Canterbury Museums & Culture

Canterbury Roman Museum

Roman Canterbury - Durovernum Cantiacorum was one of Roman Britain's largest towns. The Romans arrived in Britain in AD43, and much archaeological work around Kent has revealed numerous Roman settlements and Roman remains and artefacts in the region. The Roman Museum in Canterbury, alongside further Roman exhibits in the Canterbury Museum, are where to head to find out more on Roman history and life in Canterbury.

Durovernum Cantiacorum thrived as a Roman town for over 400 years, and within Canterbury's Roman Museum technology, based on archaeological evidence, shows what Canterbury would have looked like during its thriving Roman period. Heavy wartime German bombing of historic Canterbury unearthed Roman archaeological sites in the city which otherwise may not have been discovered!

The Roman town of Canterbury is underneath the city of today, and the Roman museum which includes part of a Roman archaeological site and Roman mosaic floors, sits underground (entrance is via Butchery Lane). Exhibits reveal a number of Roman artefacts found on the scene alongside re-enactments of Roman day to day life. Canterbury Roman Museum makes for a fascinating insight into daily life in Roman Britain and the Mosaic Roman floor is particularly impressive. Educational and interactive, Canterbury's Roman Museum is an excellent attraction for families with children, whilst at the same time an important Roman archaeological site.

The Roman Museum, 11a Butchery Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2JR. Tel. 01227 452747. (see Canterbury Museums webguide right for details on the Roman Museum and opening times. Include entrance to this museum as part of your Canterbury Discount Passport ticket).

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Canterbury Royal Museum & Art Gallery

Renowned for its art collection particularly, the Canterbury Royal Museum also has exhibits on Roman Canterbury and is home to the Buffs Regiment Museum on the first floor of the Beaney Institute. This ancient regiment dates back to Elizabeth I's day, and saw action in the World Wars. Photography, Victoria Crosses and other military medals and regalia are on show covering the full four centuries of this Regiment's service.

The mammoth Victorian building housing the Royal is of interest in itself. Fans of local artist Thomas Sidney Cooper (1803-1902) will see him well represented here. Cooper was celebrated, albeit later in his life (he struggled with poverty and patrons for most of it), for his paintings of cows and sheep. Lesser know perhaps of the Victorian artists, Cooper's various representations of cattle around Britain hold a particular fascination.

The Royal Museum and Art Gallery, 18 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RA. Tel. 01227 475214.

Buffs Regimental Museum, Part of the Royal Museum & Art Gallery, Canterbury (First Floor), 18 High Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RA. Tel. 01227 475214.

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Canterbury Museum

With a firm historic and archaeological focus on Canterbury, exhibits in the splendid Canterbury Museum on Stour Street are held within this old 14th century medieval poor priests hospital. Most notables from the Canterbury area are given due attention here, including dramatist Christopher Marlowe where you can delve into the Elizabethan treasure chest and solve the mystery of his death! Another exhibt explores the life of local Joseph Conrad and look out for photograph's of the late Ian Dury who was once a lecturer at Canterbury College of Art. Recently revamped, exhibits here are incredibly broad covering the full spectrum of Canterbury history from the pre-Roman period to more recent Canterbury historic moments such as the heavy Second World War bombing of the city. A top family museum, now with the Rupert Bear Museum also on-site.

Original drawings of Rupert Bear are on-show in the splendid Rupert Bear Museum, situated within the Canterbury Museum on Stour Street. Kids will have endless fun in here, there's lots of interactive stuff going on including drawing your own Rupert. Within the exhibit you can watch Paul McCartney's Frog song video featuring Rupert Bear and Rupert timeline. Parents and kids alike can muse over their own particular Rupert. The latest Rupert, primarily aimed at pre-school children, hit the TV screens on the UK's Channel 5 in 2006. The classic Rupert is being maintained alongside TV Rupert Bear who has a host of new friends too - more girls this time including a mermaid. These new animators recently gave Postman Pat a revamp too.

Museum of Canterbury, Stour Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2NR. Tel. 01227 452747.

The Rupert Bear Museum- part of the Museum of Canterbury, Stour Street, Canterbury, Kent. Tel. 00 44 (0)1227 475202.

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Canterbury West Gate Towers Museum

West Gate Towers, marking the entrance to Canterbury since the medieval period when pilgrims flocked through it on the way to Thomas a Becket's tomb, is an important landmark in Canterbury alongside the Cathedral.

Remarkably preserved considering its age - six centuries old, inside the West Gate Towers Museum you climb a narrow winding staircaise to reach the displays of various armaments. Look for the Murder holes and explore the turrets from which there are superb panoramic views of Canterbury.

Canterbury West Gate Towers Museum, St Peter's Street, Canterbury Kent UK. Tel.01227 789 576.

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