Our 7th Chilterns Heritage & Culture Festival
Taking place from Thursday 12th September to Sunday 29th September, 2024
We have something for everyone – walks, talks and exclusive tours showcasing the rich and diverse heritage and culture which has shaped and continues to shape this ever-changing region. Explore new places or discover a new side of old favourites. The full programme of events is listed below.
Heritage is not just the past, it’s a living, breathing part of everyday life that’s just waiting to be discovered!
We hope you enjoy our range of events, as well as supporting heritage in the Chilterns, by attending you are also helping us to protect this special place now and in the future.
Festival Programme 2024
Thursday 12 September
Wonders Of The Dark Sky
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Woodoaks Farm
£10 pp Please note that if cloudy on Thursday 12.09 this event will take place on Friday 13.09 only book if you are able to attend both dates. The Chiltern
Saturday 14 September
Guided Tour of Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Tiggywinkles
£10 pp Join us on a visit to the world famous Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital in Haddenham. This specialist hospital is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of all British wildlife.
Saturday 14 September
Private Tour of John Lewis Partnerships Odney Grounds
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
John Lewis Partnership Heritage Centre
£7.50 pp THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED John Spedan Lewis first purchased land in Cookham in 1926, with the revolutionary purpose of creating a country club retreat for the
Sunday 15 September
Private Tour of Penn House
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Penn House
SORRY - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED £15 pp Enjoy a guided tour by Earl and Countess Howe to explore the rich history of Penn House and the successive
Monday 16 September
Guided Tour of Berkhamsted Castle
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Berkhamsted Castle
£10 pp Enjoy a guided tour of this much-loved Norman motte and bailey castle. Hear about its fascinating history and all those who resided there until the late 15th century
Monday 16 September
Walk and Cream Tea – The Wendover Way with The Wendover Canal Trust
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Halton Club House
SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED £12 pp Join the Wendover Canal Trust on this guided walk using the newly surfaced towpath from Halton to Wendover. See the Wendover
Monday 16 September
Homefires & Havens - A Talk at Amersham Museum
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Amersham Museum
£10 pp Enjoy an insightful talk by local historian Alison Bailey, as she shares the experiences and achievements of the local community, especially women, in Amersham during the 1940s. Refreshments
Tuesday 17 September
Chilterns Landscape Walk & Talk
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Whitehill Cross Car Park
£7.50 pp Join our Head of Conservation on a guided, general interest walk through two of the Chilterns finest nature reserves. You will be introduced to a diverse range of
Tuesday 17 September
Private Tour of Chenies Manor House
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Chenies Manor
£25 pp Join us on this private, guided tour of Chenies Manor House, a grade II listed Tudor house and garden steeped in history, that overlooks the Chess Valley. It
Tuesday 17 September
Heritage Tour of Old Tring
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Tring Local History Museum
£10 pp SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. Join us on a tour through the historic market town of Tring with our guide and former mayor, Tim Amsden. We
Wednesday 18 September
Dorney Court – Private Connoisseurs’ Tour
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Dorney Court
£33 pp Enjoy a fabulous tour of Dorney Court, a stunning Tudor Manor House and home to the Palmer family for over 500 years. The experienced and informative guides will
Wednesday 18 September
Planning Talk: Water - A Planning Perspective
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
White Hill Centre
£7.50 pp This talk will look into the issues the Chilterns area faces in tackling the water crisis in housing and infrastructure development and explore options for the future. The
Wednesday 18 September
Tour of Chinnor Windmill
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
White Fields
£7.50 pp This unique mill in Oxfordshire was demolished in 1967 but is being steadily rebuilt by volunteers with the aim of grinding flour again. Enjoy a guided tour of
Thursday 19 September
Private Tour of Bledlow Manor Gardens, Carington Estate
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bledlow Manor House
£19.50 pp THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT Join us on this private tour of Bledlow Manor gardens, 12 acres of diverse garden that utilises a mixture of different terrain
Thursday 19 September
Hilary Bradt - Taking the Risk
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The White Hill Centre
£7.50 pp This year marks the 50th anniversary of Bradt Guides, the world's leading independent travel publisher. Join Hilary at this talk as she relives the engaging, insightful, amusing and
Thursday 19 September
Private Tour of Quainton Mill
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Quainton Mill
£20 pp Join us on an exclusive visit to this 188-year-old mill that sits proudly above the green in the picturesque village of Quainton. Over the last 7 years a
Thursday 19 September
A 'Behind-the-Scenes' Visit to Tring Natural History Museum
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tring Natural History Museum
SORRY - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED £15 pp This exclusive visit is back due to popular demand! Step behind the scenes and explore the museum's world-renowned bird collection.
Friday 20 September
Ashridge History Walk
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre (Meet at the Monument at Ashridge)
£7.50 pp Join us for a 5.5 mile walk that will start at the National Trust Visitor Centre and will take you past Ashridge House, where the walk leader will
Friday 20 September
Stanley Spencer Walk & Gallery Visit
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Stanley Spencer Gallery
£14 pp Join Ann Danks and our own walks leader, Andrew Clark, for an easy stile-free four mile walk around beautiful Cookham, seen through the eyes of Stanley Spencer, the
Friday 20 September
Guided Walk of Ewelme Watercress Beds
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Ewelme Watercress Beds
£7.50 pp Join us on a guided walk of Ewelme Watercress Beds, which has been owned by the Chiltern Society since 2001 and is conserved beautifully by our volunteers. A
Saturday 21 September
Private Tour of Lindengate
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Lindengate
£12 pp We are thrilled to invite you to a private tour at this beautiful, converted allotment. Lindengate, which is 10 years old this year, is a leading Nature based
Monday 23 September
Hemel Hempstead Old Town Walk
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Gadebridge Park Car Park (Free)
£7.50 pp Join us for a historic tour of Gadebridge Park and Hemel Hempstead Old Town where the buildings have retained the atmosphere of a pre 1960s High Street. With
Monday 23 September
Glamersham - A Talk at Amersham Museum
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Amersham Museum
£10 pp From dinner dances and theatre outings to weddings and trips to London, this fascinating talk by Museum Director, Briony Hudson explores how and why Amersham residents dressed their
Tuesday 24 September
British Schools Museum – Tour and Victorian Lesson
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
British Schools Museum
£15 pp Enjoy a personalised tour of this unique educational museum based in original Edwardian and Victorian grade II listed school buildings. Browse the vast and varied collection at the
Tuesday 24 September
Supper & Walk at Dusk - College Lake
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
College Lake Nature Reserve
£25 pp Join us at College Lake Nature Reserve near Tring, The flagship reserve of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. The visit begins with supper – shepherd’s pie
Wednesday 25 September
National Paralympic Heritage Centre Tour
10:30 am - 11:30 am
National Paralympic Heritage Trust
£15 pp Joining the excitement of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympics we have arranged a private tour of the Heritage Centre where the charity aims to enlighten and inspire future
Thursday 26 September
Nether Winchendon House Private Tour
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Nether Winchendon House
Join a private tour of this enchanting Medieval and Tudor Manor House deep in the Buckinghamshire countryside, where time stands still. Nether Winchendon House is a stunning country manor house
Thursday 26 September
Bekonscot Model Village – Exclusive After Hours Tour
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Bekonscot
£20 pp During this private event you’ll have exclusive access to the village, see it lit up at dusk and go behind the scenes of the world’s oldest model village.
Thursday 26 September
Milton's Cottage Private Tour
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Milton’s Cottage
£12 pp 2024 marks the 350th anniversary of Milton's death and we invite you to explore his remarkable legacy at his only surviving residence. It was in this 16th century
Thursday 26 September
Drawing Evening with Jane Peacock
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Amersham Museum
£15 pp Join experienced artist and tutor, Jane Peacock at Amersham Museum where you will be able to draw heritage items from the museum’s collections with guidance from the artist.
Friday 27 September
Chiltern Ridge Tour
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Old Sax Lane
£7.50 pp This exclusive tour will show you how this local family run farm produces apple juice. BOOK NOW
Friday 27 September
Tour of Lacey Green Windmill
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Lacey Green Windmill
£7.50 pp This is the oldest surviving smock mill in England and has an Engineering Heritage Award. In use until 1915, some of the timber machinery dates to the 1600's.
Saturday 28 September
The Great Chiltern Come & Sing
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Deans Hall
£10 pp Carmina Burana live at Berkhamsted School. Come and enjoy the Great Chiltern Come & Sing Choir performing Carmina Burana in the historic setting of Deans Hall, Berkhamsted School. Singers from
Sunday 29 September
Trail Run - Whiteleaf Hill
10:30 am - 12:45 pm
Princes Risborough Train Station
A group trail run through the magical woodlands of Whiteleaf Hill Nature Reserve. This route will take us on an undulating 15k loop around the surrounding footpaths including a section
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