Discover One of Amersham's Best-Kept Secrets: The Fair Organ Museum

Tucked away in Amersham is a rather extraordinary little museum that you might have passed without ever knowing it was there.

And once you step inside, you’re in for quite a surprise.

The Amersham Fair Organ Museum is home to a fascinating collection of beautifully decorated mechanical musical instruments, bringing the sights and sounds of traditional fairgrounds back to life.

Think magnificent fairground organs, intricate craftsmanship, colourful decorations and the unmistakable sound of music that once filled fairgrounds and travelling shows across Britain.

But what makes this museum particularly special is that you don’t just look at the exhibits — you get to hear them play.

Throughout each open day, the museum’s mechanical instruments come to life, filling the space with music and offering visitors a wonderful glimpse into the ingenuity and entertainment of a bygone era.

It’s a fascinating experience for all generations. Older visitors may recognise familiar tunes and remember the atmosphere of traditional fairs, while younger guests can discover the remarkable mechanical engineering behind these musical creations.

And you certainly don’t need to be a music enthusiast to appreciate it. There’s something rather mesmerising about watching these extraordinary machines perform.

The museum is run as a registered charity and welcomes visitors on selected Sundays throughout the year, with refreshments available from its café.

Best of all, admission is completely free, and there’s no need to book in advance.

Whether you’re looking for an unusual family outing, an interesting way to spend a Sunday or simply fancy discovering somewhere new on your doorstep, the Amersham Fair Organ Museum is well worth a visit.

Upcoming open days

• Sunday 1 November 2026
• Sunday 6 December 2026
• Sunday 10 January 2027
• Sunday 14 February 2027
• Sunday 14 March 2027
• Sunday 11 April 2027

Opening hours: 10am–4pm

Admission: Free — no booking required.

For more information, visit www.afom.org.uk or follow @fairorganmuseum on social media.

Sometimes the most interesting places are the ones you least expect to find. And this is certainly one of them.

Photo Credits: Colin Drake – The Chiltern Society