Margate Museum
Local history museum in a Victorian police station and magistrates' court in Margate Old Town; currently closed to visitors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Margate Museum is housed in a Grade II listed building in Margate Old Town that was built as a Victorian police station and magistrates' court. It stands next to the Old Town Hall, which dates from 1897 and is linked to the older building by an overhead bridge. The Old Town Hall itself also served as a magistrates' court and police station.
On two floors the museum covers about 5,500 years of Margate's history. Its displays deal with subjects such as the Borough Police, bathing machines, paddle steamers and the wooden and iron jetties. The collections include the Rowe Collection, the Sunbeam Photographic Collection and the Cobb Cabinet.
The museum has been run by volunteers, who also helped visitors with research. It is owned by Thanet District Council, which has been carrying out a strategic review of its museums, together with structural surveys and repair work, to decide how they can be run in the long term. The museum is currently not open to visitors.
Highlights
- About 5,500 years of Margate history on two floors
- Displays on the Borough Police, bathing machines and paddle steamers
- Rowe Collection, Sunbeam Photographic Collection and Cobb Cabinet
- Victorian police station and magistrates' court building
- Operated by
- Thanet District Council
Admission & discounts
The museum is currently not open to visitors; no reopening date has been announced.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: not available
- 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 building is listed, so no wheelchair access or lift can be added. There are 20 stairs to the upper floor, and the ground floor has some steps and narrow passages. The nearest accessible toilets are at College Square (CT9 1PR), about 150 metres away.
Kids & families
The museum is currently not open to visitors; no reopening date has been announced.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
Parking is available at the Market Street car park (CT9 1EU), under 100 metres away, and at College Square.
The museum is in Market Place in Margate Old Town.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum is currently not open to visitors; no reopening date has been announced.
Events & venue rental
The museum is currently not open to visitors; no reopening date has been announced.
