Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum

About the museum

The museum looks after the history of the Kent Yeomanry and the Sharpshooters regiments. It was founded in 1966 to protect the regiment's pictures and silver when the unit was reduced from a regiment to a squadron. The collection was first kept at Squerryes Court and moved in 1985 to a room at the top of the keep at Hever Castle.

As the collection grew, the trustees wanted better access. Hever Castle agreed to pay for a new building if the trust could raise the money for the interior, and the target of £275,000 was reached within six months. The new museum was opened by Princess Alexandra on 6 September 2015. It holds full accreditation and is a member of the Association of Independent Museums and the Kent Museums Group.

The displays follow the regiments from 1794, when the Kent Yeomanry was formed by part-time volunteers to guard against a possible French invasion, through the nineteenth century, the Boer War, when the Sharpshooters were founded, the two world wars and modern times. Medals, uniforms and weapons are shown alongside walk-in reconstructions of a First World War Gallipoli trench and the inside of a Second World War Cromwell tank turret. A Saladin armoured car and a 25-pounder field gun stand outside. Touch screens tell the life stories of people who served, and a registry lists the names of more than 14,000 people who served with the regiments.

Highlights

• Walk-in reconstruction of a First World War trench at Gallipoli
• Interior of a Second World War Cromwell tank turret
• Saladin armoured car and 25-pounder field gun outside
• Touch screens with life stories of soldiers
• Registry with the names of over 14,000 people who served

Permanent exhibitions

• Regimental history from 1794 – Displays of medals, uniforms and weapons trace the Kent Yeomanry and Sharpshooters from 1794 through the Boer War, both world wars and modern times.
• Gallipoli trench and Cromwell tank turret – Walk-in reconstructions of a First World War trench at Gallipoli and the interior of a Second World War Cromwell tank turret.

Founded

1966

Operated by

Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Trust

Admission & discounts

Entry to the museum is included in the ticket for the grounds of Hever Castle. The prices shown are the online prices for the Gardens only ticket from the Hever Castle price page; a Castle and Gardens ticket costs more, and tickets bought at the gate cost more than online tickets. Outside peak season (bank holiday weekends and school holidays) the museum can be visited free of charge if the rest of the grounds and the castle are not visited. Current and former members of the armed forces with proof of service, and their families, get 20% off entry.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• 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 museum website gives no access information; see the accessibility page of Hever Castle.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

A cartoon desert fox called Noball acts as a guide for younger visitors. Visitors can walk into the trench and the tank turret, and four touch screens show life stories and school projects.

Getting there & parking

The castle is about 30 miles from central London, off the B2026 between Sevenoaks and East Grinstead, and 3 miles south-east of Edenbridge. Use junction 10 of the M23; it is signposted from junctions 5 and 6 of the M25. Coach drivers should check the route because of low bridges. Local taxi firms for Edenbridge: Country Hire and Go Taxis and Relyon Taxis.

Amenities & dining

Restaurants, kiosks, picnic areas and a shop are in the grounds of Hever Castle. No visitor wifi is mentioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit