Kent Museum of the Moving Image
Museum in Deal on the history of the moving image, from magic lanterns and shadow play to cinema, with a garden café.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Kent Museum of the Moving Image, known as Kent MOMI, opened in Deal in April 2018. It was created by the film historian David Francis, who had earlier been closely involved with the Museum of the Moving Image on London's South Bank, together with his wife Jocelyn Marsh. It is a not-for-profit museum.
The museum occupies a converted house at the top of Stanhope Road, a short walk from Deal station and the seafront. Its collection, which comes largely from the founder's own lifetime of collecting, follows the history of the moving image from magic lantern shows, hand-painted slides and Victorian optical toys to the rise of cinema. A reference library supports research.
The displays are arranged in galleries on the ground and first floors. They include material on shadows and early projection, on the design of films, and on how cinema showed the First World War. A licensed garden café and a shop complete the visit, and curator-led tours can be arranged in advance.
Highlights
- Magic lantern slides and Victorian optical toys
- Moy & Bastie camera used to film the Western Front
- Film uniforms and an aviation stuntman's golden helmets
- Reconstructed model of the Aqaba set from Lawrence of Arabia
- Reference library on the moving image
- Founded
- 2018
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £7.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £6Senior citizens (65+), students and people receiving state benefits |
| Children & teens | £4Ticket for under-16s. |
| Seniors | £6Aged 65 and over. |
| Students & apprentices | £6 |
Tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- 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 museum is accessible to wheelchair users, with ramps to the entrance and garden, a lift and a toilet. Limited parking for visitors with disabilities is available if arranged with the museum in advance.
Kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The museum has hands-on material and activities for children, such as shadow puppetry and optical toys.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Deal station · 2-min walk
Deal railway station is about a two-minute walk away, with Southeastern services from London Charing Cross and London St Pancras (HS1). Stagecoach 80/81 (Dover to Sandwich) stops at Deal Queen Street; Stagecoach 12 and Regent Coaches 93 stop at Deal South Street, about a five-minute walk.
By car
Paid parking
Stanhope Road car park (pay and display, about 50 metres away, maximum stay 4 hours); West Street and Middle Street car parks about 200 metres away; Victoria Park car park is free and about 400 metres away.
- Accessible parking
The museum is at the corner of West Street and Stanhope Road. There is no waiting for vehicles on the street outside; coach parking is arranged through Dover District Council Parking Services.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
A licensed garden café serves Kentish wines and beers, tea, coffee, soft drinks and light refreshments in the conservatory or walled garden during opening hours. The shop sells cards, gifts, books and DVDs; contactless and mobile payments are accepted.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
The ground-floor Margaret Amaral Gallery and the walled garden can be hired for events; tours can include refreshments such as high tea.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Audio tours are played on visitors' own phones by scanning QR codes. Tours with curators can be arranged in advance, though curators are not always available. Groups of 6 to 35 should book ahead, and larger groups may be able to visit outside normal hours. |
