The Kent Museum of Freemasonry
The Kent Museum of Freemasonry
The Kent Museum of Freemasonry
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Free of Charge - Open to All and staffed by our team of volunteers. Located in the heart of Canterbury's tourist route, close to the Westgate Towers and a five minute stroll from the Cathedral. After a long period of closure - we're back !! If you are planning to visit us, then please let us know in advance if you can via the [Contact Us] link in our web site at: https://kentmuseumoffreemasonry.org.uk/contact-us/ This will help us ensure we have enough volunteers on site to ensure you enjoy your visit. Entrance is free of charge, although voluntary donations are welcomed. The Kent Museum of Freemasonry boasts a rare collection of exhibits of national and international importance. Its collection of Masonic material is one of the finest in the UK outside London, including an ancient Egyptian Maul, The Museum is an Accredited Museum, meeting the standards of the Arts Council on collection care, museum management and the provision of information and services to visitors.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
166 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
44
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Chris-RHC
Dartford, UK16 contributions
Jan 2020
I had not visited here for a few years but was pleasantly surprised by the progress being made in refurbishing the exhibits and information contained therein. Being a Kent Freemason myself since 1996 (in both East and West Kent) it's always so nice to visit here and look around the vast assortment of, and some rare, pieces on display.
This is a most interesting place where you can get away from the busy atmosphere of the City. Inside, you can quietly contemplate on an extremely interesting history of over 300 years about one of society's most prolific Fraternities. Being one of this country's largest donating organisations to Charities nationwide, now in recent years only superseded by the National Lottery, the history of Freemasonry is a fascinating topic of research to Masons and non-Masons alike.
I can't recommend an hour or two here highly enough, so if you're visiting Canterbury, make time to come in and look around.
W. Bro. C. R. H. P.P.S.G.D.
Erclei Lodge No. 7436
This is a most interesting place where you can get away from the busy atmosphere of the City. Inside, you can quietly contemplate on an extremely interesting history of over 300 years about one of society's most prolific Fraternities. Being one of this country's largest donating organisations to Charities nationwide, now in recent years only superseded by the National Lottery, the history of Freemasonry is a fascinating topic of research to Masons and non-Masons alike.
I can't recommend an hour or two here highly enough, so if you're visiting Canterbury, make time to come in and look around.
W. Bro. C. R. H. P.P.S.G.D.
Erclei Lodge No. 7436
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Chris. Glad that you like the changes that we have made.
Written May 14, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sheepygold
Ealing, UK5,521 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
This museum looked something a bit different so we decided to give it a go. As we were staying locally we didn't ring ahead to check it was open. We had a good chat with the volunteers at the entrance and then spent the best part of an hour looking around which was interesting. The items on display are very varied and there is a good description of most of them. It was a most enjoyable visit.
Written June 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Sheepygold,
Many thanks for your review.
It's so heartening to see that the changes we have been making to improve the presentation of our exhibits within the museum are paying off: in particular we have been improvind the decriptions associated with the exhibits.
Our volunteers will also be pleased to know that you enjoyed you chat with them.
Written August 7, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Frannie B
Suffolk, UK154 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
I'd planned this visit as a surprise on my husband's birthday. As the years pass it's getting more and more difficult to find 'different' things to do on special occasions.
I don't even remember where I read about this museum but I decided it was ideal for my purpose of a 'surprise day out'. Having roped in the help of our friend and equally active Freemason, all we had to do was keep the secret for a few months!
Anyway, we managed a 2 hour drive, coffee up the road and a short walk to the Museum and were about 5 feet from the entrance, when the penny dropped.
Success!
But more successful, was the visit itself.
We were made so very welcome by all the volunteers who look after the exhibits and they were kind enough to escort us round filling in much more information than was to be found on the cards in the exhibit cases.
They were knowledgeable about the history and background to whole periods of time that related to non Masons equally as much as to those involved.
Some of the artifacts are so very beautifully made that it's hard to believe how old they are.
We've been 'on the outside' for many years as our husbands became involved in the various charity work and other things they do at 'Lodge'. So it was fascinating to hear more and learn more as well as be able to hear the truth about so many myths and stories that over the years have just developed more or less unchecked in the media.
The building itself is a story.
The commitment of these wonderful (and very smartly dressed) volunteers who look after the exhibits and the visitors is amazing. Their knowledge is a huge part of the success of the whole place.
Entry is free
Honestly, I was surprised how interesting I found the visit. (I really had expected to sit somewhere in a corner and read the news on my phone while the others toured!)
I don't even remember where I read about this museum but I decided it was ideal for my purpose of a 'surprise day out'. Having roped in the help of our friend and equally active Freemason, all we had to do was keep the secret for a few months!
Anyway, we managed a 2 hour drive, coffee up the road and a short walk to the Museum and were about 5 feet from the entrance, when the penny dropped.
Success!
But more successful, was the visit itself.
We were made so very welcome by all the volunteers who look after the exhibits and they were kind enough to escort us round filling in much more information than was to be found on the cards in the exhibit cases.
They were knowledgeable about the history and background to whole periods of time that related to non Masons equally as much as to those involved.
Some of the artifacts are so very beautifully made that it's hard to believe how old they are.
We've been 'on the outside' for many years as our husbands became involved in the various charity work and other things they do at 'Lodge'. So it was fascinating to hear more and learn more as well as be able to hear the truth about so many myths and stories that over the years have just developed more or less unchecked in the media.
The building itself is a story.
The commitment of these wonderful (and very smartly dressed) volunteers who look after the exhibits and the visitors is amazing. Their knowledge is a huge part of the success of the whole place.
Entry is free
Honestly, I was surprised how interesting I found the visit. (I really had expected to sit somewhere in a corner and read the news on my phone while the others toured!)
Written January 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Frannie, thank you for such kind comments - we have already passed them on to Keith and the rest of the team.
We're glad that all had such a good visit.
Robin
Written January 26, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sibar500
Canterbury, UK16 contributions
Dec 2022
Went in, as was surprised to see the museum was open. Would have liked to read the information boards and look around the museum, but three volunteer guides approached to talk, so I eventually left without seeing more than one information board. One volunteer was fairly interesting. Another one definitely needs some training on how to deal politely with visitors. Not sure that I will return.
I expect that the museum is very interesting, I am only commenting on my visit.
I expect that the museum is very interesting, I am only commenting on my visit.
Written December 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Farwriter
London, UK173 contributions
Jan 2025 • Solo
Small volunteer-run museum which was interesting to pop into when I was in the area. Volunteers were welcoming and friendly and available to answer questions but left me to wander round at my own pace, which I prefer. Plenty of information boards to outline the history of freemasonry in general and of the organisation in Kent in particular. Some interesting exhibits but after a while there were only so many medals I could look at and only so many commemorative objects bearing masonic symbols! Free entry, donations appreciated.
Written January 13, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Storm G
Canterbury, UK4 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
I genuinely really enjoyed the museum, as it was interesting to learn about the Freemasons in more depth BUT
the male volunteers running the museum during our visit completely ignored myself and the other female members of the group, and only answered the questions of the guys we were with. It didn't help that my only question revolved around the terminology that the female sect of freemasonry used.
Really informative, awful staff.
the male volunteers running the museum during our visit completely ignored myself and the other female members of the group, and only answered the questions of the guys we were with. It didn't help that my only question revolved around the terminology that the female sect of freemasonry used.
Really informative, awful staff.
Written May 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and am glad that you really enjoyed our museum.
I am very sorry that we didn't look after you as well as we both would expect and in the way that we normally do. If you read other reviews our volunteer stewards usually receive wholesome praise, so I can again only apologise and suggest that you caught them on an off day.
Once again, I thank you for leaving a frank review as it only through such comments that we can hope hope to get things right in the future.
If there is anything that you would like to know that wasn't answered on the day please get in touch via our website and I will be more than happy to assist you.
Robin
Written May 10, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pammie
43 contributions
Aug 2019
We just happened on this place and were so glad!
The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. It was clear that the exhibits were put together with much care and heart. This is not a kitschy, over-hyped tourist attraction.
Yes, it’s small and having a genuine interest in the topic is essential. But, there is no charge except a request for a gold coin donation.
Great stuff!
The staff were super friendly and knowledgeable. It was clear that the exhibits were put together with much care and heart. This is not a kitschy, over-hyped tourist attraction.
Yes, it’s small and having a genuine interest in the topic is essential. But, there is no charge except a request for a gold coin donation.
Great stuff!
Written August 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for such a kind review.
I am glad that you enjoyed finding us and will be sure to pass on your comments to our volunteers.
Robin
Written August 7, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Neese12
Maidstone, United Kingdom387 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
What a fascinating insight into the world of Freemasonry! Thanks to our 2 guides who were open to answering any question asked and showed us inside the very imposing and beautiful Masonic Temple too, a number of my preconceived ideas and notions were clearly shown to be myths.
I was REALLY interested to learn that the notion of the Masons as being a Secret Society originated with the need to hide themselves from the unwelcome interest of the Nazi party and to protect themselves from potentially being rounded up and interned in Concentration Camps alongside all of the other groups Hitler took a dislike to
I was REALLY interested to learn that the notion of the Masons as being a Secret Society originated with the need to hide themselves from the unwelcome interest of the Nazi party and to protect themselves from potentially being rounded up and interned in Concentration Camps alongside all of the other groups Hitler took a dislike to
Written April 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a glowing review.
As always we will pass on your kind words to our band of friendly volunteers.
Rob
Written April 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul
London, UK13 contributions
Apr 2019
The museum is an amazing place to look around it was a shame I only had a limited amount of time to spend there. Maybe next time.
YF paul
YF paul
Written April 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many thanks Paul
We regularly update our exhibitions so please do come and see us again when you are next in Canterbury.
Rob
Written April 16, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BethLane1
Canterbury, UK2 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
Me and my friend Beth went there a few days ago and were surprised at the amazing exhibition work and the friendliness of the staff. We'll be back again in the near future to take in more of the exhibits! I knew nothing about the masons but afterwards, I could tell all my friends about it and it was so interesting. x
Written March 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Beth
thank you for your kind comments. Please do come and visit us again soon.
Robin
Written March 21, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What is the surprising meaning or significance of special4christopher's Masonic ring, please?
Written January 9, 2019
Hi,
Please could you expand on your question a little.
Many Thanks
Rob
Written January 10, 2019
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