Maidstone Museum is an excellent museum focusing on local history, with a diverse collection of artefacts and exhibits that provide insights into the history, art and culture of the area.
In addition to locally-significant artefacts, the museum also has important international displays including a significant Japanese collection and the chair that Napoleon Bonaparte used while in exile.
It is housed in a Grade II* listed Elizabethan manor house, formerly known as Chillington Manor.
![Maidstone Museum is a great little museum at the northern edge of the town centre in Maidstone, Kent. (Photo: Helmuc [CC BY-SA 4.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/maidstone-museum-exterior.jpg)
What to see at Maidstone Museum
Maidstone Museum offers visitors a diverse range of exhibits that encompass various aspects of art, natural history and human history.
The fine art collection showcases remarkable works from the 16th to the 20th centuries, including paintings, sculptures and decorative arts. The statue of Lady Godiva by John Thomas (1813–1862) is considered one of the highlights of the museum’s fine art collection.
![The statue of Lady Godiva by John Thomas is considered one of the highlights of the museum’s fine art collection. (Photo: Linda Spashett [CC BY 3.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/maidstone-museum-lady-godiva.jpg)
The natural history exhibits feature fascinating specimens like fossils, minerals and a collection of animals from around the world.
Exploring the human history collection provides a captivating journey through the past, spanning from the Stone Age to the present day, with highlights including an Egyptian mummy, a 4000-year-old kernos from Melos in Greece as well as the chair that Napoleon Bonaparte sat in while in exile in St Helena.
![One of the highlights of the museum is the chair used by Napoleon Bonaparte when he was exiled on St Helena. (Photo: Helmuc [CC BY-SA 4.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/maidstone-museum-napoleons-chair.jpg)
Temporary exhibitions at the Maidstone Museum
In addition to its permanent collection, Maidstone Museum also has a programme of temporary exhibitions.
Visiting Maidstone Museum
Maidstone Museum is at the northern end of the town centre, on the opposite side of Brenchley Gardens to Maidstone East railway station. From here, it is a four-minute walk to Maidstone East railway station and most points of interest in the town centre are no more than a 10-minute walk away.
Admission to the museum is free of charge and it is open Monday to Saturday between mid-July and late August and between Wednesday and Saturday outside the peak season.
Allow around an hour for your visit to the museum.
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