Our Museums | Maidstone Museum

Three museums. One shared story.

Maidstone Museums brings together three distinct museums, each with its own focus, collection, and location. Though the majority of our 600,000 artefacts can be found in the former Chillington Manor on St Faith’s Street, we also operate the renowned Maidstone Carriage Museum and the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Museum. Both museums offer equally compelling collections, and represent popular attractions in the borough of Maidstone.

Together, they reflect the breadth of Maidstone’s heritage—from art and world cultures to transport history and military life. While they are connected through a shared history and organisation, each museum offers a different experience.

Explore our museums

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

The main museum is located in the heart of Maidstone and brings together a wide range of collections within a historic building.
Galleries include fine and decorative art, archaeology, natural history, and world cultures, alongside temporary exhibitions and family-friendly displays.

Explore Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

Maidstone Carriage Museum

The Carriage Museum is located separately from the main museum and is home to a nationally significant collection of horse-drawn vehicles. The collection highlights craftsmanship, design, and the role of transport in everyday life, from working vehicles to more formal carriages.
If you’re planning to visit both sites, it’s worth checking travel details in advance.

Explore Maidstone Carriage Museum

Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum

Located within Maidstone Museum, this museum tells the story of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment through objects, uniforms, medals, and personal histories.
It also supports research into military history and family connections to the regiment.

Explore the Queen’s Own Museum

Planning your visit

The three museums are experienced slightly differently, particularly as the Carriage Museum is in a separate location.

For opening times, directions, and practical information, visit the main planning page.

Go to Plan your visit

Part of Maidstone’s history

Maidstone Museums has developed over time through collecting, bequests, and local support. Each museum reflects a different part of that story, from the founding of the main museum to the development of specialist collections like the Carriage Museum and the regimental museum.

Explore the history of Maidstone Museums