The Chiltern Open Air Museum is a captivating outdoor heritage attraction nestled in the scenic Chiltern Hills. You can explore historic buildings spanning centuries, from the 16th to the 20th century, and step back in time.
Haddenham Croft Cottage
This cottage pictured above was originally built in Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, in the 1840s. The cottage was at risk of demolition in the 1970s. It was saved and brought to the Chiltern Open Air Museum where rebuilding started thirty years later in 2007.
The Fern Garden
Haddenham garden pictured below was planted in 2020, with vegetable and herb garden on one side and flowers and shrubs on the other side, that would have typically been grown in a garden at this time.
This is where Springbridge Multi Purpose Topsoil has been used to help create the Fern Garden - containing all the essential plant nutrients as well as vital trace elements and a wetting agent to retain essential moisture.
Ferns were part of a great Victorian craze, Pteridomania (pterido being Latin for ferns) - a huge love affair in Britain between 1840s and 1890s. āFern madnessā invaded all aspects of Victorian life, with motifs appearing everywhere, in homes, gardens, art and literature.
How can I help preserve the Chiltern Open Air Museum?
37 rescued buildings have been re-erected to date, spanning 2,000 years of Chilterns architecture.
15 buildings remain in store, awaiting funds for their re-erection ā click here to donate: https://coam.org.uk/support-us/donate/