Whitstable museum and art gallery
Whitstable Museum and Gallery
Oxford Street
Whitstable
Kent
CT5 1DB
Phone: 01227 276 998
Open daily (except Sundays, Good Friday and at Christmas) 10am to 4pm. Also open on Sundays 1pm to 4pm during July and August. Admission is free. Disabled access available.
Whitstable's unique coastal community and seafaring traditions are the main themes of the town's lively museum; with special features on oysters, diving and shipping.
The fascinating collection - with frequent new additions - give townspeople and their visitors an idea of why Whitstable is here, how it grew and how it is changing over the years.
In 2001 the Museum was awarded the international Nautiek Award for services to diving history. This was the first time the trophy had been awarded in the UK - the last recipient was the Naval Undersea Museum in Washington, USA.
Further galleries show pictures of Whitstable's coast and the notable collection of ship 'portraits' which capture the town's trading links around the globe.
A special display focuses on the rich wildlife of the local shoreline - the plants, fossils, shells and birds to be discovered there.
The displays have proved a valuable resource much used by local schools. Paper, pencils and clipboards are always available for making drawings, a changing selection of which is displayed in the Museum.
The art gallery is a popular venue for the regularly changing special exhibitions - usually 6 per year. It hosts both national touring exhibitions and those put on by local talents.
Public events linked to the exhibitions are arranged regularly, including workshops with practising artists for schools and colleges. See the Exhibitions and Events page complete listing of upcoming events.
