Museum and galleries - information and advice
Maidstone museum and Bentlif Art Gallery
Housed in a charming Elizabethan Manor House, in the centre of
Maidstone - Kent's County Town - stands our exceptional Museum.
Each gallery will fascinate and surprise; with a wealth of exhibits
and objects to see and enjoy.
Entry is Free.
Opening Times
Monday - Saturday 10am - 5.15pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
The Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages
This museum offers an insight into the fascinating history of
transport and is home to a unique collection of horse-drawn
vehicles and transport curiosities. More than 60 vehicles are
displayed, from grand carriages such as Queen Victoria’s State
Landau to antique sedan chairs and Victorian ‘growlers’.
The Carriage Museum collection was the gift of Sir Garrard
Tyrwhitt-Drake, twelve times Mayor of Maidstone. He began
collecting carriages when he realised that the horse-drawn vehicles
of his childhood were being forced off the road by the motor car.
Thanks to his energy and enthusiasm the Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of
Carriages opened in 1946. It was the first of its kind in Britain
and is still viewed as one of the finest in Europe. The collection
is housed in the 14th century stables, part of the medieval
Archbishop’s Palace complex used by the Archbishop of Canterbury
when travelling through the county.
The Queen's Own West Kent Regiment Museum
This independent museum has been housed within Maidstone Museum
since 1963. It is packed with fascinating, colourful and
thought-provoking exhibits. It tells the story of this famous local
regiment, beginning with its forebears, the local Militia and the
50th and 97th Foot, and recounting their exploits during the
British Army’s many 18th and 19th century campaigns.
It continues with the Royal West Kent’s service in the First
World War, their dramatic and harrowing exploits during the Siege
of Kohima in the Second World War and ends with their eventual
amalgamation with other regiments in 1961.
The fabulous Sutlej Gun and the Museum’s four Victoria Crosses
are some of the many treasures on display.
Opening Times
Monday - Saturday 10am
- 17.15 pm
Sunday 11.00 - 16.00
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day
Graham Clarke Gallery - Hazlitt Arts Centre
DIMENSIONS: Length -
10m, Width – 5m, Working height – 2.8m,
Door heights – 1.97m (6’6”)
Max. door width – 1.17m (3’10”)
HANGING: Walls are
plastered, skimmed and painted white. There are 3xhanging
tracks: one along each long wall and a third down the centre of the
room.
Feel free to discuss preferred hanging
options with us. There is a shelf of 0.2m depth at a height of 1m
along the south wall.
RECEPTION: There is a
reception area (approx 4m square) with a reception desk which is
staffed (by us) from 10am – 6pm Monday – Saturday.
It is sometimes possible to exhibit
items in this area.
Please call to discuss this
option.
FACILITIES: There is
a unit containing 2x sinks which can be covered when not in use.
There are radiators under the shelf along the south wall. There are
13A domestic sockets available around the room including at high
(ceiling) level. The gallery adjoins our café area (daytime) / bar
area (evenings).
LIGHTING: There is
some natural light from roof lights in the centre of the room. The
reception area has windows providing natural light from one wall.
There are 2 x lighting tracks, 1 at each mid-point between the side
hanging rails and the centre rail, allowing spots and wall-washers
to be
used to light exhibits. These also
provide a small amount of ambient lighting to the room.
There are fluorescent lights for use
when hanging exhibitions or running workshops.
SOUND: We play gentle
music (classical, jazz, musical theatre) to our reception and café
areas which can also be played in the gallery. You may chose not to
have music, or to provide your own.
ACCESS: The Graham
Clarke Gallery is on the first floor and so access is up 16 stairs
or via passenger lift.
Opening Time
9.30am to 5.30pm, except Sundays