Kent Life facts for kids
Kent Life is a fun open-air museum in Sandling, near Maidstone, England. It's right by the River Medway and shows what life was like in Kent many years ago. You can explore old buildings, see farm animals, and learn about farming history.
Discovering Kent Life's History
The land where Kent Life stands was given to Maidstone Borough Council in 1966 by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake. Part of this land was an old farm called Sandling Farm. In 1984, people decided to fix up the farm. They wanted to create a museum about rural life. The museum first opened its doors to visitors on July 6, 1985.
Farming Life at the Museum
At Kent Life, you can see how farming used to be done. There are two small gardens where they grow hops. Hops are plants used to make beer. You can also find apple and plum orchards. These are places where fruit trees grow. There's a herb garden and a soft fruit garden too. Plus, you can meet different farm animals!
Exploring Historic Buildings
The museum has many interesting buildings. Most of these buildings were taken apart from their original spots. Then, they were carefully rebuilt at the museum. This way, visitors can see them up close.
The Old Barn
This large barn is from the 1700s. It used to be at Vale Farm, near Sturry. The barn has a strong oak wood frame. Its roof is made of thatch, which is dried straw or reeds. Workers took it apart in 1984. They rebuilt it at the museum in 1989.
The Tin Chapel
This chapel is made of wood with a special roof. It's covered in corrugated iron, which looks like wavy metal sheets. People sometimes call these "tin tabernacles." It was first built in 1897 in Cuxton. In 2000, a new chapel was built in Cuxton. So, the old one was given to the museum.
Lenham Cottages: A Journey
These two cottages were once in Lenham. They were called Old Cottage and Water Street Cottage. These old buildings were in the way of the new Channel Tunnel rail link. The company building the link offered the cottages to the museum. They also paid for them to be moved and rebuilt. The cottages were taken apart in June 1999. They were rebuilt at the museum between 2000 and 2001. Visitors could explore them starting in July 2001.
Petts Farmhouse
This farmhouse was built in the late 1700s. It's a very old and important building.
Sandling Farmhouse
Sandling Farmhouse is one of the original buildings on the farm. A man named George Brundle lived here. He was the last farmer to rent the land. He lived to be 98 years old, passing away in 2001. This building is from the 1500s. It even has connections to a famous poet, Sir Thomas Wyatt.
The Blacksmith's Forge
At the museum, you can see a recreated blacksmith's forge. This is where a blacksmith would heat and shape metal.
The Granary
This building is a granary from the 1800s. It came from Boxley Grange Farm in Boxley. A granary is a place where grain is stored. It was taken apart in 1993 and rebuilt at the museum.
Hopper Huts
A group of Hopper huts from North Frith Farm in Hadlow were moved here. These huts are made of brick and have fireplaces inside. They were used by people who picked hops. The museum also built new hopper huts with wood frames and corrugated iron. They also built a cookhouse and a privy (an outdoor toilet).
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The rebuilt hopper huts from Hadlow
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The reconstructed hopper huts
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The reconstructed cookhouse
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The privy
The Oast House
This is another original farm building. An oast house was used to dry hops. This oast originally had four kilns, which are like big ovens. Two kilns were round, and two were square. Hops were last dried here before 1925. Some parts of the oast were damaged over time. In 1984, the oast was restored. Now, it has two round kilns and one square kiln with special cowls on top. Inside the oast, you can see a recreated village store. It looks just like an old general store from Hawkhurst.
Shepherd's Hut
A shepherd's hut from Acton Farm in Charing was given to the museum in 1994. Shepherds used these small huts for shelter while watching their sheep.
The Tack Room
A tack room has been recreated at the museum. This is where horse riding equipment, like saddles and bridles, would be kept.
The Tearooms
The museum's tearooms are located in one of the original farmhouses. It's a nice place to get a snack or drink.
The Village Hall
This building is similar to the chapel. It was the old village hall from Ulcombe. It was given to the museum in 1997. It was taken apart in October 1997. Then, it was rebuilt at the museum and opened to visitors in June 2000.
The Wagon Store
The wagon store building was built especially for the museum in 1993. It's where wagons and other farm vehicles would be kept. The recreated forge is at one end of this building.
