Maidstone Museums

Maidstone Museums One of the best regional museums in the South-East. From local history to dinosaurs, come & explore. The Museum has seasonal opening hours. Admission is free.
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Please note last entry is 3.30pm. Maidstone Museum is a fantastic place to spend the day with the family, with your class, with a partner or even for some alone time. We have many exhibits including Egyptian, Anglo-Saxon, Japanese, Pacific Islands, the history of Maidstone, dinosaurs, Art exhibits and much more to see! Maidstone Visitor Information is now in the reception area of the museum, so if

you have any questions , or would like information on places to visit or stay, come and see us. All ages welcome, we have many activity days for children and adults alike to enjoy. Our opening hours will change throughout the year, especially around school holidays, so please check our website museum.maidstone.gov.uk for live opening times. Want to bring a school group along? Book a meeting room or have any questions? Then please call us on 01622 602838 or email us at [email protected] .

A devastating sight. The aftermath of a fire at Snodland Paper Mill on Sunday August 12, 1906. The talk 'Ashes to Action...
01/06/2026

A devastating sight. The aftermath of a fire at Snodland Paper Mill on Sunday August 12, 1906. The talk 'Ashes to Action' this week on Thursday 4 June explores the historic challenges of firefighting in Kent. Book your tickets using the link in the description.

[Image 1: a black and white photo depicting the ruins of Snodland Paper Mill following fire]

This : The ‘Marquis of Granby’ Public House, Middle Row, Maidstone, c. 1900. Situated at no. 10 Middle Row, the landlor...
29/05/2026

This : The ‘Marquis of Granby’ Public House, Middle Row, Maidstone, c. 1900. Situated at no. 10 Middle Row, the landlord, George Camford, allowed the fraternity of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes to use the pub’s meeting room. If you look carefully at the gas lamp you can see their initials RAOB (Old Maidstone Collection (OM015)



[Image description: A black-and-white photograph of a traditional shopfront with large windows and central double doors. Signs and notices are displayed in the windows, and an arched passageway on the right shows two children standing nearby.]

Step back in time and join us for a night of high-energy 50s rock ‘n’ roll with live music from Slim Si and the Smokin A...
28/05/2026

Step back in time and join us for a night of high-energy 50s rock ‘n’ roll with live music from Slim Si and the Smokin Aces !

Get your dancing shoes on and enjoy a fantastic evening of vintage hits, great vibes, and classic jukebox favourites on Saturday 20 June 2026 from 7:30pm to 11pm.

It's an unmissable night and we're ready to raise the roof!

🎸 Tickets cost £15 per person and this event is open to over 18's only. Link in the comments.

Thanks to Craft Brewed for providing the bar service!

Thank you to Leigh Academy Bearsted, who recently borrowed our Dinosaurs loans box! When our box came back, it was accom...
26/05/2026

Thank you to Leigh Academy Bearsted, who recently borrowed our Dinosaurs loans box!

When our box came back, it was accompanied by lovely thank you notes from all the children.

This was a lovely surprise and we hope you all had fun learning about dinosaurs and Spike!

With over 40 boxes covering 23 different themes, our boxes are suitable for schools use to inspire children’s learning.

See all of our exciting loans boxes and find out more by visiting our website 👉 https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/learn/loans-boxes/

[Image Description: handwritten feedback, collected with illustrations of dinosaurs and a cartoon graphic of Spike the dinosaur with thumbs up]

. This remarkable canoe from the Solomon Islands is decorated with shell inlay and motifs of birds and fish. The canoes...
25/05/2026

. This remarkable canoe from the Solomon Islands is decorated with shell inlay and motifs of birds and fish. The canoes were used for transport between island, fishing and cultural ceremonies. Collected by Julius Brenchley from the Solomon Islands, Isabel Island in 1865.



[Image description: Image 1: A museum display featuring a long wooden canoe with historical photographs and panels on the wall behind it.
Image 2:
Close-up of a wooden surface with a dark, inlaid fish design decorated with light inserts.
Image 3:
A carved wooden animal-head handle with simple circular eyes and small horn-like shapes.]

For : An entrance to Digons House, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, c. 1920s. A fine piece of architectural photography o...
22/05/2026

For : An entrance to Digons House, Knightrider Street, Maidstone, c. 1920s. A fine piece of architectural photography of the Washington family house. There are a number of images of Digons that were taken by Marley who probably asked permission to record it before it was demolished. (Marley Collection (MC046)



Image description: A black-and-white image of a historic stone building with steep, tiled roofs and tall, narrow windows. Ivy climbs across much of the exterior, partially covering the walls and framing an arched doorway at the entrance. The scene has a quiet, traditional character, with textured stonework and overgrown greenery adding to its aged appearance.]

Cyanotype Tote Bag Workshop with Mona Whitton Art Get creative and design your own eco‑friendly tote bag in this hands‑...
20/05/2026

Cyanotype Tote Bag Workshop with Mona Whitton Art

Get creative and design your own eco‑friendly tote bag in this hands‑on workshop with Kent‑based artist Mona Whitton. No experience needed, just come along and learn a beautiful cyanotype technique with all materials provided.

📅 Saturday 6 June 2026
⏰ Choose from three sessions: 9–11am | 12–2pm | 3–5pm

A perfect chance to try something new and take home your own handmade creation.

Find out more and book via the link in the comments 👇
📸 Mona Whitton



Image descriptions: Image 1: A cream-coloured canvas tote bag filled with fresh vegetables, including carrots and asparagus, sits on a woven brown surface. The bag features a blue cyanotype panel printed with three white fish illustrations.
Image 2: A blue-and-white botanical print showing delicate leaf and plant shapes arranged across a deep blue background, resembling a cyanotype-style artwork.

19/05/2026

Step into history at Maidstone Museum with Ashes to Action: The History of Firefighting in Kent 🚒

Join ex‑firefighter Clive Bradburn as he takes you on a journey from the 17th century right through to modern times, sharing powerful stories from Kent’s fire brigades.

- Thursday 4 June 2026
- 7–8:30pm
- All welcome

A fascinating evening for anyone interested in local history and the people who helped keep Kent safe.

Find out more and book your tickets via the link in the comments 👇

Happy International Museums Day!
18/05/2026

Happy International Museums Day!

this ceremonial axe has a handle covered with bark cloth and bound with plaited sinnet. The cord below the blade is ma...
18/05/2026

this ceremonial axe has a handle covered with bark cloth and bound with plaited sinnet. The cord below the blade is made from flying fox hair. This type of axe was a traditional exchange between chiefs. From the late 19th Century, the axes become larger, perhaps due to interest from Western collectors and colonial administators. Collected by Julius Brenchley in 1865 from New Caledonia.



Image description: Image 1: A historic jade axe from New Caledonia displayed on fabric, with a polished stone head and a wooden handle bound with woven fibres.
Image 2: Close‑up of the smooth green jade axe head showing natural patterns and surface markings.
Image 3: Detail of the axe handle wrapped tightly with braided cord.

Address

St Faith's Street
Maidstone
ME141LH

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 3:30pm
Friday 10am - 3:30pm
Saturday 10am - 3:30pm

Telephone

441622602838

Website

https://linktr.ee/maidstonemuseum

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