Things to do in Medway, England: The Best Museums

November 18, 2021 Marianna Hollaway

Discover the best top things to do in Medway, United Kingdom including The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Royal Engineers Museum, Guildhall Museum, Nucleus Arts, Old Brook Pumping Station, Medway Queen, Sun Pier House Gallery, Huguenot Museum, HMS Cavalier, Francis Iles Galleries.
Restaurants in Medway

1. The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Main Gate Rd, Chatham ME4 4TZ England +44 1634 823800 [email protected] http://thedockyard.co.uk/
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,537 reviews

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Step into the heart of Chatham’s legendary ship building heritage and return to the ‘Age of Sail’, when the Dockyard built mighty ships that won command of the world’s oceans. Test your sea legs as you peer through the periscope of a Cold War Submarine, command the bridge of a WWII Destroyer and ring the ship’s bell aboard a Victorian Sloop. Delve into the award-winning Command of the Oceans interactive gallery and imagine the crash of the waves as you explore the UK’s largest collection of RNLI Historic Lifeboats before gaining first-hand experience of life as a Victorian ropemaker. And don’t forget to check out the exciting programme of events and seasonal activities throughout the year.

Reviewed By Transitguru

Thank you trip advisor! Your reviews made us go, where the dockyard website might not have - it is confusing regarding pricing. Basically - when you buy a ticket it will be valid for a year (no option for ‘one-off’ ticket). If there is an event on you still pay extra, though discounted. We went for the first time ever, coincidentally on an event day. The website was so unhelpful that I elected to buy tickets on the day - this cost our group of 3adults and 2 seniors around £15 extra. However - the price for the event also included all the regular stuff too, and we felt was good value (£15-20pp) for even the one visit, but most certainly for my parents who are local and will return to utilise the annual pass. With the event on, we did not have time to see all the regular exhibits and we were there for the full hours 10-6. Even without an event on, there would be plenty to see at the dockyard. TA comments remark on the friendliness of the staff there - they are not wrong - it was exemplary. The dockyard is quite large, and it is a distance from entry to the ropery (you MUST visit the ropery). My dad is not registered disabled, but struggles to walk far - staff near the mess deck happily got us a wheelchair to borrow. Good (free) parking was well organised on site; exceptional staff (Deb & Brenda in ropery - brilliant); fantastic exhibits (do see the lifeboats, HMS Ocelot, Cavalier etc). I really cannot encourage you enough to visit. Absolutely 5 star, thank you

2. Royal Engineers Museum

Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham ME7 1UR England +44 1634 822839 [email protected] http://www.re-museum.co.uk/
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 274 reviews

Royal Engineers Museum

The Museum tells the story of the Corps of Royal Engineers and how they have helped the British Army live, move and fight for over 300 years. Highlights include 25 Victoria Crosses, Wellington's map of Waterloo, Chard's weapons from the Zulu War, an amazing collection of bridge laying tanks the world’s first useable guided torpedo, a huge piece of the Berlin Wall, a Harrier Jump Jet and a deadly V2 Rocket. The Royal Engineers’ story is one of courage, innovation, skill and endurance which is told through the many galleries, enabling you to follow the evolution of the Sapper from military architects and specialists in siegecraft, to the Army's innovators on everything from diving to surveying, flying to photography and transport to combat engineering. With interactive exhibits, indoor and outdoor play areas, a cafe and gift shop, there is plenty for all the family – tickets valid for a whole year! Please check our website for more details on visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reviewed By S2629LIdavidt - Gillingham, United Kingdom

I was taken to the Museum by my Son as a birthday gift. We spent over 2 hours perusing the very interesting exhibits and information, only reaching Word War I. With closing imminent, we had to rush around the rest. It is therefore ideal that the ticket lasts for 12 months, giving us plenty of time to return and complete our tour. Very well laid out and presented in both an interesting and informative manner. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in our long and varied military history.

3. Guildhall Museum

17 High Street, Rochester ME1 1PY England +44 1634 332900 http://www.medway.gov.uk/guildhallmuseum
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 463 reviews

Guildhall Museum

Reviewed By danielgraham1989 - Chandler’s Ford, United Kingdom

An interesting museum full of interesting artefacts and references to the local history. Well set out with plenty of information and an enjoyable place to visit.

4. Nucleus Arts

272 High Street, Chatham ME4 4BP England +44 1623 812108 [email protected] http://www.nucleus-arts.com
Excellent
78%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Nucleus Arts

5. Old Brook Pumping Station

Rear of 211 Solomons Road, Chatham ME4 4AJ England +44 1634 842059 http://www.oldbrookpumping.co.uk/
Excellent
75%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
12%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8 reviews

Old Brook Pumping Station

6. Medway Queen

Gillingham Pier Pier Approach Road, Gillingham ME7 1RX England +44 1634 575717 [email protected] http://www.medwayqueen.co.uk/
Excellent
62%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Medway Queen

The Medway Queen Preservation Society is an organisation which is currently being fitted out the paddle steamer 'Medway Queen'. The ship was a minesweeper, and was involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk during the WWII. You can visit the vessel, the visitor centre an the souvenir shop on Saturday (11am-4pm, last admission 3pm or by appointment the other days.

Reviewed By CathyG53 - London, United Kingdom

A lovely steam vessel with a great history - including a hugely important role at Dunkirk. The volunteers are very enthusiastic and well informed - and putting enormous efforts into restoring the ship as well as involving their visitors in such a special local attraction and its past. Good parking, loos and tour. Very enjoyable.

Sun Pier House Sun Pier Sun Pier Medway Street, Chatham ME4 4HF England +44 1634 401549 http://www.sunpierhouse.co.uk/the-sun-pier-house-gallery/
Excellent
53%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17 reviews

Sun Pier House Gallery

8. Huguenot Museum

95 High Street Above Visitor Information Centre, Rochester ME1 1LX England +44 1634 789347 [email protected] http://www.huguenotmuseum.org
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

Huguenot Museum

Reviewed By rachelpB969VM

Very informative museum. Really gives me an idea of what my refugee ancestors, from France, went through to get here. It gives a very good overview of the trades that Huguenots worked in and of the French hospital charity. Also talks about recent refugees from other countries and adds very moving comments from present day refugees.

9. HMS Cavalier

Main Gate Rd The Historic Dockyard, Chatham ME4 4TZ England +44 1634 823800 http://thedockyard.co.uk/explore/three-historic-warships/hms-cavalier/
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 130 reviews

HMS Cavalier

Reviewed By walmleyman

A great day out fantastic exhibitions and real ships , wonderful staff so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about naval life. Love it a super day or more like two days out make us of the annual pass for the cost of day entry

10. Francis Iles Galleries

103 High Street, Rochester ME1 1LX England +44 1634 843081 http://www.francis-iles.com/index.html
Excellent
31%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 26 reviews

Francis Iles Galleries

Reviewed By futtock21 - London, United Kingdom

It’s an art supply shop and framing service downstairs and several separate rooms exhibiting art on the two floors above. There’s even art on the staircases. Its strengths lie both in championing the work of Kentish artists and contemporary Russian work. Individual rooms exhibit work by three or more artists at a time. In the upper rooms I found browsers containing prints and etchings by Kentish and Russian artists alike at very appealing prices. Entrance to the shop and gallery alike is carefully controlled; indeed the staircase to the upper galleries is roped off to ensure no more than a couple of visitors are present at any given time.

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