Gillingham Museum

About the museum

Gillingham Museum tells the story of the Dorset town, its neighbouring parishes and their people, from Neolithic settlement to the present. It grew from the Gillingham Local History Society, founded in 1953 under the town's parish council to find a home for a collection of local documents and objects left to the town by the Freame family. The collection was first kept at the town's school and could be seen only by arrangement, and in 1958 the society was given two small cottages in Church Walk.

By the 1980s more modern premises were needed, and the society built an extension to the new library that met modern access and conservation standards. After fundraising and one of the first Heritage Lottery grants, the museum was officially opened in October 1996. It is still governed by the society's management committee and run with volunteers.

The displays begin with a geological section showing the sea creatures and fossils of the area and the local brick industry, then continue in order through Iron Age and Roman finds, the medieval Royal Forest and King's Court hunting lodge, the arrival of the railway in 1856, and local trades and technology. A 1790 fire engine and a popular display of John Constable's Gillingham paintings and sketches, shown as full-size colour copies, are among the favourites.

Highlights

• Geological display with local fossils and brick-making history
• King's Court Palace and the medieval Royal Forest
• Original wheelbarrow and spade from the first turf of the railway in 1856
• 1790 fire engine
• John Constable's Gillingham paintings and sketches as full-size colour copies

Permanent exhibition

• Gillingham through the ages – A chronological tour from local fossils and the brick industry through Iron Age and Roman finds, the Royal Forest, the railway and local trades, with a display of John Constable's Gillingham paintings.

Founded

1958

Operated by

Gillingham Local History Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no entrance fee, but donations are essential to keep the museum running.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The whole exhibition area is on ground level and suitable for wheelchair access. The adjoining public car park has disabled bays.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Chantry Fields, next to the library.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

The museum has no catering of its own. A restaurant and toilets are available in the Waitrose supermarket on the opposite side of the road.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit