Welcome

The Friends of Milton’s Cottage are an independent charity set up as a network of supporters of  Milton’s Cottage in the village of Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire.  It raises money through membership subscriptions and events, including the annual Milton Lecture in London, to help with the operation and maintenance costs of the Cottage and garden. 

Why support Milton’s Cottage?

The Cottage is the  only surviving residence of the poet John Milton who came to live there in 1665 to escape from the plague in London. The cottage was bought by subscription in 1887 and is open to the public on Wednesday to Sunday afternoons from April to October. It houses an important collection of Milton’s published works, including first or early editions of his poetic works and pamphlets on social, religious, political and press freedoms. Milton’s Cottage is also home to a unique literary garden, planted with trees, flowers and fruits mentioned in his poetry and is listed by English Heritage as a Grade II Registered Historic Garden.

Application for membership, Standing Order and Gift Aid declaration

To discover more about becoming a Friend of Milton’s Cottage, click here
Milton Reading Group

Throughout 2024 the Friends of Milton’s Cottage ran a monthly meeting at the Cottage to read and discuss the 12 books of Paradise Lost . The group has now moved on to reading Paradise Regained, Samson Agonistes and more …… For further information, contact Lynda Weiss (lyndaweiss@gmail.com)

Recent events organised by the Friends of Milton’s Cottage:
  • Friday 20th June 2025 – Poetry and Pimms – our annual party in the Cottage Garden.
  • Wednesday 2nd April 2025, The Annual Milton Lecture on Music of the Miltonian Era, given by Dr Emily Baines
  • Friday 14th March 2025, An Evening of Wine, Music and Poetry in Honour of John Milton
  • Sunday 13th October 2024, Apple Day
  • Sunday 22nd September 2024 Visit to Amersham Museum
  • Sunday 14th July, 2024 Annual (French-themed) Pimms Party
  • Friday 8th March, 2024 John Milton and Henry Lawes – A Celebration in Words and Music. See ‘Entertainments’,
  • Tuesday 5th March, 2024 Annual Milton Lecture – “Milton and the Civil Wars“
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