The Kent Life attraction occupies part of the Cobtree Estate which belonged to the Tyrwhitt-Drake family. The Estate was set up as a charitable trust in 1951, and was bequeathed to the people of Maidstone by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake in 1964.

Formerly called the Museum of Kent Life, it opened in 1985. Its principle objective was to preserve Kent's countryside and rural heritage for the future. It has saved many buildings from demolition by giving them a new home on the Museum's site, alongside the original 18th century farmstead. They have been carefully restored to house displays on life in Kent during different historical periods.

These historic buildings include Britain's last traditional working oasthouse - one of the few remaining places where hops are grown, harvested, dried and packed by hand, using only time-honoured, traditional techniques.

Regular boat trips run between the Museum and the town centre.

Opening hours