Museums and Galleries

Take a fresh look at Kent, England's oldest county, and get in touch with thousands of years of heritage and traditions before stepping into the 21st century at one of Kent's many exciting and cutting edge galleries.

What's new?

Kent Life, near Maidstone, re-opened its doors in the summer to reveal lots of new fun and exciting things to do, including the adventure play barn and cuddle corner which are an instant hit with the kids. The farm attraction also tells the story of hop picking, and recreates life in Victorian and 1950s farmhouses.

Also new this year is the Pinball Parlour in Ramsgate. This quirky museum houses a variety of pinball machines dating back to the 1960s, all open and playable! And if you become addicted, you can even buy one!

Opening in summer 2010, National Museums at Chatham will see a world-class collection of maritime exhibits brought together by the National Maritime Museum and the Imperial War Museum, and housed at The Historic Dockyard, Chatham.

Work is underway on the new Turner Contemporary being built in Margate, due for completion in 2011. The gallery will be a centre for visual arts, and is named after the artist JMW Turner, who described Margate as having ‘the loveliest skies in Europe'.

Something for everyone

For something a little different, head to Quex Museum in Birchington, home to a vast collection of African and Asian tribal and cultural weapons and costumes, as well as hundreds of animal dioramas, brought back by Major Powell-Cotton, a Victorian explorer.

Kent is also home to the world's oldest seagoing vessel, the Bronze Age Boat, at Dover Museum, crafted a mere 3,550 years ago. You can go underground in Canterbury Roman Museum to the level of the Roman town to browse the remains of a house, mosaics and reconstructions.

Learn about the life and time of beloved author Charles Dickens at the Guildhall Museum in Rochester, remember our war heroes at the Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge, browse over 100 period keyboard instruments at Finchcocks Musical Museum in Goudhurst and literally step back in time as you admire the magnificent clock collection at Belmont near Faversham, reputedly the finest collection in England.

Take some time to explore the Creative Quarter in Folkestone. The Creative Foundation is working to regenerate the once highly fashionable late Victorian and Edwardian seaside town and is encouraging artists to live and work in the area. Come and browse the many art galleries and studios which have recently opened their doors.

To browse a selection of smaller art galleries, click here.