Ashford Museum

Ashford Museum is a small local-history museum in the centre of Ashford, Kent, England, set in a 17th-century building beside the town's parish church. It tells the story of the borough and the people who lived in it, from prehistoric times to the modern era.

What is Ashford Museum and where is it?

The museum stands in the Churchyard, in the middle of Ashford, opposite St Mary the Virgin church. It is a city-centre stop that is easy to combine with a walk through the old town, and the local heritage trail finishes at its door. The collection is run with the help of the Ashford Borough Museum Society.

What is the building?

Much of the museum is housed in the Wilks Memorial Hall, a Grade II listed building that dates from 1635. It was founded as Ashford's free grammar school by Sir Norton Knatchbull, and it served as a school until 1881. The past is still visible inside: visitors can spot original graffiti left by schoolboys and see the headmaster's chair. For anyone who likes old buildings as much as old objects, the hall is a highlight in its own right.

What can you see inside?

The displays follow the long history of the borough. Early sections cover prehistoric finds, including a dinosaur leg bone discovered at a local farm in 2001, together with Neolithic, Bronze Age, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon artefacts that show how people lived in this part of Kent over thousands of years.

Later galleries look at more recent history. There are displays on both World Wars, including the prisoner of war camps that once operated in the borough. You will also find material about businesses that have vanished from the town, medical instruments from former local hospitals, and a large amount of railway memorabilia, a fitting theme for a town long associated with the railways.

Is there anything for researchers?

Yes. The museum keeps a library of books and papers that can be used for research. Access to it needs an appointment arranged in advance, so contact the museum before you travel if you are tracing family or local history.

Practical tips for visiting

• Entry has been reported as free, which makes it an easy, low-cost addition to a day in town.
• The museum has traditionally opened seasonally, from spring to autumn, and for limited hours on selected days. Check the official website, ashfordmuseum.org.uk, for current times before you go.
• Allow around an hour for a relaxed visit, longer if you like reading about local history in detail.

Frequently asked questions

Is Ashford Museum free? Sources describe entry as free, but confirm on the official website.

How old is the building? The main hall dates from 1635 and is Grade II listed.

Is it suitable for families? The mix of a dinosaur bone, school graffiti and railway objects gives children plenty of hands-on curiosity, although this is a compact local museum rather than a large attraction.

Can I do research there? Yes, the library is available by prior appointment.