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. 

Coming Soon – Annual Milton Lecture

15th Annual Milton Lecture – Monday 16th February 2026

Professor Nick McDowell of the University of Exeter will be speaking on the subject of

Lessons in Free Speech from John Milton

at the Mercers’ Hall in London at 6pm on Monday 16th February 2026. BUY TICKETS

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.

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

Application for membership, Standing Order and Gift Aid declaration

Looking ahead

The Friends’ Annuial garden party will take lace on Friday 11th September

Recent events organised by the Friends of Milton’s Cottage
  • Sunday 19th October, 2025 – Apple Day.
  • 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 See ‘Entertainments’,
  • 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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