Britain at War

About

Travel through centuries of conflict in Britain at War at Chiltern Open Air Museum, showcasing warfare and everyday life from the medieval period to the Second World War.
Explore how conflict shaped Britain across multiple eras, from medieval soldiers and the turmoil of the English Civil War, through the Napoleonic Wars, to the global conflicts of the First and Second World Wars. Meet re-enactors portraying soldiers and civilians from each period, discover how weapons, tactics and technology evolved, and learn how war affected daily life on the Home Front and the battlefield.
Across the weekend, the museum's historic buildings and open spaces are transformed into living history scenes, featuring military camps, drills, demonstrations and vehicles spanning hundreds of years. From pike and musket to jeeps and air raid precautions, Britain at War offers a powerful and immersive journey through Britain's military past.
Event highlights
• Multi-period living history from Medieval warfare to the Second World War
• English Civil War, Napoleonic, First World War and Second World War re-enactments
• Military camps, drills, demonstrations and vehicles
• Meet re-enactors portraying soldiers and civilians from each era
• Set within the museum's unique historic buildings and grounds