The only surviving residence of poet & parliamentarian, John Milton - and the place where he completed his epic masterpiece, Paradise Lost.
Milton’s Cottage is the only surviving home of the visionary poet and parliamentarian, John Milton. Although he lived here for less than 2 years – after fleeing the outbreak of Bubonic plague in London in 1665 - Milton’s Cottage was an important place in the writer’s life. Within these walls he completed his epic masterpiece, Paradise Lost, and was inspired to write its sequel, Paradise Regain’d.
Today, this Grade I listed 16th century cottage is a museum, containing books, paintings and prints that give a unique insight into Milton’s life, work and influence. It has been open to the public since 1887, making it one of the oldest literary museums in the world.
It is also home to a unique literary garden, stocked with flowers, trees and herbs referenced in Milton's poetry. It is the only cottage garden in the Chilterns listed by English Heritage as a Grade II Registered Historic Garden.