The Royal Engineers Museum, Library & Archive - Gillingham, Kent

More great places to visit in Kent - Get all the Yourcounty updates free to you mailbox by signing up for the Kent Review

The Royal Engineers Museum, Library & Archive - Gillingham, Kent

This museum is one of those places that you just won't believe when you get around to making a visit, the historical value of the collection is immense and will be enjoyed by a wide audience. If you've got young children try to visit when they run their monthly workshops (more details below). Don't imagine this is a parochial regimental exhibition, it has an international flavour with many really important artifacts.

This museum tells the story of the Corps of Royal Engineers, the Sappers. It is a tale of courage, of creativity and innovation. 26 galleries contain displays charting the history of military engineering, from the creation of the Ordnance Survey to the beginnings of flying, from designing the Royal Albert Hall to the dangerous on-going task of bomb disposal. In peace and in war the corps has been everywhere and involved in everything.

Exquisite Chinese embroideries given to General Gordon, drawings, paintings and fine uniforms are displayed along side Zulu shields from Rorke's Drift, tanks, torpedoes, bridges and early chemical weapons. The medal collection is of national, if not international, importance with 25 Victoria Crosses, 3 George Crosses, the regalia of Field Marshal Lord Kitchener and unique gallantry awards from the Falklands War.

A quick tour of the galleries requires 1 1/2 hours, a detailed tour up to 4 hours. For anyone with more than a passing interest in history there is too much much to take in on a single visit.

A lecture room with 30 seats and a separate 30 seat school schools room with a handling collection can be booked in advance for groups.

There is parking for cars and coaches on site as well as toilet and refreshment facilities. Good wheelchair access with a wheelchair lift to the upper level. The well stocked gift shop does accept postal and telephone orders. There is a picnic area in the grounds. The museum runs monthly workshops which are great fun (call the Education Officer on 01634 822312) and the venue is available for corporate hire (contact the Commercial Officer on 01634 406397).

Opening Hours

Open - Tuesday to Friday - 9.00am to 5.00pm
Open - Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Mondays - 11.30am to 5.00pm
Closed - Monday, Christmas week and New Years Day

Facilities:

Large car/ coach park
Toilet facilities (Ladies, Gents, Disabled)
Baby changing
Wheelchair
Wheelchair ramps for access
Outdoor picnic area
Museum Shop selling souvenirs, gifts, postcards and books
Refreshment area with vending machines selling crisps, sweets, hot and cold drinks

Prices

Adult - £7.13
Concessions - £4.75
Family Ticket (2 Adult & 2 Children or 1 Adult & 3 Children) - £19
Children under 5 years - Free

You can find the Royal Engineers Museum of Military Engineering at:

Prince Arthur Road
Gillingham
Kent ME4 4UG
01634 822839
www.remuseum.org.uk

Please refer to our disclaimer, Yourcounty does not have any responsibility for the content of external websites.