Maidstone Museum
Maidstone Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Maidstone Museum a local authority-run museum located in Maidstone, Kent. 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 Free, with some paid events and exhibitions. From May 19th Wednesday-Saturday 10:00-16:00 ( last entry at 15:30) . School Holidays Excluding Bank Holidays : Monday - Saturday 10:00-16:00 Last Entry at 15:30 Seasonal Closures Apply. Currently operating in accordance with Government Guidelines : A One Way System Face masks are compulsory when entering, Test and Trace/ Check in before visiting , Some Galleries have remained closed due to social distancing
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Sam TFaversham, United Kingdom1 contributionFun, informative, and interactiveVisited MM today with primary school year 4. Ros delivered an informative, fun and interactive workshop that all the children enjoyed. The workshop provided the perfect build up to the main event - seeing a real mummy! An excellent day out for all our children who arrived excited and left still buzzing.Visited October 2023Travelled on businessWritten 12 October 2023
- Daniel YMaidstone, United Kingdom60 contributionsAmazing place with lots to see and doWhat an amazing place with so much to look at and do. We visited today on a school trip with 6-7 year olds. The kids had so much fun exploring all the different rooms and artefacts. Set over two/floors there are various rooms with different eras from Egyptian to dinosaurs and war items. The kids went round trying to find certain items on the activity sheets. Coloured dinosaurs at the art area and filled in clues whilst on their visit. The place is spacious, clean and well presented. I’m coming back with my partner soon as it would be really educational and interesting for adults too. I couldn’t believe you get all this for FREE!! Thank you to the very helpful staff today too :-)Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 7 March 2024
- Sarah W1 contributionGreat venueWe visited with a group of SEN students some of whom are wheelchair users, the museum has recently had a new stair lift fitted that enables disabled visitors to access the basement level of the museum without having to exit the building and re-enter via a different entrance, this is a fantastic improvement and meant that our students could be independent as they were able to operate the lift themselves. We visit many places as part of our life skills curriculum and this is definitely the best lift we have encountered. The students all had a great time exploring the museum and filling in the activity sheets.Visited March 2024Travelled on businessWritten 7 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
288 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
92
Average
26
Poor
4
Terrible
5
Nicolas
Ashford, UK2 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Visited today with my wife and we felt compelled to write about our experience.
The museum is free and there are serval signs upon entry promoting the use of masks, using the NHS app and the staff all had face masks on which was encouraging.
There was a full briefing about safety distances , the one way route, must see exhibitions,closed galleries and where the exit was.
The museum has taken onboard the government advice for COVID and looking at making your visit safe .
However before you get to look around , you have to endure the rudest and bluntest member of staff acting as passport control on the main desk . Before a friendly hello or standard greeting he reeled off a command for track and trace ( which we fully agree with ). However he spoke over my wife after as she did not understand his initial request. When she asked him to repeat, he got louder without changing any tone of his voice, as if we were being told off. He insisted that I had to complete the App check in, and when questioned if he was correct - he decided to misquote the government guidelines and argued with Me, My Wife and the embarrassed younger female staff member who was trying to end his ranting.
Eventually a well presented younger staff member told us to follow him to another desk where he calmly and clearly explained everything to us. This younger staff member was charismatic, friendly and a huge comparison to the scruffier older man slumped at the main desk.
The whole time we spoke to the friendly team member we could still hear the older man arguing loudly even though our interaction finished with him. He is the worst person for a welcome environment and lacks all customer service, especially as this is the first thing people are visiting during this pandemic.
If it wasn’t for the rest of the team who were wonderfully cheery and had great customer service , we would have walked straight away.
They rescued what could have been a fully negative review.
We aim to bring friends back when the Mummy area opens ( yes they have a mummy ) but I only hope the good team members are in.
The museum is free and there are serval signs upon entry promoting the use of masks, using the NHS app and the staff all had face masks on which was encouraging.
There was a full briefing about safety distances , the one way route, must see exhibitions,closed galleries and where the exit was.
The museum has taken onboard the government advice for COVID and looking at making your visit safe .
However before you get to look around , you have to endure the rudest and bluntest member of staff acting as passport control on the main desk . Before a friendly hello or standard greeting he reeled off a command for track and trace ( which we fully agree with ). However he spoke over my wife after as she did not understand his initial request. When she asked him to repeat, he got louder without changing any tone of his voice, as if we were being told off. He insisted that I had to complete the App check in, and when questioned if he was correct - he decided to misquote the government guidelines and argued with Me, My Wife and the embarrassed younger female staff member who was trying to end his ranting.
Eventually a well presented younger staff member told us to follow him to another desk where he calmly and clearly explained everything to us. This younger staff member was charismatic, friendly and a huge comparison to the scruffier older man slumped at the main desk.
The whole time we spoke to the friendly team member we could still hear the older man arguing loudly even though our interaction finished with him. He is the worst person for a welcome environment and lacks all customer service, especially as this is the first thing people are visiting during this pandemic.
If it wasn’t for the rest of the team who were wonderfully cheery and had great customer service , we would have walked straight away.
They rescued what could have been a fully negative review.
We aim to bring friends back when the Mummy area opens ( yes they have a mummy ) but I only hope the good team members are in.
Written 15 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback we appreciate your visit and your positive comments about our newly enforced restrictions.
Our team are on hand to provide a balance between a friendly welcome and ensuring that our visitors are keeping safe in these uncertain times. We are still learning and sometimes these messages get can get blurred, we endeavor to get this right in future, and feedback from visitors is useful.
We are thrilled that you did enjoy the collection and that you are planning a second visit to see our Ancient Lives Gallery. There are currently plans to make this area accessible and safe for visitors, but would suggest visiting our website for when this has reopened.
Once again thank you for providing this feedback, we are proud of the work our team carry out onsite and look forward to your return.
Written 17 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melanie G
27 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
I took my niece to the Maidstone Museum, as her topic at school was dinosaurs and very impressed by the exhibits in the museum.
The staff were very friendly and my niece loved the scavenger hunt that was available to participate in. I will definitely be visiting this museum again!
The staff were very friendly and my niece loved the scavenger hunt that was available to participate in. I will definitely be visiting this museum again!
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel Y
Maidstone, UK60 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
What an amazing place with so much to look at and do.
We visited today on a school trip with 6-7 year olds. The kids had so much fun exploring all the different rooms and artefacts.
Set over two/floors there are various rooms with different eras from Egyptian to dinosaurs and war items.
The kids went round trying to find certain items on the activity sheets. Coloured dinosaurs at the art area and filled in clues whilst on their visit.
The place is spacious, clean and well presented.
I’m coming back with my partner soon as it would be really educational and interesting for adults too.
I couldn’t believe you get all this for FREE!!
Thank you to the very helpful staff today too :-)
We visited today on a school trip with 6-7 year olds. The kids had so much fun exploring all the different rooms and artefacts.
Set over two/floors there are various rooms with different eras from Egyptian to dinosaurs and war items.
The kids went round trying to find certain items on the activity sheets. Coloured dinosaurs at the art area and filled in clues whilst on their visit.
The place is spacious, clean and well presented.
I’m coming back with my partner soon as it would be really educational and interesting for adults too.
I couldn’t believe you get all this for FREE!!
Thank you to the very helpful staff today too :-)
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taggert1
Diss, UK283 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Visited recently with grandchildren spent only a small amount of time probably due to their age. All covid restrictions in place and all one way. Shame that cafe not open.
Have visited before and will return as quite interesting and free.
Have visited before and will return as quite interesting and free.
Written 24 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan_KKent
Kent116 contributions
Oct 2020
The Sounds of Rural England is a non event and I am surprised that Maidstone still on their website “advertise” it an an exhibition!
I don’t consider 2 cases with Kentish items in it anything to do with the Sounds of......etc.
Come on Maidstone if it’s on it’s on if not don’t continue to advertise it, not fair.
I went with some friends and we were 7 so of course had already decided we would walk in a 4 and 3. A very officious individual at the entrance advised of Covid procedure and raised his voice several times, almost treating us like children.
He was rude and an obvious jobs worth!!
He also told us under NO circumstances are we to stop, chat or mingle on our visit!
( I’m sure we would have been hung drawn and quartered if he’d found us doing so)
Not an asset Maidstone on the front door when you have so many nice helpful staff on the team.
Nice man chatted and advised on the exit through the Rochester Bridge exhibition.
I don’t consider 2 cases with Kentish items in it anything to do with the Sounds of......etc.
Come on Maidstone if it’s on it’s on if not don’t continue to advertise it, not fair.
I went with some friends and we were 7 so of course had already decided we would walk in a 4 and 3. A very officious individual at the entrance advised of Covid procedure and raised his voice several times, almost treating us like children.
He was rude and an obvious jobs worth!!
He also told us under NO circumstances are we to stop, chat or mingle on our visit!
( I’m sure we would have been hung drawn and quartered if he’d found us doing so)
Not an asset Maidstone on the front door when you have so many nice helpful staff on the team.
Nice man chatted and advised on the exit through the Rochester Bridge exhibition.
Written 27 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam T
Faversham, UK1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Business
Visited MM today with primary school year 4.
Ros delivered an informative, fun and interactive workshop that all the children enjoyed. The workshop provided the perfect build up to the main event - seeing a real mummy!
An excellent day out for all our children who arrived excited and left still buzzing.
Ros delivered an informative, fun and interactive workshop that all the children enjoyed. The workshop provided the perfect build up to the main event - seeing a real mummy!
An excellent day out for all our children who arrived excited and left still buzzing.
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace
Maidstone, UK23 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
I went here with my little cousins and they really enjoyed it. I also came here loads on school trips in primary school and thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a very interesting museum and a lovely gift shop at the end.
Written 2 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erictW8695LJ
United Kingdom124 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
Whilst visiting the Maidstone area, decided to visit the Maidstone Museum, Glad we did. It was really interesting with exhibits displayed most professionally.
Although a small museum, there was plenty to look at and take in. Historical glimpses of Maidstone and further afield most interesting. If we ever visit this area again, we will try to fit in a further visit because one visit (for us) was just not long enough to take in everything.
And the staff are most friendly and helpful, endeavouring to answer our questions in a friendly way even though we appreciate they must get lots of similar questions from other visitors.
Highly recommended for people of all ages, so families looking for places to take their children in the Maidstone area would find this an excellent venue and admission is free as with most museums.
Although a small museum, there was plenty to look at and take in. Historical glimpses of Maidstone and further afield most interesting. If we ever visit this area again, we will try to fit in a further visit because one visit (for us) was just not long enough to take in everything.
And the staff are most friendly and helpful, endeavouring to answer our questions in a friendly way even though we appreciate they must get lots of similar questions from other visitors.
Highly recommended for people of all ages, so families looking for places to take their children in the Maidstone area would find this an excellent venue and admission is free as with most museums.
Written 3 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James - United Kingdom - Kent
Faversham, UK176 contributions
Jun 2015
I have always like this museum and is no fee.
The story behind the museum and history is good, certainly worth spending an hour to visit in Maidstone.
It is very near the high street and worth a visit.
Also for the younger children, does have a dinosaur section and real Egyptian mummy.
The story behind the museum and history is good, certainly worth spending an hour to visit in Maidstone.
It is very near the high street and worth a visit.
Also for the younger children, does have a dinosaur section and real Egyptian mummy.
Written 19 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fomzine
Woking, UK340 contributions
Oct 2020
Lots to see in this local museum, a section on the local army battalions. A natural history zone. A special exhibit on Japanese and Nepalese customs and costumes (the Nepalese exhibit is a temporary feature), classical paintings and local industry. We spent over an hour but could easily have spent longer.
It is a nice building, looking like an old manor house from the outside and parts of the building inside have retained this authentic historical style. Everywhere seemed clean and well maintained. Toilets were very clean, always a bonus.
There are so many different things to see a map would be useful for first time visitors, especially as the one way layout makes it (understandably) more restrictive to move around the building if you want to focus on certain areas.
Like others we experienced a marked difference in staff. A very friendly and helpful chap at the reception desk who talked us through the covid-19 arrangements and then sent us on our way informed about what to see and how to go around the museum. Then later as we approached the local industrial section there was member of staff who barked at us very sharply about how well fitted our masks were. We were wearing them properly, but felt under scrutiny to make a millimetre adjustment to silence the criticism. As with other visitors that have left reviews on TripAdvisor, this poor attitude blighted our visit. Clearly as we are not alone in having a negative experience with a member of staff, management need to address this.
My son said he would have liked to have had more interactive exhibits. This would make it better for engaging and holding the attention of younger visitors. If it had this, and if we hadn’t had to endure the over officious member of staff, I would have awarded 5 stars.
Overall this museum was both bigger and better than we expected for a local museum that is free to enter.
It is a nice building, looking like an old manor house from the outside and parts of the building inside have retained this authentic historical style. Everywhere seemed clean and well maintained. Toilets were very clean, always a bonus.
There are so many different things to see a map would be useful for first time visitors, especially as the one way layout makes it (understandably) more restrictive to move around the building if you want to focus on certain areas.
Like others we experienced a marked difference in staff. A very friendly and helpful chap at the reception desk who talked us through the covid-19 arrangements and then sent us on our way informed about what to see and how to go around the museum. Then later as we approached the local industrial section there was member of staff who barked at us very sharply about how well fitted our masks were. We were wearing them properly, but felt under scrutiny to make a millimetre adjustment to silence the criticism. As with other visitors that have left reviews on TripAdvisor, this poor attitude blighted our visit. Clearly as we are not alone in having a negative experience with a member of staff, management need to address this.
My son said he would have liked to have had more interactive exhibits. This would make it better for engaging and holding the attention of younger visitors. If it had this, and if we hadn’t had to endure the over officious member of staff, I would have awarded 5 stars.
Overall this museum was both bigger and better than we expected for a local museum that is free to enter.
Written 15 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Carol, there is a lift in the main reception area which leads to our temporary exhibition, Japanese & art galleries. You are able to access the Tudor hall, Regimental Museum, Cafe, Local History & Costume galleries through the front courtyard entrance also. We have fitted a new external glass lift that allows access to our Ancient Lives, Explorers & Archaeology galleries but it is quite small so it will depend on the size & weight of the mobility scooter as to whether these three galleries are accessible on the lift. If you speak to the team when you arrive they will advise and assist where necessary so you can get the most out of your visit.
We hope to see you soon.
Written 15 July 2018
Alexandra G
Maidstone, United Kingdom
Hello,
Maidstone Museum is completely free of charge to visit.
We hope to see you soon!
Written 17 March 2015
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