Whitstable Museum and Gallery

Whitstable Museum and Gallery stands in the heart of Whitstable, a seaside town in Kent. Housed in a building once called Foresters’ Hall, it holds local history under one roof. The museum shows Invicta, one of the world’s oldest steam engines, alongside diving suits and oyster trade relics. Peter Cushing’s connection to the area is also featured. Artefacts from the wreck of the East Indiaman Hindostan are kept here. The museum is recognised for its work in diving history. It won the Nautiek Award in 2001, the first time the prize went to a UK site. A £15,000 grant from Arts Council England helped refurbish the building in 2015. Exhibitions change six times a year, mixing local stories with touring shows. Visitors can handle historic diving gear or learn about the last Whitstable oyster yawl, Favourite. Inside, the large hall displays social history, science and maritime objects. Paintings show coastal views and trading links. The museum takes part in the Whitstable Oyster Festival each year. Nearby, a small educational space opened in 2009 for school groups. The collections span land transport, fine art and archaeology.