple barns, and a church from near Chinnor, among many others, all painstakingly restored, full of fascinating details and open for exploring.

Stepping into each one is like a taste of time travel – it’s a fab way to engage kids in history and perfect for those littlies who don’t want to read info boards indoors. Here, kids can meander through time, burn off some energy, learn a little and play a lot. The whole vibe is super relaxed and immersive, with characters dressed in period costume and interactive displays of skills like spinning wool and basket weaving

Alongside the costumed actors and demos, the museum has a lively and imaginative events programme with something on each weekend plus Tuesdays during the holidays. This summer promises a classic vehicle show with vans, motorbikes, classic beauties and more (20 & 21 July), music festivals from opera to the Bucks Music Trust’s Summer Festival with local orchestras, choirs, big bands, string ensembles, pop bands, and more (7 July), heritage crafts, guided walks, and historical re-enactments (little (and big) kids will want to get August Bank Holiday’s Viking Raid in the diary).

COAM also has an entire working farm (all rare barnyard breeds), an adventure playground, and various gardens including a dig for victory allotment and cherry and apple orchards. And easy to miss a little off the beaten track, make sure you don’t miss the Iron Age fort – an impressive reconstruction that brings history off the page.

Open Sat 9 March 2024 – 31st Oct 2024; open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays and daily in Bucks school holidays, 10am to 5pm. Dogs are welcome on site on a lead and while there’s no café, drinks and snacks are available to buy. Ticket prices here.