Maidstone Museums

Type:Museum

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

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 285 reviews285 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

Saturday, 1st July 2023 - Saturday, 14th October 2023

Linton Hospital in 1964. It was originally a Maidstone workhouse.Helping Health – 75 Years of the NHS ExhibitionExplore the many changes in our healthcare from herbs and blood-letting to keyhole surgery and MRI scans as we celebrate 75 years of the NHS!
more info

Saturday, 21st October 2023 - Saturday, 16th December 2023

The MoonThe Moon ExhibitionHumans have gazed up at the Moon for millennia – now you can come a little closer to our nearest neighbour with this stunning exhibition.
more info

Saturday, 28th October 2023 - Saturday, 28th October 2023

The MoonAn American Werewolf In London – ScreeningWitness this cult classic horror film in Maidstone Museum's historic haunted library on the night of the FULL MOON!
more info

Saturday, 2nd December 2023 - Saturday, 2nd December 2023

Saturday, 9th December 2023 - Saturday, 9th December 2023

Saturday, 16th December 2023 - Saturday, 16th December 2023

Father ChristmasFather Christmas's Fireplace 2023Meet Father Christmas in his cosy library, leave your wish with him and receive a present!
more info

Saturday, 9th December 2023 - Saturday, 9th December 2023

Two brown box parcels with red and white string and heartsChristmas Craft Market 2023
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:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      158
    • Very Good
      92
    • Average
      26
    • Poor
      4
    • Terrible
      5

    Recent Reviews:

    • Melanie G
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Great for dinosaur lovers!
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 31st July 2023
      I took my niece to the Maidstone Museum, as her topic at school was dinosaurs and very impressed by the exhibits in the museum. The staff were very friendly and my niece loved the scavenger hunt... Read full review
    • Tourist52964263144
      Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Visit Maidstone Museum and especially Ta Kush!
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 7th August 2023
      I take my two boys to MM two or three times a year - at their request - to see the dinos, yes, but also to visit Ta Kush, an actual mummified woman from approximately 2700 years ago. Just imagine... Read full review
    • Adventurers049
      Brisbane, Australia
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Very good
      4 of 5 stars
      Saturday, 26th August 2023
      This is a great little museum located in the middle of the town. At the entrance, there is a very good information centre too. 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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