Events & Activities
Spring History Walk – Watlington Hill
Watlington Hill NT Car ParkJoin Tim Horton, a former Lecturer and speaker, for a history (and some flora and fauna) walk on Watlington Hill. Tim will discuss many special features for wildlife of this famous 'outrider' to the Chilterns. He will also take up the hill's place in history for observation and the role of ancient tracts that have […]
Half term chalk stream discovery walk – Under 5’s River Chess discovery walk (for toddlers and their carers)
Chesham Moor 501 Waterside, CheshamSORRY - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Please email lucydavies@chilternsociety.org.uk if you would like to be added to the reserve list. Join us over half term on this chalk stream discovery walk. After a short introduction we will have a walk along the river suitable for families with young children. We will spot wildlife […]
Half term chalk stream discovery walk – Family River Chess Discovery walk (activities aimed at 5’s and over)
Chesham Moor 501 Waterside, CheshamSORRY – THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Please email lucydavies@chilternsociety.org.uk if you would like to be added to the reserve list. Join us over half term on this chalk stream discovery walk. After a short introduction we will have a short walk along the river suitable for families with children. We will spot wildlife and look […]
Tour of Redbournbury Watermill & Summer Stroll
Redbournbury Water Mill Redbournbury Lane, St Albans, HertfordshireSORRY - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Please email lucydavies@chilternsociety.org.uk if you would like to be added to the reserve list. Join us for a tour of Redbournbury Watermill, with 1000 years of milling history, followed by a beautiful summer country stroll. During the tour you will hear a brief introduction about the Mill […]
Organised Walks – Gadebridge, Herts (‘Movers’ – a slightly more brisky pace)
Meet at the Gadebridge Lane free car park (turning off the A4146 Leighton Buzzard Rd), Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3HZ. A 5.5 mile figure-of-eight walk heading out across open fields to Waters End with fine views towards the Ashridge Estate, returning alongside the River Gade to the village of Piccotts End, and to finish […]
Chiltern Open Air Museum – Private Garden Tour (Thur 22nd Sept, 2.30pm-4.30pm)
Chiltern Open Air Museum Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St GilesJoin this private tour of the Chiltern Open Air Museum (COAM). There are four distinct gardens at COAM and one vegetable garden/’dig for victory’ allotment. They all have a slightly different character intended to reflect the building they are adjacent to, from a Gertrude Jekyll inspired garden for Astleham Manor cottage to a herb garden […]
Ford End Watermill – Private Tour and Demonstration – (Sun 25th Sept, 3pm-4pm)
Ford End Mill B488 Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard, BucksJoin us on a private tour of Ford End Watermill. Ford End is a small farm mill, which has produced flour and animal feed for centuries. Although clear evidence of its early existence on the site has not been found, a possible reference to it was made in a document of 1232. It was later […]
Story of the BFI National Archive at Aston Clinton 1939 – 1987 (Thurs 29th Sept, 7pm-9pm)
Aston Clinton Baptist Church The Fire Room at The Bell Pub. London Road, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, BucksThe British Film Institute National Archive is one of the largest archive of its kind in the world. It began as the National Film Library in 1935. Four years later it was located in Aston Clinton and moved to Berkhamsted in 1987. As such it is very much part of our Chiltern Heritage. This Festival […]
5th Anniversary Celebration of the Chilterns Heritage Festival (Sun 2nd Oct, 4.15pm)
St Mary the Virgin, Drayton Beauchamp Church Lane, Drayton Beauchamp, Aylesbury, BucksWe end 2022 Chiltern Heritage Festival celebrating five years of our increasingly successful festival at St Mary's church Drayton Beaucham. There will be readings, music and a special celebration cake. The theme will be “renewal” and the way the society strives to support nature and the beauty of the Chilterns today and for generations to […]
Ancient Woodland Walk – Bottom Wood (NEW DATE Mon 3rd Oct, 10am-1pm)
Bottom Wood Old Dashwood Hill, Near Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, United KingdomNew date arranged due to the Queen’s funeral and the Bank Holiday. Join us on a walk to look at the ancient & historic features found in this Chiltern Society nature reserve. From strip lynchets, a holloway, an old well, sawpits and more, this is not to be missed by history and nature enthusiasts alike! […]
Woodland Fungi Walk
Whiteleaf & Brush Hill Peters Lane, Princes RisboroughSORRY - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Please email lucydavies@chilternsociety.org.uk if you would like to be added to the reserve list. Come and discover the wonderful world of mushrooms, toadstools and other fungi which are thriving at this time of year! Join us on this hunt through Whiteleaf Hill Nature Reserve lead by expert […]
Guided walk along the River Misbourne – NEW DATE (postponed from 14th Aug)
Little Missenden Village Hall Little Missenden Village Hall, Little MissendenHelp celebrate 25 years of the Chalk Streams Project with a guided walk along the River Misbourne! Join Andrew Clark and Haydon Bailey from the Chiltern Society Rivers and Wetlands Group for a 3 mile river walk along the Misbourne to Shardeloes Lake and back. Learn about the Misbourne’s geology and how human activities have […]
Autumn Colours Ramble at Ashridge
Ashridge House Ashridge, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, United KingdomSorry the wording different from the listing in Chiltern magazine. Lunch is actually included in the price and the start and finish is from Ashridge Management College not the Bridgewater […]
Pre-Christmas Work Party, Ewelme Watercress Beds
Ewelme Watercress Beds High Street, Ewelme, Oxfordshire, United KingdomCome and join the Chiltern Society Volunteers for a special pre-Christmas work party at the beautiful Watercress Beds at Ewelme, this Saturday, 3rd December. We will be pollarding the willows trees, clearing weeds from the watercress beds and bagging up compost. As a reward, the Friends of the watercress beds will be serving mince pies and mulled […]
Needle Felted Penguin Workshop
Little Heath Farm Nursery Little Heath Lane, Potten EndWe are excited to invite you to join the creative duo Bergin & Bath for a festive morning of needle-felting in a cosy barn hidden away in Ashridge forest at Little Heath Farm Nursery. They will be showing you how to make a needle-felted penguin decoration, which you can use to decorate your home this […]
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Holly & Ivy Flowers Model Farm, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, BuckinghamshireCome and get festive with Holly & Ivy Flowers and learn how to make a fresh and beautiful Christmas door wreath. The session will finish with mulled wine and mince pies, which is included in the price, along with all fresh materials and decorations. Equipment and apron will also be provided.
Needle Felted Scandi Gnome Workshop
Little Heath Farm Nursery Little Heath Lane, Potten EndWe are excited to invite you to join the creative duo Bergin & Bath for a festive morning of needle-felting in a cosy barn hidden away in Ashridge forest at Little Heath Farm Nursery. They will be showing you how to make a needle-felted gnome decoration, which you can use to decorate your home this […]
Aston Clinton Household Recycling Centre – Site Tour
Aston Clinton Household Recycling Centre College Rd N, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury, BucksWe are delighted to offer visitors the chance for a tour of Aston Clinton Household Recycling Centre. The tour will be led by the Education Manager who will guide the group around the recycling facility and explain what happens to the materials collected. You will see the plant in full operation and have the opportunity […]
Keeping Chiltern Chalk Streams Flowing – Affinity Water Webinar
OnlineKeeping Chiltern Chalk Streams Flowing Join us on 30th January at 6.30pm to hear about Affinity Water's plans to take pressure off our chalk streams. Doug Hunt, Affinity's Head of Water Resources Planning, will take us through schemes that will bring water from other regions to provide a sustainable supply of water into the future. […]
Online Presentation – Introduction to Citizen Science Surveying in the River Chess Catchment
The Chess Smarter Water Catchment Project is hosting a FREE introduction to ecological, water quality & restoration volunteering in the Chess catchment. The evening’s online presentation will include results of the surveys carried out to date, information on social events they have planned to engage citizen scientist in the local community (every other month in […]
Energy from Waste Facility – Overview & Tour
Greatmoor Energy from Waste Greatmoor Road | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire | SATNAV POSTCODE, Woodham, Aylesbury, BuckinghamshireAfter successful tours in 2020 and 2021, we are delighted to offer one final chance to visit and to learn all about energy from waste at this amazing facility. Greatmoor Energy from Waste takes household non-recyclable waste from throughout Buckinghamshire, diverts it from landfill and uses it to generate enough electricity to power 18% of […]
Energy from Waste Facility – Overview & Tour
Greatmoor Energy from Waste Greatmoor Road | Aylesbury | Buckinghamshire | SATNAV POSTCODE, Woodham, Aylesbury, BuckinghamshireAfter successful tours in 2020 and 2021, we are delighted to offer one final chance to visit and to learn all about energy from waste at this amazing facility. Greatmoor Energy from Waste takes household non-recyclable waste from throughout Buckinghamshire, diverts it from landfill and uses it to generate enough electricity to power 18% of […]
Country Ramble and Pub Lunch – Swyncombe Snowdrops
Ewelme Recreation Ground Car Park High Street, Ewelme, OX10 6PGThis walk will take you to see the wonderful display of snowdrops and aconites at St Botolph’s Church in Swyncombe and experience the exhilarating views over Oxfordshire from the old hillfort on Swyncombe Downs. The walk will be around 5.5 miles with a total ascent of around 200m. Some sections of the paths and tracks […]
Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Marlow Common (North) Marlow, Buckinghamshire, United KingdomWalks at this beautiful time of the year will never be the same again if you come along to our Foraging day with Fred Gillam (aka Fred The Forager). Fred has been foraging for his supper for over 3 decades and will show you exactly what you can safely pick, what to avoid, how to […]
Ashridge Bluebell Walk and Lunch
Ashridge House Ashridge, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom£15 The National Trust Estate at Ashridge is one of the best places in the country to see bluebells in spring although it is difficult to predict when they will […]
Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Marlow Common (North) Marlow, Buckinghamshire, United KingdomWalks at this beautiful time of the year will never be the same again if you come along to our Foraging day with Fred Gillam (aka Fred The Forager). Fred has been foraging for his supper for over 3 decades and will show you exactly what you can safely pick, what to avoid, how to […]
HS2 across the Chilterns – 6th Update (Online Presentation and Discussion)
On Line (Zoom) Call-in details to followTHIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. THE TALK WILL BE RECORDED AND THEN BE AVAILABLE TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE. To follow on from the fifth event in January 2023, we are pleased to invite you to the sixth in a series of updates, showing the impact as HS2 continues across the Chilterns. Construction is well under […]
Hitchin Lavender Experience
Hitchin Lavendar Cadwell Farm, Ickleford, Hitchin, Herts, United Kingdom£14 Hitchin Lavender is a stunning lavender farm nestled in the North Chilterns and is DEFINITELY worth a visit. With around 25 miles of lavender rows, as well as sunflowers and other wild flowers grown on the site, visitors would be forgiven for thinking that they were in the depths of rural Provence, rather than […]
Trail Day – The Ridgeway from Coombe Hill to Whiteleaf Hill
Wendover Memorial Hall Wharf Rd, Wendover, AylesburyA beautiful social run that follows the iconic section of The Ridgeway to Coombe Hill and along to Whiteleaf Hill. You will aim to complete this route together in 2h15. […]
Afternoon Tea & History Talk at Missenden Abbey
Missenden Abbey London Road, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire£30 Adult BOOKINGS FOR THIS EVENT HAVE NOW CLOSED. Join us for an elegant afternoon tea at the famous Missenden Abbey, a Medieval Abbey dating back to the 12th Century and nestled in the heart of the Chiltern Hills. With Vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows, you will be transported through time while indulging in a […]
Visit to Tring Police Station and Museum
Tring Police Station 63 High Street, Tring, HertsSORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED £7.50 Adult Herts Police’s oldest functioning police station is throwing open its doors to Chiltern Society guests as part of the 2023 Chiltern Society Heritage & Culture Festival. Tring Police Station – which is over 100 years old – welcomes you to its mini-museum. As the oldest working […]
Chair Making Museum Tour
Kraftinwood Kraft Village, Grafton Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom£7.50 Adult. BOOKINGS ARE NOW CLOSED. Join us on a tour of the Museum where they will explain the process of the wonderful chair making heritage here in High Wycombe where they made 4,700 chairs a day in 1875!!!!! You’ll learn how the Bodgers worked in the Chiltern Beech woods making the round chair parts […]
Watercolour Workshop – A Chiltern Sunset
Chesham Town Hall Chesham£25 Adult SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. It doesn’t matter if you haven't picked up a paint brush recently or are a beginner, join us! This is an event not to be missed. Jay is a professional artist, illustrator and award winning tutor, Jay will show you step by step how to create […]
McAlpine Estate – Fawley Hill Private Railway and Museum Tour
McAlpine Estate Fawley Hill, Fawley, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom£20 Adult SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. This event is a visit to Fawley Hill which is the country estate of the late Sir William McAlpine, and home to his unique private railway and museum. The visit includes a guided tour and (depending on weather) a short ride behind a diesel locomotive down […]
Private Tour of Taplow Court, House and Gardens – Group 1
Taplow Court Taplow Court Grand Culture Centre, Rd, Taplow , Cliveden Road, Taplow£12.50 Adult SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Join us for a special tour of Taplow Court's house and gardens. Taplow Court, a mid 19th century mansion set high above the Thames near Maidenhead, is the home of SGI-UK, a lay Buddhist society. The Taplow site has a long history of continuous human habitation. […]
Private Tour of Taplow Court, House and Gardens – Group 2
Taplow Court Taplow Court Grand Culture Centre, Rd, Taplow , Cliveden Road, Taplow£12.50 Adult THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Join us for a special tour of Taplow Court's house and gardens. Taplow Court, a mid 19th century mansion set high above the Thames near Maidenhead, is the home of SGI-UK, a lay Buddhist society. The Taplow site has a long history of continuous human habitation. In […]
Ancient Ways: The History of the Ridgeway
Wycombe Museum Priory Avenue, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire£12.50 Adult BOOKINGS HAVE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT. We are delighted to invite you to a lively talk from TV presenter and author Mary-Ann Ochota – who’s also the Ridgeway National Trail’s anniversary Patron for 2023. The Ridgeway runs almost 90 miles from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Avebury in Wiltshire. It tracks […]
Visit to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Hearing Dogs For Deaf People The Grange, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Bucks, United Kingdom£10 Adult SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Join us on a tour of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People and see behind the scenes at their Southern training centre, The Grange. They are based just outside Saunderton nestled in the pretty Chiltern Hills, you might even have seen their signs peeking above the hedges […]
Guided Tour of the de Havilland Aircraft Museum
de Havilland Aircraft Museum Salisbury Hall, Shenley, London Colney£20 Adult, £8 Child SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. Come and visit the fantastic de Havilland Aircraft Museum and enjoy a 90-minute guided tour during which you'll be told about the history and background of Geoffrey de Havilland, the pioneer aircraft designer and founder of the de Havilland World Enterprise, one of the […]
Visit to Tring Police Station and Museum
Tring Police Station 63 High Street, Tring, Herts£7.50 Adult SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Please note that income from this event is coming to the Chiltern Society as a charity to cover the overheads of the Festival. Herts Police’s oldest functioning police station is throwing open its doors to Chiltern Society guests as part of the 2023 Chiltern society Heritage […]
Stamp Collecting & Mike Consden
White Hill Centre, White Hill, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1AG£10 Adult Milk bottle tops, beer mats, match boxes, coins – as children, nearly all of us collected one (or some) of these, but far and away the most popular collectable item was stamps. Stamp shops, approvals, school clubs, local societies, stamp fairs, kindly relatives, parents, neighbours, all made stamp collecting so easy […]
Guided Walk Around Ewelme Village
Ewelme Recreation Ground Car Park High Street, Ewelme, OX10 6PG£5 Adult You will be guided around Ewelme, which is a beautiful Oxfordshire village steeped in history. It houses a unique cluster of 15th century buildings comprising a church, almshouses and school, as well as the now-restored watercress beds. There are close connections with Henry VIII, the Chaucer family and other nobility. The walk will […]
A Fun Cheese and Wine Tasting at No 2 Pound Street, Wendover
No2 Pound Street 2 Pound St, Wendover, Aylesbury£25 Adult SORRY THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. Come along to No2 Pound Street, for a fun and informative evening of cheese and wine tasting. You will be led through the tasting by one of their experts, learning the stories behind the cheeses, the different styles of wines and the way to taste and […]
A Festival Celebration – St Mary’s Church, Drayton Beauchamp
St Mary the Virgin, Drayton Beauchamp Church Lane, Drayton Beauchamp, Aylesbury, BucksAdults and Children - Free As in previous years we will come together at the beautiful Grade I listed St Mary's Church, set over the bank of the Wendover Canal. Last year we planted a rowan tree on the drive to the church to commemorate the fifth Heritage Festival. This year we will be joined […]
Wild Winter Art Workshop
Unfortunately this event has been cancelled. This workshop is suitable for beginners upwards and is a great opportunity to learn something new in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Jay will show you step by step how to create this seasonal piece. With demonstrations and one-to-one time, everyone will leave with a finished piece ready to frame. […]
Growing Bright Christmas Craft Workshop – Chesham
White Hill Centre White Hill, Chesham, Bucks, United KingdomJoin Lisa from Growing Bright for this Christmas Craft Workshop. Make beautiful handmade packaging for your six special Christmas gifts. You will decorate three sheets of eco wrapping paper and six gift tags using stunning Christmas stamps and foliage. For extra adornment, you will also make three mini-wreaths, which can be hung on the Christmas […]
HS2 Across the Chilterns – 7th Update (online presentation and discussion)
OnlineBOOKINGS HAVE NOW CLOSED. LOOK OUT FOR THE PRESENTATION ON YOUTUBE OVER THE COMING WEEKS. To follow on from the 6th update in June 2023, we are pleased to invite you to the 7th in a series of updates, showing the impact of HS2 across the Chilterns. Construction of HS2 across the Chilterns is now […]
Greatmoor Energy from Waste – Overview and Tour
Greatmoor Energy from Waste Greatmoor Road, AylesburyTHIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED £7.50 per adult. Greatmoor Energy from Waste takes household non-recyclable waste from throughout Buckinghamshire, diverts it from landfill and uses it to generate enough electricity to power 18% of homes in the county. The visit will begin with a presentation in Greatmoor's fully accessible visitor centre, which is designed […]
Country Ramble and Pub Lunch – Swyncombe Snowdrops
THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. £27.50 per adult. Join us for this delightful walk that will take you to see the wonderful display of snowdrops and aconites at St Botolph's Church in Swyncombe. You'll also experience exhilarating views over Oxfordshire from the old hill fort on Swyncombe Downs. The walk will be about 5.5 […]
Smartphone Safari with Jet Black Squares
The White Hill Centre Chesham, Buckinghamshire£30 pp. All you need for a smartphone safari is your smartphone, a sense of humour and a good pair of shoes. While exploring Chesham we will share top tips on how to take stunning photos. All safaris combine practical photography as well as how to edit your photos using one of the best free […]
Botanical Mono Printing
Captain's Wood Hivings Hill, Chesham, BuckinghamshireTHIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. Special price £10.50 pp thanks to funding from the Chess Smarter Water Catchment Project. This nature craft workshop allows you to enjoy a few hours of creative escapism, a great way to connect with nature and good for your mental wellbeing. Enjoy a guided walk at our Captain’s Wood […]
Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Marlow Common Marlow, Buckinghamshire£27.50 pp. THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. Springtime walks will never be the same again if you come along to our foraging day with Fred Gillam (aka Fred the Forager) He’s been foraging for his supper for more than 30 years and will show you exactly what you can safely pick, what to avoid, […]
Bledlow Ridge Heritage Trail Walk
The Lions of Bledlow Bledlow, Buckinghamshire£10 pp. THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED. A brand new heritage trail has been created as part of a circular walk around the historic monuments of Bledlow Ridge. Generously supported by Lord Carrington and funded by the Farming in Protected Landscaped Initiative, this trail takes in the newly restored Bledlow Cross, the Bledlow barrow […]
Forest Bathing in Captain’s Wood
Captain's Wood Hivings Hill, Chesham, Buckinghamshire£27.50pp. We are delighted to invite you to join us on a calming Forest Bathing session at our beautiful Captain’s Wood site. Forest Bathing, also known in Japan as Shinrin-yoku, is an enjoyable and restorative nature-based wellbeing practice. Together with other participants you will be guided on a 2-hour slow, sensory woodland walk designed to […]
Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Marlow Common Marlow, Buckinghamshire£27.50 pp. Springtime walks will never be the same again if you come along to our foraging day with Fred Gillam (aka Fred the Forager) He’s been foraging for his supper for more than 30 years and will show you exactly what you can safely pick, what to avoid, how to prepare your harvest, and […]
Stanley Spencer Walk & Gallery Visit, Cookham
Stanley Spencer Gallery 16 High St, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire£10 pp. Join Ann Danks from the Stanley Spencer Gallery and our very own walks leader, Andrew Clark, for a highly recommended guided walk around beautiful Cookham where you'll enjoy a morning through the eyes of Stanley Spencer - a local artist who become well known for depicting biblical scenes as if in Cookham itself, […]
Glow in the Dark
Whiteleaf & Brush Hill Peters Lane, Princes RisboroughSORRY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. £8 Adult, £4 Child If you have never seen glow worms before, come and witness this magical display of nature's very own fairy lights with expert John Tyler. BOOK NOW
Glow in the Dark
Whiteleaf & Brush Hill Peters Lane, Princes RisboroughUNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS EVENT DUE TO LACK OF GLOW WORMS. £8 Adult, £4 Child If you have never seen glow worms before, come and witness this magical display of nature's very own fairy lights with expert John Tyler. BOOK NOW
HS2 Across the Chilterns – 8th Update (Online Presentation & Discussion)
We are pleased to invite you to the 8th in a series of updates, showing the impact as construction of the HS2 high speed railway line continues across the Chilterns. Construction will soon be completed along certain sections of the route across the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns. The Colne Valley Viaduct will […]
Glow in the Dark
Whiteleaf & Brush Hill Peters Lane, Princes Risborough£8 Adult £4 Child If you have never seen glow worms before, come and witness this magical display of nature's very own fairy lights with expert John Tyler. BOOK NOW