A popular Halloween event has been cancelled following a row between the museum putting it on and the land owner. 

Chiltern Open Air Museum, in Chalfont St Peter, which hosts regular events and filming for TV and movies, says it has been forced to cancel multiple plans, including its Halloween Spectacular on October 28.

Staff at the museum have said they were not given a reason for the “shock” move as the land owner, property developer Comer Group, blocked access to the field used for overflow parking.

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Filming at the location has included Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Horrible Histories, Grantchester, Taskmaster, Mary Queen of Scots, Britannia, and Countryfile.

Those reacting to the cancellation included host of popular Channel 4 show Taskmaster Alex Horne, who said: “It's really sad. Our kids love their events.”

As part of a planning agreement between Comer Homes and Buckinghamshire County Council, Comer Homes agreed to a future transfer of the land to the museum.

Watford Observer: Jousting at Chiltern Open Air MuseumJousting at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)

The museum claims Comer has objected to any commercial activity (which is how the museum is funded), threatened injunctions, and blocked the gates to the fields used for parking with concrete blocks on one night’s notice.

However, Comer Group has accused Chiltern of being in serious breach of its lease in recent months, including regularly holding events outside agreed timeframes with loud and disruptive music.

It added that it never said the event could not go ahead, did not restrict parking, and placed the blocks to deal with fly tipping “which was becoming a regular occurrence”.

Watford Observer: The Barriers at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Picture: Chiltern Open Air Museum The Barriers at Chiltern Open Air Museum. Picture: Chiltern Open Air Museum (Image: COAM)

A spokesperson said: “We have not restricted parking, however, they can’t use the fields in the current season due to the weather and the issues this will cause to the ground, which is part of the current lease agreement.

“To be clear we have stated our willingness for the upcoming Halloween event at the site to take place.”

The museum has promised to refund tickets and asked visitors to allow it time to process contacting all ticketholders.

Alongside the Halloween Spectacular, which has been held annually for 15 years, filming for an undisclosed TV or film production next week has also had to be cancelled.

Watford Observer: Chiltern Open Air MuseumChiltern Open Air Museum (Image: Chiltern Open Air Museum)Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

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