Explore New Skills with Workshops at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Whether you're eager to share an experience with your family or friends or acquire some new skills, our selection of workshops and experience days provide opportunities to learn new and traditional crafts, connect with nature and improve your wellbeing.
Conducted in and around the Museum's historic buildings, our workshops are led by our experienced team, promising a blend of education and hands-on engagement.
Discover our workshops and experience days below or contact us to arrange your workshop.
Workshops at a glance
Blacksmith Experience Day
Our Blacksmith Experience Day takes place in our Victorian forge and is led by an experienced blacksmith. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the traditional blacksmith and make your own simple hand-forged object to take home.
Willow Weaving and Sculpting Workshop
In this experience day you will learn the ancient craft of willow weaving and sculpting and will craft your own creation. The session is led by experienced tutor and willow weaver, Gina Martin. The course is very hands-on and is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
Macrame Workshop
Take part in our Macrame workshop. Macrame is a form of textile art using knotting. It's a versatile craft that can be used to create various decorative items such as plant hangers, wall hangings, and jewellery. This workshop will teach the basics of macrame and guide you in making a plant hanger.
Blacksmith Experience Day
Our Blacksmith Experience Day takes place in our Victorian forge and is led by an experienced blacksmith. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the traditional blacksmith and make your own simple hand-forged object to take home.
Blacksmith Experience Day
Our Blacksmith Experience Day takes place in our Victorian forge and is led by an experienced blacksmith. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the traditional blacksmith and make your own simple hand-forged object to take home.
Photography Workshop
Experience a unique view of COAM with award-winning photographer Matt Writtle.
Join Matt on an experiential photography walk that is designed to enhance your photography skills, appreciation of nature and the history of the museum.
Working with Straw: An Introduction
During this course you will learn a little of the history of straw craft, harvest traditions and the hat trade, through to the decorative uses of today.
Magic of Watercolour Workshop
Our journey begins by exploring watercolour paints and painting techniques and ends in creating a finished work of art to take home and enjoy.
Sew Sustainable Workshop
The Sew Sustainable Workshop is for environmentally conscious people who want to learn how to repair their own and their familyโs clothes without the need for a sewing machine so they get a longer life out of them, and therefore reduce waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Woodcraft Workshop
Join our craft person in residence, David Willis for this 3 hour session where you will learn about the woodlands at the Museum, the safe and effective use of sharp tools, and how to craft a wooden utensil.
Mindfulness Workshop
Our introductory half-day course in Mindfulness offers you an opportunity to learn how to relate more effectively to lifeโs challenges.
Camera Skills Workshop
Over the course of this 4 hour workshop you will discover how to get out of auto mode and capture better images with your camera. With friendly tuition, easy to learn techniques and guided practice photographing our site.
Sewing MachinEase Workshop
Have you been inspired by the BBC programme The Great British Sewing Bee and itching to start making garments? Then book a place on our sewing machine workshop.
Photography Workshop
Experience a unique view of COAM with award-winning photographer Matt Writtle.
Join Matt on an experiential photography walk that is designed to enhance your photography skills, appreciation of nature and the history of the museum.
Macrame Workshop
Take part in our Macrame workshop. Macrame is a form of textile art using knotting. It's a versatile craft that can be used to create various decorative items such as plant hangers, wall hangings, and jewellery. This workshop will teach the basics of macrame and guide you in making a plant hanger.
Willow Weaving and Sculpting Workshop
In this experience day you will learn the ancient craft of willow weaving and sculpting and will craft your own creation. The session is led by experienced tutor and willow weaver, Gina Martin. The course is very hands-on and is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
Sew Sustainable Workshop
The Sew Sustainable Workshop is for environmentally conscious people who want to learn how to repair their own and their familyโs clothes without the need for a sewing machine so they get a longer life out of them, and therefore reduce waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Bronze Casting Workshop
Come and learn how our ancestors made tools and weapons in bronze. We will safely instruct you how to create your own axe head in solid bronze. You will have the choice of three styles, including the axe-head used by 'Otzi'.
Working with Straw: An Introduction
During this course you will learn a little of the history of straw craft, harvest traditions and the hat trade, through to the decorative uses of today.
Camera Skills Workshop
Over the course of this 4 hour workshop you will discover how to get out of auto mode and capture better images with your camera. With friendly tuition, easy to learn techniques and guided practice photographing our site.
Macrame Workshop
Take part in our Macrame workshop. Macrame is a form of textile art using knotting. It's a versatile craft that can be used to create various decorative items such as plant hangers, wall hangings, and jewellery. This workshop will teach the basics of macrame and guide you in making a plant hanger.
Willow Weaving and Sculpting Workshop
In this experience day you will learn the ancient craft of willow weaving and sculpting and will craft your own creation. The session is led by experienced tutor and willow weaver, Gina Martin. The course is very hands-on and is a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
Bronze Casting Workshop
Come and learn how our ancestors made tools and weapons in bronze. We will safely instruct you how to create your own axe head in solid bronze. You will have the choice of three styles, including the axe-head used by 'Otzi'.
Blacksmith Experience Day
Our Blacksmith Experience Day takes place in our Victorian forge and is led by an experienced blacksmith. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the traditional blacksmith and make your own simple hand-forged object to take home.
Sewing MachinEase Workshop
Have you been inspired by the BBC programme The Great British Sewing Bee and itching to start making garments? Then book a place on our sewing machine workshop.
Camera Skills Workshop
Over the course of this 4 hour workshop you will discover how to get out of auto mode and capture better images with your camera. With friendly tuition, easy to learn techniques and guided practice photographing our site.
Blacksmith Experience Day
Our Blacksmith Experience Day takes place in our Victorian forge and is led by an experienced blacksmith. You will learn the skills and basic techniques of the traditional blacksmith and make your own simple hand-forged object to take home.
Finding Us
You can find us just a short drive from Junction 17, M25
Newland Park, Gorelands Lane
Chalfont St Peter HP8 4AB