Maidstone Museums

Type:Museum

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

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 283 reviews283 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, 8th February 2023 - Saturday, 17th June 2023

Animal Guising and the Kentish Hooden Horse Exhibition PosterAnimal Guising and the Kentish Hooden Horse ExhibitionThe Hooden Horse can be seen snapping its teeth and causing havoc at many folk festivals, but where did it come from and how does it relate to other animal disguises around the UK?
more info

Wednesday, 8th February 2023 - Saturday, 17th June 2023

Bronze Age HoardSecret Stash? Discovering a Bronze Age HoardHave you ever found anything buried or buried something yourself? Take a closer look at the Bronze Age Hoard discovered at Boughton Malherbe.
more info

Tuesday, 4th April 2023 - Tuesday, 4th April 2023

Easter bunny hatEaster Holiday Crafts - Easter Bunny Hat
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Tuesday, 4th April 2023 - Thursday, 6th April 2023

Tuesday, 11th April 2023 - Thursday, 13th April 2023

Easter ChickEaster Holiday CraftsBook the kids into one of Maidstone Museum's Easter Holiday Crafts.
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Wednesday, 5th April 2023 - Wednesday, 5th April 2023

Easter BasketEaster Holiday Crafts - Easter Basket
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Thursday, 6th April 2023 - Thursday, 6th April 2023

Easter ChickEaster Holiday Crafts - Make an Easter Chick
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Tuesday, 11th April 2023 - Tuesday, 11th April 2023

Anglo Saxon Brooch from workshop.Easter Holiday Crafts
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Wednesday, 12th April 2023 - Wednesday, 12th April 2023

Treasure boxEaster Holiday Crafts
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Thursday, 13th April 2023 - Thursday, 13th April 2023

Saxon craft mirrorEaster Holiday Crafts
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Saturday, 29th April 2023 - Saturday, 29th April 2023

Maidstone Museum LogoFolk Customs Now!
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Wednesday, 3rd May 2023 - Saturday, 3rd June 2023

Walking through Fremlin Walk amongst the puddles.Maidstone Figures
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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:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      157
    • Very Good
      91
    • Average
      26
    • Poor
      4
    • Terrible
      5

    Recent Reviews:

    • TheCarmeleon
      Canterbury, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Great museum in the heart of Maidstone
      5 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 13th March 2022
      We weren't sure what to make of the museum, but we were pleasantly surprised! There are a large number of objects and artifacts on display for people of all ages to enjoy. If you're in the area and... Read full review
    • 751Tasy
      Gillingham, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      A hidden gem!
      5 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 10th April 2022
      Amazing museum! What a great experience with the kids. My 4 year old enjoyed finding the objects on the picture sheet and 6 year old loved the scavenger hunt. A range of rooms to explore with... Read full review
    • Denise D
      Maidstone, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Very interesting
      5 of 5 stars
      Wednesday, 28th September 2022
      Great place to take grandchildren, very educational and the staff are always very friendly. Have been on regular occasions. Read full review

    Map & Directions

    Public Transport Directions

     

    Awards

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

    Opening Times

    2023 Opening (7 Feb 2023 - 18 Dec 2023)
    DayTimes

    * Off Peak Season - Open Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 (Last entry 3:30)

    Peak Season (School Holidays) - Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 (Last entry 3:30)

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