May Day Merriment at Chiltern Open Air Museum

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Chiltern Open Air Museum

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park

Chalfont St Giles

Chiltern Open Air Museum is an outdoor museum that rescues and reconstructs threatened historic houses or workplaces of ordinary people. Each

Chiltern Open Air Museum Garden

building is then interpreted to tell the unique story of the Chilterns, its people, crafts, history and traditions.

The site is a spacious 45 acres and includes over 30 reconstructed historic buildings including; a 1940s prefab, blacksmiths forge, toll house, Victorian earth cottage, tin chapel, furniture factory, replica Iron Age roundhouse, medieval barns, World War Nissen huts and more. There is a working historical farm with livestock including goats, sheep, chickens and cows.

In addition to the buildings the Museum has a woodland, adventure playground and café. There are lots of annual special events including historical re-enactments and family activity days.

The wide variety of historic buildings means the Museum is a popular filming venue and had been used

for Downton Abbey, Midsomer Murders, Horrible Histories, Mary Queen of Scots, Countryfile, Call the Midwife, Grantchester, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher and more!

Nissen hut

Visit their website for more information: https://www.coam.org.uk

51.634502 -0.543691

Date/Time
Date(s) - Sunday 5 May 2024 - Monday 6 May 2024
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location
Chiltern Open Air Museum

Experience Elizabethan dancing, swordplay, gunpowder and more! Chiltern Open Air Museum sounds like the place to be to celebrate May Day on the Whitsun Bank Holiday Weekend.

More information from the organiser here.

This is what they say…..

During Tudor times, May Day continued to be celebrated as an important festival, rooted in ancient beliefs and traditions. The arrival of May marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring, symbolizing the renewal of life and the return of warmth and sunlight. This transition from the harsh, cold months to a season of growth and fertility was eagerly anticipated and celebrated.

May Day was a time to rejoice and make merry, as people welcomed the arrival of spring and the promise of a bountiful year ahead. It was a time to gather and feast, with communities coming together for large meals and communal celebrations. Food and drink were abundant, and people indulged in merrymaking and revelry.

At this special event, the Suffolk Free Company and Myal Pyper will transport us back in time to the Elizabethan era, giving us a unique insight into the lives and festivities of that period.

Upon the Village Green the May Tree needs preparing, round which, for your enjoyment and to join in with, there will be music and dancing to the finest tunes and the most popular dances of the time. Noise is a big part of the May Day celebration, to awaken Spring, and, further to that end, there will be a display of fire power, featuring the black powder weapons of the day showing just how effective they can be at defeating that old adversary, the cabbage!

The soldiers will lead new recruits (the audience!) of all ages in a military drill, and there will be a display of fine swordsmanship.

In-between, you can wander amongst the encampment and see what is being eaten, drunk, made and mended. There will be sumptuous food being prepared and a variety of crafts people about their business, all for you to engage with or just listen, as you wish, though there will be no broom makers, this is considered extremely bad luck at May Day, as is going fishing!

This May Day event at Chiltern Open Air Museum promises to be an immersive and engaging experience for all ages. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and educational day out, this celebration of Elizabethan life is not to be missed. Join us as we step back in time and celebrate May Day in true Elizabethan style!

Please note that all activities are subject to change and weather. There will be gun fire and canon bangs during displays.