Maidstone Carriage Museum

About the museum

The Carriage Museum was founded by Sir Garrard Tyrwhitt-Drake, a former Mayor of Maidstone and passionate collector. When horse-drawn vehicles were disappearing from daily life, he saw that an important part of social history was being lost. He searched for carriages across the country, placed advertisements and rescued vehicles that might otherwise have been destroyed or reused. His work led to the opening of the museum in 1946, the first museum of its kind in Britain.

The collection is housed in the 14th-century stables of the Archbishop's Palace, part of a medieval complex used by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The building has served several purposes over the centuries, including industrial and wartime uses, and became the permanent home of the carriages in the middle of the 20th century.

More than 60 largely unrestored vehicles are on show, from the late 17th to the 20th century. They include state and ceremonial coaches linked to royal use, Victorian taxis known as growlers, sedan chairs, sleighs and everyday transport, along with harnesses, tools and archive material. The museum is run by Maidstone Museum, is located separately from it on Mill Street, and depends on volunteers to keep it open.

Highlights

• More than 60 largely unrestored horse-drawn vehicles from the late 17th to the 20th century
• State and ceremonial carriages linked to royal use, including Queen Victoria's state landau
• Victorian taxis known as growlers and sedan chairs
• 14th-century stables of the Archbishop's Palace
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Collection of horse-drawn vehicles – More than 60 largely unrestored carriages, sedan chairs and sleighs from the late 17th to the 20th century, from grand state coaches to Victorian taxis.

Founded

1946

Operated by

Maidstone Borough Council (Maidstone Museum)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the Carriage Museum is free.

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 accessibility page of the museum website describes the main Maidstone Museum only; no access information is published for the Carriage Museum building.

Kids & families

The Carriage Museum takes part in the Wheels of Time scheme (children aged 5 to 11 collect badges at participating Kent museums).

Getting there & parking

The Carriage Museum is not on the same site as Maidstone Museum (St Faith's Street, ME14 1LH).

Amenities & dining

Not stated. No visitor wifi is mentioned.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit