Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, Art and natural history museum in Maidstone, England.
Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery occupies an Elizabethan manor house with Victorian extensions containing both art and natural history collections. These items fill multiple galleries showing different subjects and periods side by side.
The institution was established in 1858 when Thomas Charles donated his art and archaeological collections to the town. This initial gift formed the foundation, which the museum has built upon ever since.
The Bentlif Art Gallery displays paintings spanning centuries and reflecting how artistic expression changed over time across different cultures. Visitors can observe works that show the evolution of taste and technique from one period to another.
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, with additional Monday openings during school holidays. Check current hours before your visit as schedules can vary.
The collection holds Japanese netsuke carvings and Edo period woodblock prints that offer insight into Eastern art forms. The museum also houses the only Egyptian adult mummified remains in the county of Kent.
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