Milton’s Cottage Trust

Milton’s Cottage Trust Milton's Cottage is the only surviving residence of John Milton - and the place where he completed his masterpiece, Paradise Lost.

The museum house and garden are open for visitors from April to December. Please see website for opening times and events. Milton's Cottage is the only surviving residence of the visionary poet and parliamentarian John Milton. He came here to escape and earlier epidemic - the Great Plague of 1665 - and complete his best-known poem, Paradise Lost. We have been open to the public since 1887, making

us one of the oldest writer's house museums in the world. The four ground floor museum rooms contain the most extensive collection in the world on open display of 17th Century first editions of John Milton's works, both poetry and prose. Hear of the extraordinary career of this blind genius vividly described in his refuge from the plague where he wrote some of the finest poetry and feel the ambience of the setting. The thoughts of John Milton and the diverse nature of his published works are the evidence that demonstrates why he leaves such an enduring legacy.

🌿 Explore Bledlow Manor Gardens – 24 June, 2–4 pm🌷🌸Don’t miss this special opportunity to wander through the beautiful B...
02/06/2026

🌿 Explore Bledlow Manor Gardens – 24 June, 2–4 pm🌷🌸
Don’t miss this special opportunity to wander through the beautiful Bledlow Manor Gardens, featuring everything from striking contemporary sculpture to a traditional kitchen garden and water garden, and even some garden-themed Milton poetry. After exploring, relax with a drink and a slice of cake in the tearoom.

🎟️ Tickets & information: https://www.miltonscottage.org/whats-on-category/events/ or ring 01494 872313

All funds raised support Milton’s Cottage museum, the only surviving home of poet John Milton (Registered Charity No. 1163039).

It's SLIME TIME! Free family-friendly drop-in workshop Thurs 28th May between 11 am and 1 pm. Get to know some of Brita...
21/05/2026

It's SLIME TIME! Free family-friendly drop-in workshop Thurs 28th May between 11 am and 1 pm. Get to know some of Britain's slimiest species in the garden at Milton's Cottage. Make your own slime and even read some slime-inspired poetry! No booking required. Free parking in the car park behind the museum on the Deanway in Chalfont St Giles.

This week we welcomed two groups of students to Milton’s Cottage. It’s always wonderful to hear how young people relate ...
21/05/2026

This week we welcomed two groups of students to Milton’s Cottage. It’s always wonderful to hear how young people relate to John Milton and his political writings in the context of the current world around them.

We are always delighted to have school groups visit along with our regular creative writing club for children and half term activities for families. Look out for more information about events here and on our website www.miltonscottage.org

Join us 24th June for a special visit to Bledlow Manor Gardens. Normally open by appointment only, these remarkable gard...
15/05/2026

Join us 24th June for a special visit to Bledlow Manor Gardens. Normally open by appointment only, these remarkable gardens – designed by Robert Adam – offer a rare opportunity to explore 12 acres of beautifully contrasting spaces, from the contemporary sculpture garden and parterre to the walled kitchen garden and the Lyde Water Garden. Milton's poetry will be brought to life with a reading in the gardens. The tearoom will be open serving cakes and drinks throughout the afternoon. Located in Bledlow, Buckinghamshire near Princes Risborough.

Book here https://www.miltonscottage.org/whats-on-category/events/

Tickets cost £15 (Friends of Milton's Cottage £10 and under 16s free) with all proceeds directly supporting Milton’s Cottage, the only surviving home of John Milton where he completed his epic, 'Paradise Lost'.

Happy May Day! We were open over the Bank Holiday weekend for visitors to explore John Milton's home and garden, and to ...
05/05/2026

Happy May Day! We were open over the Bank Holiday weekend for visitors to explore John Milton's home and garden, and to be inspired by some of the greatest poetry in the English language.

"The frolic wind that breathes the spring,
Zephyr, with Aurora playing,
As he met her once a-Maying,
There on beds of violets blue,
And fresh-blown roses wash'd in dew"
(lines from L'Allegro)

We are open weekly from 2 pm to 5 pm Wednesday to Sunday, with last entry at 4:30 pm. Come and explore!

Join us in person or online Mon 11th May at 7 pm when we welcome Professor Alice Hunt speaking about her critically accl...
27/04/2026

Join us in person or online Mon 11th May at 7 pm when we welcome Professor Alice Hunt speaking about her critically acclaimed ‘biography’ of the 1650s when Britain was – for the first and only time in its history – a republic, led by the soldier-statesman, Oliver Cromwell. Alice Hunt brings this revolutionary decade to life: a decade of bewildering instability but also one of innovation and daring. The republic was short-lived – much to Milton’s dismay – but it changed the course of British history.

To book in person tickets or join via Zoom visit our website https://www.miltonscottage.org/whats-on-category/events/ All proceeds support 16th century Milton's Cottage, the only surviving home of John Milton, where he completed his epic poem 'Paradise Lost'.

Alice Hunt is Professor of Early Modern Literature and History at the University of Southampton. 'Republic: Britain's Revolutionary Decade, 1649-1660' was selected as a book of the year by The Times, Telegraph and History Today. This talk is delivered as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival - more information at www.chalfontstgilesliteraryfestival.org.uk

SOLD OUT! Follow us and register for our newsletter for future events -- https://www.miltonscottage.org/Could you solve ...
22/04/2026

SOLD OUT! Follow us and register for our newsletter for future events -- https://www.miltonscottage.org/
Could you solve a murder while dining in style in a historic 16th century cottage? Murder is on the menu Thursday 7th May at Milton's Cottage in Chalfont St Giles, where everyone is a suspect. Can you detect the killer over a delicious three-course meal complemented by wine pairings, as we guide you through deadly twists, turns, secrets and stories? Tickets are £65 per person and can be booked via our website https://www.miltonscottage.org/whats-on-category/events/ Tickets numbers are strictly limited due to space so please book soon to avoid disappointment. For further information contact [email protected] or 01494 872313.

All funds raised directly support Milton's Cottage museum, the only surviving home of John Milton where he completed his epic 'Paradise Lost'. We are delighted to offer this event as part of the Chalfont St Giles & Jordans Literary Festival. For more festival information and bookings visit www.chalfontstgilesliteraryfestival.org.uk .

It's been wonderful to have so many visitors for our April family fun craft workshops! There was so much fantastic crea...
21/04/2026

It's been wonderful to have so many visitors for our April family fun craft workshops! There was so much fantastic creative work on display and lots of fun exploring the garden. 🌷🪻🌳🥀🌹

Drop in and visit Milton's Cottage tomorrow Thursday 9th between 11 am and 1 pm for a free, family-friendly craft worksh...
08/04/2026

Drop in and visit Milton's Cottage tomorrow Thursday 9th between 11 am and 1 pm for a free, family-friendly craft workshop. Discover 17th century Easter traditions by creating your own Easter hare and enjoy the sunshine in our garden. Parking is free in the car park behind the museum on the Deanway in Chalfont St Giles.

We are open for 2026! The start of April marks our opening for the season until the 13th December. Whether you are inter...
02/04/2026

We are open for 2026! The start of April marks our opening for the season until the 13th December. Whether you are interested in John Milton's profound influence on Cromwell and freedom of speech, or being in the room where the blind writer completed his masterpiece 'Paradise Lost', Milton's Cottage looks forward to welcoming you this year. Don't forget to leave time for a walk around our Grade II Registered Historic Garden.

Milton's Cottage museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 2 pm until 5 pm. Visit www.miltonscottage.org for more information on tickets and how to find us. Visits are free for children under 16.

Address

Milton's Cottage, 21 Deanway
Chalfont Saint Giles
HP84JH

Telephone

+441494872313

Website

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