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Kent’s free indoor attractions to enjoy on rainy days this autumn and winter

05:00, 24 October 2022

updated: 14:37, 24 October 2022

As Brits we know that, as winter slowly approaches, wet weather is just around the corner and we’ll soon be faced with plenty of rainy days.

However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about to explore everything the county has to offer.

We’ve rounded up some of Kent’s top free indoor attractions that the whole family can enjoy this season - whatever the weather!

The Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, just outside Folkestone, is a tribute to wartime history
The Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, just outside Folkestone, is a tribute to wartime history

Battle of Britain Memorial, Folkestone

Britain is a country steeped in history, plenty of which lives right here in Kent. For those who are eager to learn more about the heritage of their home, a trip to the momentous Battle of Britain memorial could be in order. Even the unveiling of this memorial was a significant moment in history, as a prominent member of the royal family - Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother - officially opened the site, near Folkestone, in 1993. There are a number of things to see and do here, including the Beaverbrook Wall, inscribed with Churchill’s famous 1940 speech; the central Battle of Britain statue; a visitor centre with educational and interactive experiences; and a memorial wall, which contains names of the Battle of Britain Royal Air Force aircrew.

Where: New Dover Road, Capel-le-Ferne, Folkestone CT18 7JJ.

When: Daily from 10am to 4pm from Saturday, October 1. Find out more here.

There are lots of things for the kids to do on rainy days. Picture: The Beaney
There are lots of things for the kids to do on rainy days. Picture: The Beaney

Beaney House of Art and Knowledge, Canterbury

Affectionately known by locals as simply The Beaney, this fascinating museum, art gallery, library and visitor centre can’t be missed. Sitting proudly in the middle of Canterbury High Street, the Grade II listed building is filled with exhibitions, artefacts and resources, from practical workshops to childrens’ trails. The real selling point of this unique attraction is that it provides a range of educational and entertaining services all under one roof and, for the most part, they’re all free. So, whether you and your family are art lovers, history buffs, bookworms, or are simply keen to discover more about this bustling city, you can find it all at The Beaney.

Where: 18 High Street, Canterbury CT1 2RA

When: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays, 11am to 4pm. Find out more here.

The Bronze Age boat, displayed in Dover Museum, dates back 3,500 years. Picture: Dover District Council
The Bronze Age boat, displayed in Dover Museum, dates back 3,500 years. Picture: Dover District Council

Dover Museum

Dover is best known for its historic castle, wartime past and, of course, its striking White Cliffs, all of which can be explored further at the Dover Museum. The museum focuses on local history and archaeology, but also draws in visitors with its flagship exhibition, the Bronze Age boat. Discovered in 1992 by archaeologists in Dover, the well-preserved remains of this wooden boat are thought to be approximately 3,500 years old and experts estimate it would have been in use around 1,500 BC. It took almost a month to fully excavate the boat and it has been maintained in the museum ever since, along with stories and facts about its interesting past.

Where: Market Square, Dover CT16 1PH

When: Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm. Closed on Sundays. Find out more here.

Soak up the lively atmosphere in the historic Gravesend Borough Market. Picture: Jason Arthur
Soak up the lively atmosphere in the historic Gravesend Borough Market. Picture: Jason Arthur

Gravesend Borough Market

If you’re saving your pennies but still want to feel like part of the hustle and bustle, particularly at weekends, the Gravesend Borough Market is a great place to start. While away the hours at one of the oldest markets in Kent, chartered all the way back in 1268, and soak up the vibrant atmosphere inside this truly historic building. It’s up to you whether you decide to spend money at any of the traders here, who regularly set up shop selling antiques, gifts, fashion, accessories and street food, but entry to the market is completely free and there is often lots to see and do, even if you just stick to window shopping.

Where: High Street, Gravesend DA11 0AZ

When: Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and Sundays, 10am to 4pm. Open until late on Fridays and Saturdays. Find out more here.

The Kent Mining Museum has been drawing in crowds since its opening in April. Picture: Tom Webb
The Kent Mining Museum has been drawing in crowds since its opening in April. Picture: Tom Webb

Kent Mining Museum, Deal

Since opening earlier this year, the Kent Mining Museum has turned into a must-see part of Betteshanger Country Park in Deal. The museum takes visitors on a journey through the history of the Kent Coalfield, which spanned East Kent and was an integral part of the coal industry from its discovery in 1890 through to 1989, when Betteshanger Colliery, upon which the museum is built, closed down. The exhibitions inside the museum show visitors what it was like to live like a Kent miner using mine car displays, interactive activities, authentic artefacts and first-person accounts from people who lived and worked in the industry. And, if the rain clears up, the beautiful 250-acre country park is well worth a walk around.

Where: Betteshanger Park, Sandwich Road, Deal CT14 0BF

When: Wednesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4pm. Find out more here.

Maidstone Museum has one of the largest collections of any museum in the area, outside of London. Picture: Matthew Walker
Maidstone Museum has one of the largest collections of any museum in the area, outside of London. Picture: Matthew Walker

Maidstone Museum

Step inside Chillington Manor, Maidstone’s grand Elizabethan mansion, and explore one of the county’s most elaborate and largest collections. Since the Maidstone Museum was established more than 160 years ago, it has accumulated more than 600,000 artefacts and items for visitors to admire and learn from. You can find the only adult human mummy in Kent in the Ancient Egypt collection; couturier and designer garments, including pieces of Givenchy, Dior and Balenciaga in the Costumes and Textiles collection; and 250,000 specimens of insects from around the world in the Natural History and Biology collection. It’s undoubtedly one of the most impressive museums in Kent, and you can explore everything it has to offer for free.

Where: St Faith's Street, Maidstone ME14 1LH

When: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Opening times vary during school holidays. Find out more here.

Rochester Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in the country
Rochester Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in the country

Rochester Cathedral

As the second oldest cathedral in England, Rochester Cathedral dates back further than anything else on this list. Founded in 604, the 1,400 year history of this cathedral is rich and vast. Visitors can view Textus Roffensis, a medieval manuscript compiled in the 1120s and now on display in the crypt, step into the Chapter Library through a 14th century doorway, and read the words of more than 7,000 worshipers from the 12th to 21st centuries in the graffiti survey inscriptions. It’s still an active place of worship, so make sure you are aware of the service schedule before you head down there.

Where: Garth House, The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX

When: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and Sundays, 1pm to 3pm. Find out more here.

Artist Tracey Emin hosted her My Bed exhibition at Turner Contemporary. Picture: Stephen White
Artist Tracey Emin hosted her My Bed exhibition at Turner Contemporary. Picture: Stephen White

Turner Contemporary, Margate

A trip to the coast might not be the first thing on your mind when it’s raining, but you might just change your mind when you know a visit to the Turner Contemporary is on the cards. This sophisticated seaside gallery is buzzing with creativity and artistic energy, and it’s a must for culture vultures. Since opening in 2011 in Margate, the gallery has hosted groundbreaking exhibitions from local artists, as well as big names such as Tracey Emin, Steve McQueen and Ingrid Pollard. The show-stopping pieces on display here have attracted a number of famous visitors in the past, including Kate Middleton, so you never know who you might bump into as you browse the gallery.

Where: Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG. Find out more here.

When: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

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