Name: Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery
Rating: 5.0

Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Gallery

Maidstone Museum, St Faith's St, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Maidstone Museum is a local authority-run museum located in Maidstone, Kent, England, featuring internationally important collections including fine art, natural history, and human history. The museum is one of three operated by Maidstone Borough Council. The building is Grade II listed.

Maidstone Museum is home to a vast collection of fine art and historical artefacts, with over 600,000 items of international importance to discover. Founded in 1858 as the Charles Museum – after local Doctor Thomas Charles bequeathed his art and antiquities to the borough council in 1855 – the museum is housed in Chillington Manor, a charming Elizabethan mansion in Maidstone town centre.

If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Free
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Explore: Exploring Maidstone Museum and its 600,000 artefacts means travelling through history both local and international, and visiting works of bygone eras and contemporary collections. Such is the scale of the collections housed at the museum, taking the time to explore at leisure or on repeat visits is a must. In order to ensure you get the most from your visit, our museum floor plan details where each and every collection can be found, enabling you to plot a course to discover areas of interest. From ancient Egypt to fine and decorative art, you’ll be able to experience all that Maidstone Museum has to offer.
Collections: Established in 1858, and with more than 600,000 artefacts and specimens, Maidstone Museum represents one of the best and largest collections in the South East of England, outside of London. Our collections are outstanding in their diversity and quality; with some of significant national and international importance. The work of collectors, staff, and benefactors over the years has created an overwhelmingly rich and diverse collection.
Loans: Due to the Coronavirus situation, the museum currently has a hold on the consideration and acceptance of new requests for loans in or loans out.
Research enquiries: The museum currently has a hold on behind the scenes appointments for the public and researchers. As an alternative we can send you information from our records and images of the item(s) if available. Please note, we cannot accept researcher visits without an appointment.
Talks and tours: Among the many popular events that take place at Maidstone Museum are talks and tours by our team of experienced curators, as well as informative lectures by artists and collections experts. The talks cover a huge array of subjects and are often related to the temporary exhibitions on display within the museum, thereby enabling you to learn and discover in equal measure. Similarly, the tours of our collections offer the chance to learn more about their origins and history. We even offer behind-the-scenes tours that offer a fascinating glimpse into the storerooms at Maidstone Museum, revealing even more of the magnificent artefacts that we preserve and curate.
Museum Lates: Our programme of Museum Lates provides visitors to the museum with the chance to enjoy talks, demonstrations, and interactive activities with friendly and welcoming company. We always try to ensure that our Museum Late events complement either the season or the exhibitions currently on display throughout the museum, thereby enabling you to get more from your visit. Regardless of the subject matter, you can be confident that the experience offered by our Museum Lates enables you to enjoy informative and engaging evenings alongside other museum enthusiasts. Over 18s only.
Events and exhibitions: Maidstone Museum regularly features temporary exhibitions and collections, with a calendar of events bringing a range of cultural works to the region. These high-quality and diverse touring collections ensure that there is always something new and exciting to discover on your visit to the museum, and takes in an eclectic selection of works from local and international artists and exhibitors. Exhibition space is also available to rent within the westspace.

Facilities

Parking: Pay and display car parking is available the Fremlin Walk multi-storey car park, which is located opposite the museum, and a limited number of disabled parking spaces are available on Station Road along the walled edge of Brenchley Gardens.
Food & Drinks: We no longer have a cafe. Coffee shops are available nearby in Fremlin Walk.

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Price

Price: Free

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Children's birthday parties:
Option 1: The cost is £150 payable at the museum in person 2 weeks before the party.

Dinosaur Themed Party – suitable for age 4-7 year old's.
This includes a party host for 1.5 hours, a crafting dinosaur activity followed by an exploring treasure hunt around the museum, use of a dedicated party room with tables and chairs for you to use for a further 30 minutes for you to bring own party food ( We provide squash and water ).
The maximum number of children we can host is 10, and 2 adults (max 4) must be present during the duration of the party .

Option 2: The cost is £150 payable at the museum in person 2 weeks before the party.

Egyptian Themed Party – suitable for age 7-11 year olds.
This includes a party host for 1.5 hours, an Egyptian themed activity followed by an exploring treasure hunt around the museum, use of a dedicated party room with tables and chairs for you to use for a further 30 minutes for you to bring own party food ( We provide squash and water ).
The maximum number of children we can host is 10, and 2 adults must be present during the duration of the party.

Option 3: The cost is £100 payable at the museum in person 2 weeks before the party.

Hire the room and deliver your own party.
Max capacity 10 children. Access to room for 2 hours to use for your own activities.

For more information please visit: https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/facilities-hire/childrens-parties/

General Opening Hours

Open: 10am – 4pm & Last entry - 3.30pm.
Closed: Sundays.

Low Season (Term Time)

Open: Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Closed: Sunday – Tuesday.

High Season (School Holidays)

Open: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm (last entry 3.30pm)
Closed: Sundays.

Time may vary please check here: https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/visit-us/opening-times/

Address: Maidstone Museum, St Faith's St, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1LH, UK

Post Code: ME14 1LH

Council: Maidstone

County: Kent

Travel by car: Exit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre and Maidstone East train station. Continue by following the brown heritage signs to Maidstone Museum.
Travel by train: The nearest train station to Maidstone Museum is Maidstone East, which is a simple two-minute walk through Brenchley Gardens. If you travel via the Medway Valley Line, alight at Maidstone Barracks and take a five-minute walk over the bridge, following the Maidstone East rail tracks to Maidstone East Station.
Travel by bus: Maidstone Museum is only a short walk from the Chequers Bus Station, taking approximately ten minutes. However, if you wish to continue by bus, you can take a short stroll from the Chequers Bus Station to King Street, Stop G, where you can catch the 503 or 85 towards Maidstone Town Centre. Disembark at the Royal Star Arcade or Brenchley Gardens stops, and take the short walk to the museum.
Parking: Pay and display car parking is available the Fremlin Walk multi-storey car park, which is located opposite the museum, and a limited number of disabled parking spaces are available on Station Road along the walled edge of Brenchley Gardens.