Rose Street Cottage of Curiosities
Small volunteer-run heritage and arts space in a Grade II listed dockyard workers’ cottage in Sheerness, with local curiosities and gallery shows.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Rose Street Cottage and its two neighbours are the only remaining homes of a larger group built in the 18th and 19th centuries for workers at Sheerness Dockyard, often using timber offcuts from the docks. The weatherboarded cottages have Welsh slate roofs and are listed Grade II.
The cottage was once the home of a shipwright family and later served as a furniture shop and as a fish and chip shop. In 1989 it became Sheerness Heritage Centre, and in 2015 it was renamed Rose Street Cottage of Curiosities when it came under the Sheppey Promenade charity.
The building belongs to Swale Borough Council and is leased by the charity, which runs it entirely with volunteers. It is decorated with objects brought in by local people over the years to evoke the island’s stories, and it hosts arts events, workshops and changing monthly gallery exhibitions. In summer, cream teas are served in the cottage garden on sunny Saturdays.
Highlights
- Grade II listed weatherboarded dockyard workers’ cottage
- Objects donated by local people telling Sheppey stories
- Changing monthly gallery exhibitions
- Arts events and workshops
- Cream teas in the cottage garden on sunny summer Saturdays
Permanent exhibition
- Cottage of Curiosities – A dockyard workers’ cottage furnished with objects brought in by local people to tell the quirky stories of the island.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Sheppey Promenade
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £1 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freeChildren are admitted free of charge. |
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- 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 cottage has steep, winding stairs, so the first floor may be inaccessible for visitors with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
The cottage is registered with the Wheels of Time scheme for children and with Kent Children’s University, and children enter free.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Cream teas are served in the cottage garden on sunny Saturdays. Merchandise and local publications are sold in the cottage shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
