insideKENT Magazine Issue 75 - June 2018 | Page 60

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
KENT Museums
MUSEUMS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT. THEY’RE CRUCIAL
TO OUR UNDERSTANDING AND LEARNING BECAUSE
THEY CAN TEACH US ABOUT THE PAST, BRINGING
HISTORY TO LIFE IN ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT,
EXCITING, SOMETIMES EVEN INTERACTIVE WAYS.
WHEN WE’RE ABLE TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN
BEFORE, WE CAN STRIVE TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE.
Museums aren’t just about what has already
happened, however, in some cases they are about
what is to come – what the future holds. Other
museums are collections of fantastic things – weird
and wonderful; beautiful and precious. Whether
you choose to look back on the past or forward to
the future, a day out at a museum is always going
to be both educational and informative, and there’s
a healthy dose of fun thrown in too. Kent is a
county packed full of some of the most intriguing,
thought-provoking museums...here are some of
our favourites.
The Spitfire & Hurricane
Memorial Museum
46 THE MICRO MUSEUM 49 DOVER TRANSPORT MUSEUM 52 ROCHESTER GUILDHALL MUSEUM
The Micro Museum offers a glimpse into our
digital history and includes classic video
games that can be played. You’ll see vintage
computers and micro electronics too.
11 Church Hill, Ramsgate CT11 8RA
07876 271255
www.themicromuseum.org Dover Transport Museum is the only one
of its kind in Kent, showcasing vintage
transport that young and old enjoy in equal
measure. To add to the great displays there
are also lovely vintage shop fronts and a large
model railway.
Willingdon Road, Whitfield, Dover CT16 2JX
01304 822409
www.dovertransportmuseum.org.uk The Guildhall Museum is housed in a
stunning 17th-century building in Rochester.
Inside you will find beautiful architecture and
design and a fascinating timeline through
Medway’s long history.
17 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY
01634 332900
www.visitmedway.org/rochester-guildhall-
museum
50 RAF MANSTON HISTORY MUSEUM 53 DOVER MUSEUM
47 THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM
This museum is a special one. Once a real
working dockyard, the Historic Dockyard
Chatham is now home to many different
ships, boats and even a submarine that visitors
can explore. There are special events
taking place throughout the year, and for
drama fans you can even visit the set of the
BBC’s Call The Midwife.
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4TZ
01634 823800
www.thedockyard.co.uk
48 THE SPITFIRE & HURRICANE
MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Housed at the historic Battle of Britain airfield
in Manston, you can have the rare chance to
see the Spitfire and Hurricanes that flew
during World War II.
The Airfield, Manston Road,
Ramsgate CT12 5DF
01843 821940
www.spitfiremuseum.org.uk
60
Historic Dockyard Chatham
Manston has a fascinating, long and varied
history when it comes to aircraft, and this
museum details it all. This is the ideal place
for history and transport enthusiasts to enjoy
a day out.
Manston Road, Ramsgate CT12 5DF
01843 825224
www.rafmanston.co.uk
51 ROYAL ENGINEERS MUSEUM
The Royal Engineers Museum is the largest
military museum in Kent. It explains the story
of the Royal Engineers over their 300 year
history. Exhibits include 25 Victoria Crosses,
Wellington’s map of Waterloo, Zulu shields
and a massive V2 rocket.
Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR
01634 822839
www.re-museum.co.uk
Dover Museum delves into the local history
and archaeology of the area. It also contains
the remains of a 3,000-year-old bronze boat
– quite a sight to see.
Market Square, Dover CT16 1PH
01304 201066
www.dovermuseum.co.uk
54 MARGATE MUSEUM
Old prison cells mixed with local history –
Margate Museum is wonderfully strange and
extremely interesting.
Market Place, Margate CT9 1ER
01843 231213
www.margatemuseum.org