The Seaside Museum Herne Bay
Volunteer-run local museum in Herne Bay showing the town's seaside history, Roman Reculver, natural history and the work of the painter Thomas Sidney Cooper.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Collecting for a museum in Herne Bay began in 1932, led by the local doctor and amateur archaeologist Tom Bowes. He founded what is now the Herne Bay Historical Records Society and became its president, and the librarian Harold Gough, honorary curator and later president, carried the work on. The collection was first housed in Mortimer Street, then above the library in the High Street, and it moved to its present premises in William Street in 1996.
After the move, Canterbury City Council funded and ran the museum and owns part of the collection. In 2014 the museum was threatened with closure, and in 2015 the Herne Bay Museum Trust won a tender from the council to take over its management. Since then it has operated as a community hub run by volunteers, and it now trades under the name The Seaside Museum.
The collections cover local and natural history themes, among them the Dambusters prototype bouncing bomb, the 1953 flood, birds and sealife, tusks and fossils, Roman Reculver, seaside pastimes and the painter Thomas Sidney Cooper. A special exhibition gallery has a changing programme of touring exhibitions and local art and photography, and a children's area and family events add to the museum's community role.
Highlights
- Prototype Dambusters bouncing bomb
- Displays on the 1953 flood and seaside pastimes
- Roman Reculver and tusks and fossils
- Paintings by Thomas Sidney Cooper
- Children's area with dressing up, puppets and explorer backpacks
Permanent exhibition
- Museum collections – Local and natural history themes including the Dambusters prototype bouncing bomb, the 1953 flood, birds and sealife, tusks and fossils, Roman Reculver, seaside pastimes and the painter Thomas Sidney Cooper.
- Founded
- 1932
- Operated by
- Herne Bay Museum Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £4 |
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| Reduced | £3Concessions. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult. |
| Annual pass | £12 |
| Annual pass, concession | £9 |
The museum is run entirely by volunteers and donations are welcome.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
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- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Playground / play area
Children under 16 are admitted free with an adult. A children's area lets children dress up, put on puppet shows and read on a beanbag, and museum trails and explorer backpacks are available. A programme of family events with crafts and seashore activities runs through the year; some need booking in advance. The museum takes part in the Wheels of Time scheme.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
The museum has a shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Museum trails and explorer backpacks can be picked up during a visit. |
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