Maidstone Museums

Type:Museum

St Faith's Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 295 reviews295 reviews

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Tel01622 602838

Samurai armour at Maidstone Museum

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About

Maidstone Museum is an exceptional regional museum housed in the gorgeous Chillington Manor, an Elizabethan manor house. Come and discover the hidden gems in the collections, which boast a rich and impressive variety of historical objects, fine art and natural history. It is home to internationally significant collections, especially Ethnography, Japanese Decorative Arts, Ancient Egypt, Archaeology and Costume. Don't miss the 2,700 year old Egyptian mummy (the only adult mummy in Kent), The Lady of the House, Ta-Kush. The Museum also has woodblock prints by famous Edo period woodblock print masters. These include Hokusai's ‘Great Wave off Kanagawa’ and ‘Red Fuji'.

Established in 1858, Maidstone Museum houses over 660,000 artefacts and specimens. It first opened as the Charles Museum, following the bequest of Dr Thomas Charles of Maidstone who left his library, art collection and antiques to the town.

There are lots of galleries to explore in the oldest part of the building and children love the roar of the dinosaur in the Earth Heritage Gallery. Maidstone Museum is very interactive and a fun experience for children, travelling back in time to explore the myths and legends behind the museum’s collections, have a go at digging fossils or try on some costumes on your way round!

The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum is an independent museum that has been housed within Maidstone Museum since 1960. It tells the story of this famous local regiment and is packed with fascinating, colourful and thought-provoking exhibits.
 

Exhibitions


Throughout the year there is a great schedule of special events and temporary exhibitions so you are sure to find something going on no matter when you visit. Maidstone Museum attracts many of the country’s best touring exhibitions, providing you with the chance to explore magnificent works of art and fascinating objects. Collaborations with, amongst others, the V&A, the British Museum, and the Cartoon Museum have provided special exhibitions, and the Museum also works closely with many other special exhibition creators to bring you some very unique and unusual displays.

 

Museum Lates

 

On the last Thursday of every month at Museum Lates you can experience the museum after dark and get involved in some great interactive activities. There are also many great tours of the building and the collections which run every month.

 

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
ChildFree
ConcessionFree
FamilyFree
Admisson FreeFree

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Events

Wednesday, 5th November 2025 - Wednesday, 5th November 2025

Wednesday, 3rd December 2025 - Wednesday, 3rd December 2025

Little girl reading book to teddy bears. Stories and Rhymes at Maidstone MuseumStorytelling and crafts for the under 5's.
more info

Saturday, 8th November 2025 - Saturday, 8th November 2025

image of poland skylinePolish Festival at Maidstone MuseumSpend the day with Maidstone Museum at inaugural Polish Festival!
more info

Thursday, 20th November 2025 - Thursday, 20th November 2025

movie nightMovie Nights at Maidstone Museum presents WickedLooking forward to Wicked Part 2? Refresh your memory at Maidstone Museum with a magical late night showing of Part 1.
more info

Saturday, 22nd November 2025 - Saturday, 22nd November 2025

Christmas decorations Family Art Day, Christmas Decorations at Maidstone MuseumCome along and create some Christmas decorations for your tree and room in our fun family workshop.
more info

Thursday, 27th November 2025 - Thursday, 27th November 2025

shared storiesShared Stories: Indigenous Connections at Maidstone Museum with Dr Padraig KirwanDiscover the Riches of Maidstone Museum’s North American and Indigenous Collection! Dr. Padraig Kirwan from Goldsmith University delves into the wealth of material in the museum’s collection for Thanksgiving
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Saturday, 29th November 2025 - Saturday, 29th November 2025

wreath makingWreath Making Workshop at Maidstone MuseumGet into the Christmas Spirit with a Wreath Making Workshop at Maidstone Museum. All materials provided for.
more info

Facilities

Other

  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Family Fun
  • Groups Accepted
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups - Advance booking required
  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Partial Disabled
  • Ramp / Level Access
  • Wet Weather

Accessibility

  • Disabled facilities (please call for details)

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.4 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      166
    • Very Good
      92
    • Average
      26
    • Poor
      5
    • Terrible
      6

    Recent Reviews:

    • Guy_Osborn2
      The BEST museum gallery in England!
      5 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 1st October 2025
      Yesterday I went to the museum for the first time. I have never seen a better curated section than the human history one here - not dumbed down but with things children can do. The birch wood, the... Read full review
    • Darrenm10000
      London, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Must see museum
      5 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 4th October 2025
      Fantastic experience at this museum, really array of interesting local history from dinosaurs to Royal history. I found the Star Wars collection amazing too. Will visit again Read full review
    • basedINtheUK
      England, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Not buggy friendly
      1 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 23rd October 2025
      Asked at front desk how to get to see the exhibit with a pram and was told to park it and carry the baby around as there are too many steps. Unfortunately my baby was too young to walk on his own and... Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Public Transport Directions

     

    Opening Times

    2025 Opening (12 Feb 2025 - 22 Dec 2025)
    Bank HolidayClosed

    * Open Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 (Last entry 3:30) Closed Sunday - Tuesday

    School Holidays
    Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 16:00

    Closed Bank Holidays

    Closed Sunday 22 December 2024- February 2025
    Check website for full opening information

    Awards

    • Visit BritainWe're Good to Go We're Good to Go 2020
    • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

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