List of museums in Kent facts for kids

Kent, often called the "Garden of England," is a beautiful county in England with a rich history. It's also home to many amazing museums! These places are like treasure chests, collecting and taking care of cool objects from the past and present. They show us art, science, history, and culture. Visiting a museum in Kent is a fantastic way to learn about everything from ancient Roman times to famous authors and incredible inventions. Get ready to explore some of the most interesting spots in Kent!

Awesome Museums to Explore

Agricultural Museum, Brook

Located in Brook, this museum is all about farming! You can see old farm tools, equipment, and wagons. It's set in a historic barn and an oast house, which is a special building used for drying hops. It shows what farming life was like in the past.

Ashford Museum

The Ashford Museum tells the story of Ashford itself. You can discover local history, learn about archaeology (studying old things), geology (studying rocks and earth), and see artifacts from local industries and homes.

Beaney House of Art and Knowledge

In Canterbury, this museum is a mix of many things! It's known as "The Beaney" by locals. It features art, old photographs, and lots of local history. It's a great place to explore different types of collections all in one building.

Belmont House and Gardens

This beautiful 18th-century Georgian house in Throwley has stunning gardens. Inside, you'll find a huge private collection of clocks. It's like stepping back in time to see how people lived and what they collected centuries ago.

Blue Town Heritage Centre

The Blue Town Heritage Centre focuses on the history and culture of Blue Town. It even has exhibits about old music halls and cinemas, showing how people entertained themselves long ago.

Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway

All aboard! This heritage railway in Bredgar is a museum on tracks. You can see real steam locomotives, old freight cars, and railway artifacts. It's a fun way to experience the history of trains.

British Cartoon Archive

Located in Canterbury, this unique gallery is part of the University of Kent. It displays political and social cartoons from British newspapers and magazines. It's a cool way to see how artists used humor to comment on the world.

Canterbury Heritage Museum

This museum in Canterbury dives into the city's rich history and culture. It even has a special Rupert the Bear Museum for children, making it a great spot for younger visitors too!

Canterbury Roman Museum

Step back to Roman times in Canterbury! This museum showcases amazing artifacts from Roman Britain and includes reconstructions that help you imagine what life was like thousands of years ago.

Chantry Heritage Centre

The Chantry Heritage Centre in Gravesend tells the story of the local area. It's located in a very old 14th-century chantry, which is a historic religious building.

Chart Gunpowder Mills

In Faversham, you can explore an 18th-century gunpowder factory with a watermill. It's one of the sites that made up the important Faversham explosives industry. It's a fascinating look at how things were made long ago.

Chartwell

Operated by the National Trust, Chartwell in Westerham was the main home of Sir Winston Churchill, a very famous British leader. You can see exhibits, his paintings, and personal items, as well as explore the beautiful gardens.

Chatham Historic Dockyard

This huge maritime museum in Chatham is packed with history! It includes three real historic warships: HMS Gannet (1878), HMS Cavalier (R73), and HMS Ocelot (S17). You can also see a Victorian rope factory, learn about life in the dockyard in 1758, and visit the Museum of the Royal Dockyard. There's even a museum about the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Chiddingstone Castle

This medieval-style castle in Chiddingstone is full of treasures! It has artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Buddhist items, Japanese armour and swords, and paintings from the Jacobean era. Plus, there are lovely gardens to explore.

Chillenden Windmill

In Chillenden, you can visit a reconstructed mid-19th-century windmill. It's a great way to see how wind power was used to grind grain long ago.

C M Booth Motor Museum

This museum in Rolvenden has a cool collection of Morgan Motor Company three-wheel cars, bicycles, tricycles, and model cars. If you love vehicles, this is the place to be!

Colonel Stephens Railway Museum

Located in Tenterden, this museum tells the story of Colonel H. F. Stephens, who managed the Kent and East Sussex Railway. You can see railway equipment and memorabilia from his time.

Crabble Corn Mill

This Georgian and Victorian watermill in River is a working mill. You can see how water power was used to mill corn and learn about its history.

Crab Museum

In Margate, the Crab Museum is a unique place dedicated to all things crab! It's a fun and quirky museum that teaches you about these fascinating sea creatures.

Crampton Tower Museum

This museum in Broadstairs celebrates the life and work of railway engineer Thomas Russell Crampton. It also covers local railways, electric tramways, road transport, and has model railways.

Cranbrook Museum

The Cranbrook Museum focuses on local history, culture, and rural life. You can see old toys, costumes, and household items, giving you a peek into the past.

Dartford Borough Museum

This museum in Dartford explores the local history, culture, archaeology, and geology of the area. It has artifacts from Roman Britain, Anglo-Saxon, Norman, and medieval times.

Deal Castle

Operated by English Heritage, Deal Castle is one of Henry VIII's Device Forts. These castles were built to defend England's coast. You can explore its military history in Deal.

Deal Maritime & Local History Museum

This museum in Deal combines local history with maritime heritage. You can learn about the town's connection to the sea and its past.

Deal Timeball Tower Museum

This unique tower in Deal was a Semaphore tower used to help ships navigate. The museum has exhibits about smuggling, signaling, and how the time ball worked.

Dickens House Museum

In Broadstairs, this museum is dedicated to the famous author Charles Dickens. You can see memorabilia related to his life and works, as well as other Victorian items.

Dover Castle

Operated by English Heritage, Dover Castle is a huge medieval castle with a long history. You can explore its towers, see living history rooms from the time of Henry II of England, and even discover secret World War II tunnels!

Dover Museum

The Dover Museum covers local history, culture, and archaeology. It's famous for housing the incredible Dover Bronze Age Boat, a very old boat discovered in the area.

Dover Transport Museum

This museum in Dover is a paradise for transport enthusiasts! It has cars, bicycles, buses, and other road vehicles. You can also see model railways, a 1930s garage, and period shops.

Draper's Windmill

In Margate, you can visit a mid-19th-century windmill. It's a great example of old technology used for grinding grain.

Dungeness Lighthouse

This lighthouse museum in Dungeness offers a look into the life of a lighthouse keeper and the history of navigation. It's right next to the Dungeness railway station.

Dymchurch Martello Tower

Operated by English Heritage, this early 19th-century artillery tower in Dymchurch was built to defend the coast. You can explore its military past.

East Kent Light Railway

This heritage railway in Shepherdswell has a signal box visitor centre and railway artifacts. It's a great place to learn about the history of local railways.

Eastgate House

This 16th-century Elizabethan town house in Rochester was featured in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers. It has Dickens exhibits and changing displays of art and local history.

Eden Valley Museum

In Edenbridge, this museum covers local history, including the medieval period. You can learn about old trades like blacksmithing and tanning, and even how cricket balls were made!

Elham Valley Line Trust Countryside Centre & Railway Museum

Located in Peene, this museum tells the story of the Elham Valley Railway. It has railway artifacts, local history exhibits, and even a model railway of the Channel Tunnel.

Finchcocks

This early Georgian manor house in Goudhurst has an amazing collection of historical keyboard instruments. It's a treat for anyone interested in music and old instruments.

Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre

In Faversham, this centre covers local history, the explosives industry, and the history of Faversham Abbey and Davington Priory. It also has a Victorian schoolroom and kitchen, and changing art exhibits.

Fort Amherst

Fort Amherst in Chatham is an 18th-century fort that's being restored. It includes a World War II exhibit and sometimes has period re-enactments, bringing history to life.

Godinton House

This Jacobean house in Ashford has a medieval hall and beautiful gardens. It's a wonderful example of historic architecture and design.

Gravesend's Cold War Bunker

In Gravesend, you can explore a real 1950s underground nuclear bunker and command center from the Cold War. It's a fascinating look at a tense time in history.

Guildhall Museum, Rochester

This museum in Rochester covers local history and culture. It has a Victorian drawing room and kitchen, fine art, exhibits on Charles Dickens, and displays about agricultural engine manufacturers.

Herne Windmill

In Herne, you can visit a late-18th-century windmill, another great example of how wind power was used in the past.

Herne Bay Museum and Gallery

This museum in Herne Bay explores local history, culture, archaeology, geology, paleontology, and art. It's a diverse collection that tells the story of the area.

Hever Castle

Hever Castle in Hever is a medieval country house that was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. It has exhibits from different historical eras, Tudor furnishings, and even instruments of torture!

Hop Farm Country Park

In Beltring, this park includes Yesterday's Village, which recreates an old village with shops and artifacts. There's also a wax museum and the Hop Farm Museum, which shows how hops were grown and harvested in oast houses.

Ightham Mote

Operated by the National Trust, Ightham Mote in Ightham is a stunning medieval moated manor house with beautiful gardens. It's like something out of a fairy tale!

Kent & Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum

Located at Hever Castle, this museum tells the history of the Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry with uniforms and memorabilia.

Kent Battle of Britain Museum

In Hawkinge, this museum focuses on the history of RAF Hawkinge and the Battle of Britain during World War II. You can see real World War II aircraft.

Kent Life

Kent Life in Sandling is an open-air heritage farm. It has historic houses, farm buildings, and village buildings spread across 28 acres. It's a great place to experience rural life from the past.

Kent Police Museum

Located in Chatham, this museum tells the history of the Kent County Constabulary, the local police force.

Killick's Mill

In Meopham, you can visit an early-19th-century windmill, another example of Kent's milling heritage.

Knole House

Operated by the National Trust, Knole House in Sevenoaks is a grand 17th-century country house. It was the birthplace of Vita Sackville-West and features rare furniture, important paintings, and lovely gardens.

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum

Located at Lashenden (Headcorn) Airfield, this museum in Headcorn focuses on military aircraft and aviation history.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle in Leeds is a stunning former royal palace dating back to the 12th century. It has furnished rooms, a moat, an aviary, a maze, and beautiful gardens. It even has a unique dog collar museum!

Lullingstone Castle

This medieval manor house in Lullingstone has beautiful gardens and a rich history to explore.

Lullingstone Roman Villa

Operated by English Heritage, this site in Eynsford shows the excavated remains of a Roman villa. You can see artifacts from Roman times and learn about daily life in the villa.

Maidstone Museum & Art Gallery

This large museum in Maidstone has a wide range of collections: local history, natural history, geology, archaeology, and art. It even has Ancient Egyptian artifacts, costumes, Japanese art, and the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum.

Maison Dieu

Operated by English Heritage, Maison Dieu in Faversham is a 13th-century hospital that now houses Roman artifacts found in the area.

Margate Museum

This museum in Margate tells the local history and culture of the town. It's located in a former Victorian police station and magistrates court, which is interesting in itself!

Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum

In Minster, this museum covers local history and culture, giving you a glimpse into the past of the area.

New Mill, Willesborough

This mid-19th-century windmill in Willesborough also houses the Norman Museum.

Norman Museum

Located at New Mill in Willesborough, this museum has a collection of mopeds, motorcycles, and bicycles made by Norman Cycles.

New Tavern Fort

In Gravesend, you can explore the remains of an 18th-century fort, see guns from 1904, and learn about its role in World War II.

Old Brook Pumping Station

This 1920s pumping station in Chatham has two diesel engines and exhibits of local industrial equipment. It shows how water was managed in the past.

Old Soar Manor

Operated by English Heritage, Old Soar Manor in Borough Green is a small 13th-century stone manor house, offering a look at medieval living.

Owletts

Operated by the National Trust, Owletts in Cobham is a Charles II house and garden. It was once the home of architect Sir Herbert Baker.

Penshurst Place

Penshurst Place in Penshurst is a medieval mansion with beautiful gardens. You can explore state rooms, see tapestries, arms, and armour, and visit a toy museum.

Powell-Cotton Museum

In Birchington-on-Sea, this museum includes the 19th-century Quex House. The museum has amazing wildlife dioramas, African cultural objects, firearms, and porcelain from around the world.

Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Museum

Located in Dover Castle, this museum in Dover displays uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

Quebec House

Operated by the National Trust, Quebec House in Westerham was the childhood home of General James Wolfe. It has exhibits about his life, the Battle of Quebec (1759), and military memorabilia.

Queenborough Guildhall Museum

This museum in Queenborough covers local history, culture, industry, and maritime heritage.

RAF Manston History Museum

This museum in Manston tells the history of RAF Manston since 1916, focusing on aviation and military history.

Ramsgate Maritime Museum

This museum in Ramsgate explores the maritime history of East Kent, including the development of the harbour, navigation, fishing, lifeboats, and shipwrecks.

Restoration House

Restoration House in Rochester is an Elizabethan mansion and garden where King Charles II stayed in 1660 on his way to reclaim England's throne.

Rochester Art Gallery and Craft Case

In Rochester, this gallery features changing exhibits of fine art, craft, and design.

Roman Painted House

In Dover, you can see the excavated remains of a Roman mansio (a large Roman house) with painted walls and artifacts.

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway

The headquarters of this heritage railway in New Romney has engine sheds and a model train museum. It's a fun place for train lovers!

Romney Marsh Wartime Collection

Located in Brenzett, this museum covers the history of RAF Brenzett. It has remains from crashed aircraft, World War II aircraft, and military equipment.

Royal Engineers Museum

This museum in Gillingham tells the history of the Corps of Royal Engineers and British military engineering.

Rupert Bear Museum

Part of the Canterbury Heritage Museum, this special museum in Canterbury is dedicated to Rupert the Bear, a beloved children's character.

Salomons Museum

Located in Southborough, this country house was home to Sir David Salomons, the first Jewish Lord Mayor of London, and his nephew, Sir David Lionel Salomons, a scientist and engineer.

Sandwich Guildhall Museum

This museum in Sandwich covers local history and is housed in the historic Guildhall building.

Sarre Windmill

In Sarre, you can visit an early 19th-century windmill.

Scotney Castle

Operated by the National Trust, Scotney Castle in Lamberhurst features a 19th-century Elizabethan-style house, the ruins of a medieval castle and moat, and beautiful formal gardens.

Sevenoaks Museum

Part of the Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope, this museum covers local history and culture in Sevenoaks.

Sheerness Heritage Centre

This centre in Sittingbourne focuses on local history and has 19th-century-period rooms.

Shoreham Aircraft Museum

This museum in Shoreham is dedicated to military aviation in World War II. It displays relics from crashed RAF and Luftwaffe aircraft.

Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway

This 2 ft 6in narrow gauge heritage railway operates from Sittingbourne. It's a unique way to experience old industrial railways.

Sittingbourne Heritage Museum

This museum in Sittingbourne covers local history and archaeology.

Six Poor Travellers House

This 16th-century charity house in Rochester has restored Elizabethan bedrooms. It was the inspiration for Charles Dickens' short story, The Seven Poor Travellers.

Smallhythe Place

Operated by the National Trust, Smallhythe Place in Small Hythe is a 16th-century half-timbered house. It was the home of Victorian actress Ellen Terry and houses her theatrical costume collection.

South Foreland Lighthouse

Operated by the National Trust, this lighthouse in Dover was the first to be powered by electricity and the site of the first international radio transmission. You can learn about its important role in maritime history.

Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial Museum

In Manston, this museum honors World War II military aviators and aircraft. You can see aviation memorabilia and learn about these famous planes.

St Augustine's Abbey

Operated by English Heritage, this site in Canterbury has the remains and a museum about the 7th-century Benedictine abbey.

St Margaret's Museum

This museum in St Margaret's Bay focuses on local history and the environment.

Stelling Minnis Windmill and Museum

In Stelling Minnis, you can visit a mid-19th-century windmill, also known as Davison's Mill.

Stocks Mill

This 18th-century windmill in Wittersham is another example of Kent's historic mills.

Stoneacre

Operated by the National Trust, Stoneacre in Otham is a 15th-century half-timbered yeoman's house, showing how people lived centuries ago.

Swanton Mill

This weather-boarded watermill in Mersham is in working order, showing how water power was used for milling.

Teapot Island

In Yalding, Teapot Island has an incredible collection of over 3500 ceramic teapots! It's a quirky and fun place to visit.

Temple Manor

This 13th-century house in Strood belonged to the Knights Templar and has 17th-century additions.

Tenterden Museum

This museum in Tenterden covers local history, maritime heritage, and the growing and harvesting of hops. It also has a Victorian room.

The Canterbury Tales

In Canterbury, this attraction offers audio tours that bring The Canterbury Tales to life, making medieval stories fun and engaging.

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle features a Motte and bailey gatehouse with medieval period rooms and audio tours, letting you explore its history.

Tunbridge Wells Museum & Art Gallery

This museum in Royal Tunbridge Wells covers local history, toys, costumes, Tunbridge ware, natural history, and art.

Turner Contemporary

In Margate, this visual arts centre hosts exhibitions of contemporary and historical art, along with various events and activities.

Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages

Located in Maidstone, this museum has a collection of horse-drawn vehicles and other interesting transport curiosities.

Union Mill, Cranbrook

This early 19th-century windmill in Cranbrook is a prominent landmark and a great example of historic milling technology.

Upnor Castle

Operated by English Heritage, Upnor Castle in Upnor is an Elizabethan artillery fort. You can explore its military history and enjoy views of the river.

Walmer Castle and Gardens

Operated by English Heritage, Walmer Castle in Walmer was built by Henry VIII as a fortress. It later became a residence and has exhibits about the Duke of Wellington and beautiful gardens.

Walpole Bay Hotel & Museum

This 1914 hotel in Margate includes displays of hotel antiques, its own history, fossils, natural history artifacts, and 19th- and 20th-century glass.

Westenhanger Castle

Westenhanger Castle is a medieval castle with barns that are being restored. It even features a replica of the ship Discovery, one of the ships that helped establish the first permanent English colony in America.

West Gate Towers

In Canterbury, these towers display armaments from the English Civil War to World War II. You can also see original prison cells and "murder holes."

White Mill Rural Heritage Centre

This centre in Sandwich includes a mid-18th-century windmill, an early 20th-century miller's cottage, farming tools, and workshops for a wheelwright and blacksmith.

Whitstable Museum and Gallery

This museum in Whitstable covers local history, the maritime heritage of oysters, diving, and shipping, natural history, and art.

Woodchurch Mill

In Woodchurch, you can visit an early 19th-century Windmill.

Woodchurch Village Life Museum

This museum in Woodchurch focuses on local history, rural life artifacts, culture, and old trades and professions.