Museums & Galleries

With the many museums in Kent, a trip to Maidstone means you are certain to observe and absorb plenty of art and history. Museums, galleries and theatres make Maidstone the perfect place for a cultured break.

Museums

The award winning Maidstone Museum housed in a charming Elizabethan Manor house is well worth a visit. One of the finest regional museum's in England with special collections of medieval, Japanese, Roman and Egyptian artefacts, as well as lots of natural history pieces.

The Maidstone Carriage Museum is dubbed the finest collection of horse-drawn vehicles in Europe. The unique collection of more than 60 vehicles includes: grand carriages, ornate sleighs and even an original ice cream cart. The museum is located in the beautiful 14th century Archbishops' Palace Stable.

Kent Life is home to an outstanding collection of historic buildings, exhibitions, gardens and farm animals, reflecting changes to life in Kent in the 19th & 20th Centuries.

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum has wartime exhibits and memorabilia from both Britain and Germany on display dating from 1911 to the present day, including a pilotless VI flying bomb, log books, ration books and many photographs.

Don't forget the Dog Collar Museum at Leeds Castle: a unique collection of historic and fascinating dog collars, the only one of its kind in Great Britain.  Take time to watch the video of the castle's history as it evolves over time.

Art Galleries

Some interesting artists have settled in this area of Kent and extend a range of diversity in a variety of media.  Some have open studios occasionally, some are open most of the year and some are open only for the summer season. Alex John has a delightful studio of paintings and sculpures at Loddington which open every Saturday.  

The art collections on display within the Bentlif Art Gallery at Maidstone Museum contain many pre-1800 Dutch and Italian Old Masters. The vast collections number over 2500 items including 40 Old Masters drawings, and watercolours by Maidstone-born artists Albert Goodwin, William Alexander and more.

Tyland Barn at Kent Wildlife Trust has a small gallery space which often features wildlife related works by different artists.  

Don't forget Aylesford Pottery and This Art of Mine.