Museums in Kent – South Kent

For things to do in Kent look no further than the rich tapestry of the county’s history and heritage through its captivating museums covering a vast array of collections. Encompassing seaside, religious, regional, and heritage collections, explore a world of the county heritage, culture, and nature all within the stunning Garden of England. Seaside delights, aviation history, agricultural displays, town treasures, and lots, lots more. Check out our comprehensive list of all the Museums in Kent, we’ve conveniently categorized the museums by region by area: Museums in Kent – South Kent, Museums in Kent – North Kent, Museums in Kent – East Kent and Museums in Kent – West Kent.

MUSEUMS IN SOUTH KENT
Covering Deal, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe.

SANDWICH MEDIEVAL CENTRE
This maritime and land-based craft living museum is based at the wooden boatyard building on the slipway by the Quay in the town. It is a base for educating and mentoring in medieval crafts and skills to ensure that the rich history of Sandwich in this period is not lost to future generations. With regular workshops and events including reenactments. Winter opening hours: Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday 11am-2pm. Price: Free entry, though for some events there is a charge. Read More

SANDWICH GUILDHALL MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
The museum holds documents and material related to the history of Sandwich. The collection includes maps, plans, photographs, as well as books and research that provide a background to the historic towns and nearby towns history. It also includes the 1300AD Sandwich Magna Carta in this 16th-century building. Time; Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm. Price: Free entry. Read More

DEAL TIMEBALL TOWER & MUSEUM
A Victorian maritime Greenwich Mean Time signal is located on the roof of a museum that showcases exhibits about the history of the tower and its use for navigation aid, the fight against smuggling, signalling, and the mechanics of the Timeball itself. Telescopes on the top floor give unrivalled views of the town and the sea. People can regularly see the dropping of the ball at various times, which in the past was to show people the time. Time: Various – see our listing for dates. Price: Adult: £3, Child – 5 years +: £2, Concession: £2, Child – under 5 years: Free.

KENT MUSEUM OF MOVING IMAGE – MOMI
Deal
The museum explores the history of the moving image. from the days of candle-lit magic lantern performances and hand-painted slides, through Victorian visual experimentation, to the advent and heyday of the cinema. Tours are also available. Time: Friday to Sunday & Bank Holidays: 11am-5pm. Price: Tickets last for a year – Adult: £7, Concessions – Senior Citizens, Students, & Unemployed: £6, Under 16 years: £4. Read More.

DEAL MARITIME AND LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Housed in an old industrial building on the site of a former market garden, Deal Maritime and Local History Museum itself has as rich a history and portrays the changing history of Deal, Walmer and surrounding areas that are ‘packed to the rafters with fascinating glimpses into the past’. It has maritime and local history galleries as well as a Royal Marines exhibition. Time: April to October. Price: Free – donations welcome. Read More

KENT MINING MUSEUM
Betteshanger Country Park, Deal
Built on the former Betteshanger Colliery site, draws on the collection built up over the years by the East Kent coalfield communities and aims to complete the story of mining in the UK. It offers a range of exhibitions, events and experiences including meet a miner at this mining heritage centre.
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9.30am-4pm. Price: Free to enter – donations welcome. Parking charges apply for the park. Read More

DOVER MUSEUM & BRONZE AGE BOAT GALLERY
famous for its Bronze Age Boat, the world’s oldest known seagoing vessel, discovered in 1992 and thought to be around 3,000 years old. The museum is one of the oldest in Kent, originally founded in 1836. As well as the castle, Dover’s rich history from prehistoric times, Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages are showcased. Time:  April to September, Monday to Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm, Sunday: 10am to 3pm. October to March, Monday to Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm. Price: Free. Read More

PRINCESS OF WALES’S REGIMENT AND QUEEN’S REGIMENT MUSEUM
Dover
Discover the history of the Princess of Wales’s Regiment and Queen’s Regiment through displays, collections, interactive videos and recordings, dating as far back as 1572. The Museum can be found in English Heritage’s Dover Castle’s Keep. Opening hours – vary throughout the year see our listing here for full times, entry prices, and further details.

DOVER TRANSPORT MUSEUM
See exhibits of vintage transport and historic vehicles with attractions that will interest all the family. Two exhibition halls reveal street scenes of Dover’s past such as vintage garage and motorcycle shop fronts, that will trigger fond memories for grandparents. There is a large visitor-operated model railway and a taxi & bus hunt for children. In addition to the extensive collection of transport memorabilia, there is also a Romany life display. Time: Wednesday, Sunday and Bank Holidays: 10.30am-3.30pm.  Last entry 2.30pm. Price: Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, but not if purchased for a special event. Adult: £12, Child – 5-16 years: £6, Child – under 5 years: Free, Family – 2 adults +2 children:/1 adult +3 children: £25, Carer: Free. One child free per Max Card when accompanied by a paying adult or carer. Read More

FOLKESTONE MUSEUM
The Museum is full of treasures found in the town that date back as far as the Bronze Age. Locals also donated items such as costumes, artworks and engravings that showcase the town’s history. Time: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. Advised to check their website before visiting. Price: Free – donations welcome. Hold regular events throughout the year. Read More

KENT BATTLE OF BRITAIN MUSEUM
Folkestone
Located on a former RAF airfield, the museum has the largest collection of memorabilia, artefacts, and relics from The Battle of Britain between July and October 1940, and was a major air campaign with 3,000 RAF fighters. With over 700 crashed aircraft on display, including two full-sized replicas built for the 1968 film The Battle of Britain. Time: 29th March to 10th November 2024, Tuesday to Sunday, and Bank Holidays. May to September
10am-5pm, October to November: 10am-4pm.  Price: Adult: £10, Senior Citizen – 60 years+: £9, Child – 5-15 years: £4. Read more

ELHAM VALLEY LINE TRUST COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE & RAILWAY MUSEUM
Folkestone
Elham Valley Railway Line, the Museum showcases the highlights of the railway that ran through Elham Valley between Canterbury and Folkestone from 1884 to 1947. Exhibits include artefacts and models, including a working scale model of the Channel Tunnel terminal at Cheriton. There is also a miniature railway ride for children. The Countryside Centre is housed in a 290-year-old barn close to the Museum, where you can learn about the barn’s history and machinery used in the Channel Tunnel’s construction. You can also get on board the last remaining man-rider which carried workers to the tunnel. Time: Two weeks before Easter until the end of November, weekends and Bank Holidays: 10am-4pm. Price: Adults: £4, Child – under 16 years: £3. Read More

HYTHE LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
local history museum is based within the Town Council house, a former Doctor’s home and surgery adjacent to the Royal Military Canal, and accessed via the local library. Travel through the history of Hythe from Roman times and then as a Cinque Port, with maps, furniture, costume, military equipment (linked to the Small Arms School of Musketry in Hythe for over 100 years before it was moved to Warminster), commercial, civic and social objects. Opening Hours – when Hythe Library is open – Monday: 9.30am-5pm (while Folkestone Library is closed) Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am-5pm, Saturday: 9.30am-4.30pm. Price: Free. Read More

ROMNEY MARSH WARTIME COLLECTION
Collection of aircraft, engines, cockpits, and uniforms from Air Force, Navy, Army and Ghurkha items, plus lots more. Housed in a formerly Land Army Hostel. Time: April to October – check website for exact dates – Saturday and Sunday, Monday during school and bank holidays: 10.30am-4.30pm. Adult: £6, Concession: £5, Child- under 16 years: Free. Romney Marsh Maritime Weekend: Adult: £8, Concession £8, Child- under 16 years: Free. Read More

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Picture credit: © Dover Transport Museum.