Canterbury Heritage Museum

Discover Canterbury's history, from millions of years ago to the present, explored through interactive displays in an amazing medieval building.

Includes Anglo-Saxon treasures, Oliver Postgate's Thomas Becket story, the Tudors, Joseph Conrad's study, the Blitz gallery, Stephenson's original Invicta railway engine, Rupert Bear and the real Bagpuss.

Around the museum are over 30 exciting hands-on activities for families - you can write your name in Viking runes, sniff medieval poo, investigate finds like an archaeologist, try on Elizabethan costume and listen to wartime memories.

Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin created their much loved children's programme just outside Canterbury. See the real Bagpuss in Emily's shop window, original Clangers, Ivor the Engine and Noggin the Nog. And discover some Bagpuss secrets!

Rupert Bear was created by Canterbury-born Mary Tourtel. Discover his fascinating story, join in his adventures, see inside his house, and enjoy lots of fun activities including a giant snakes and ladders game.

Built in 1373, the museum was originally a medieval hospital for poor, sick and retired priests. Explore this magnificent timber-framed building to discover fascinating stories of former uses from medieval hospital, to workhouse and World War Two ambulance station, and marvel at its magnificent crown post roofs blackened by centuries of smoke.

Spend some time relaxing or picnicking in the medieval herb garden.

Free Digiguide Tour - see and listen to animated stories about famous Canterbury characters, key artefacts and aspects of the building's history on the museums hand-help computer guide. A highlights tour in English, French, German and Japanese.

Canterbury Heritage Museum currently houses some of the art collection from the Beaney Museum and Art Gallery, which is presently closed for redevelopment.