Description
Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by 45 acres of beautiful countryside at Chiltern Open Air Museum—a wedding venue unlike any other. This outdoor museum features over 30 rescued and carefully restored historic buildings, offering a charming, vintage-inspired setting perfect for couples who love history and rustic elegance. Whether you’re dreaming of a countryside celebration or a unique, story-filled day, this venue’s authentic character and stunning landscape set the stage for unforgettable memories.
Ceremony and Reception Spaces
The museum is licensed for civil ceremonies in seven distinctive historic buildings, each with its own special charm. From rustic barns to rare architectural gems, you’ll find the perfect spot to exchange vows and celebrate with your loved ones.
- Historic Barns: Choose from three beautiful timber-framed barns—Northolt Barn, Skippings Barn, and Arborfield Barn. These spaces offer a classic rustic vibe, blending history with natural beauty.
- Unique Structures: For something truly one-of-a-kind, consider the Iron Age Roundhouse, the only venue of its kind in the UK licensed for weddings. Other options include the quaint Henton Tin Chapel and a charming Victorian Toll House, each adding a distinctive touch to your ceremony.
Planning Your Day
Chiltern Open Air Museum offers dry-hire, giving you full control to create a wedding that reflects your style and budget. You’re free to bring in your own caterers, florists, and other suppliers—no restrictions, no corkage fees. Whether you want an intimate ceremony in a single historic building or a lively festival-style celebration using multiple spaces and a marquee, this venue adapts to your vision.
The Setting and Experience
With 45 acres of picturesque grounds, woodlands, and a working farm, the museum provides a stunning and quirky backdrop for your wedding photos and celebrations. The variety of historic buildings and natural scenery offers endless opportunities to create a relaxed, immersive experience that your guests will remember for years to come.
Experience
Overview of Chiltern Open Air Museum
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Venue Details
Wedding Catering
Reviews (3)
- TThebeddys14/04/2023Beauitful venue for such a lovely weddingBeauitful venue for such a lovely weddingBeauitful venue for such a lovely wedding. Amazing place and surroundings. All voluntary people oversee this venue and amazing job they do.Beauitful venue for such a lovely wedding. Amazing place and surroundings. All voluntary people oversee this venue and amazing job they do.
- LLeon C14/04/2023We held our wedding here and booked a tour for our guestsWe held our wedding here and booked a tour for our guestsWe held our wedding here and booked a tour for our guests. It's a really casual low key venue nothing over manufactured. Lots of picnic areas and space for children to run around. We appreciated the free water bottle filling station. We had a great day here.We held our wedding here and booked a tour for our guests. It's a really casual low key venue nothing over manufactured. Lots of picnic areas and space for children to run around. We appreciated the free water bottle filling station. We had a great day here.
- RRosie25/06/2022Victorian Toll House weddingVictorian Toll House weddingWe wanted a small relaxed wedding with our (small) budget being spent on what mattered to us. I also wanted a gorgeous building, only us for the actual ceremony and a relaxed, bring and share vibe for the food without me or our guests doing the work! The Victorian Toll House was just wonderful. It's a very budget friendly price if you can do a weekday which meant we could splash out on a tour of the museum and lunch and cream tea in the herb garden. It was all done by the museum team which gave me the homemade vibe I was after, without the work or dealing with outside suppliers. Everyone said it was the best wedding they'd been to in years because it was so relaxed and they felt able to really enjoy themselves. We wanted a small relaxed wedding with our (small) budget being spent on what mattered to us. I also wanted a gorgeous building, only us for the actual ceremony and a relaxed, bring and share vibe for the food without me or our guests doing the work! The Victorian Toll House was just wonderful. It's a very budget friendly price if you can do a weekday which meant we could splash out on a tour of the museum and lunch and cream tea in the herb garden. It was all done by the museum team which gave me the homemade vibe I was after, without the work or dealing with outside suppliers. Everyone said it was the best wedding they'd been to in years because it was so relaxed and they felt able to really enjoy themselves.
Location & Contact Details for Chiltern Open Air Museum
What makes Chiltern Open Air Museum a unique wedding venue?
Chiltern Open Air Museum offers a distinctive wedding experience by combining 45 acres of beautiful countryside with over 30 rescued historic buildings. This setting provides a vintage-inspired, rustic atmosphere perfect for couples who appreciate history and natural elegance, making your celebration both unique and memorable.
Where is Chiltern Open Air Museum located?
The museum is located at HP8 4AB, Chalfont Saint Giles, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. Its picturesque countryside surroundings provide a tranquil and charming backdrop for weddings.
What types of ceremony spaces are available at Chiltern Open Air Museum?
The museum is licensed for civil ceremonies in seven historic buildings, including:
- Three timber-framed Historic Barns: Northolt Barn, Skippings Barn, and Arborfield Barn.
- The Iron Age Roundhouse—the only UK venue of its kind licensed for weddings.
- The quaint Henton Tin Chapel.
- The charming Victorian Toll House.
Each offers a unique and charming atmosphere for your ceremony.
Can we have both the ceremony and reception at Chiltern Open Air Museum?
Yes, Chiltern Open Air Museum accommodates both ceremonies and receptions across its various spaces. You can choose single or multiple historic buildings and even utilize outdoor areas for marquee-style celebrations, adapting to your preferred wedding style.
Does Chiltern Open Air Museum provide catering services?
The venue operates on a dry-hire basis, which means you have complete freedom to bring in your own caterers, florists, and other suppliers. There are no restrictions or corkage fees, allowing you to tailor every detail to your preferences and budget.
Is Chiltern Open Air Museum suitable for outdoor weddings?
Absolutely. With 45 acres of grounds including woodlands and a working farm, the museum offers a stunning outdoor setting for your wedding. The natural scenery complements the historic buildings, delivering a relaxed and immersive experience.
Are there any unique or rare wedding venues within the museum?
Yes, the Iron Age Roundhouse is a one-of-a-kind venue licensed for weddings in the UK. Its prehistoric design offers an unforgettable and truly distinctive ceremony backdrop.
Can we customize our wedding day at Chiltern Open Air Museum?
Yes, the dry-hire model means you have full control to create a wedding that reflects your style and vision. Whether you desire an intimate celebration or a lively, festival-inspired event, the venue's versatile spaces make this possible.
What kind of wedding atmosphere can the museum accommodate?
The museum can host weddings ranging from intimate, vintage-inspired gatherings in historic buildings to vibrant, festival-style celebrations across multiple venues and marquees. This flexibility ensures your wedding atmosphere perfectly matches your personality and desires.
Is Chiltern Open Air Museum a good choice for wedding photography?
Yes, the combination of authentic historic buildings, beautiful countryside, woodlands, and a working farm provides countless picturesque and quirky backdrops ideal for wedding photography, helping capture your special day beautifully.
