Ashford Museum

Ashford Museum Housed in a 17th century Grade II listed building, close to Ashford town centre and features exhibits associated with Ashford's history

Housed in a 17th century Grade II listed building, the museum is located in the Church Yard at the Heart of Ashford's Town Centre and features exhibits associated with Ashford's history. The Museum was founded during the mid 1980's & was registered in 1989. Ashford Museum provides an important role within the community by promoting the town's fascinating past to local schools, community groups and

visitors from across the world. The Museum holds its exhibits on two floors so there is plenty to see and learn about the town's past. It is an important resource for researches and historians. The Museum endeavours to provide a free facility for the display of its collections and is purely run by volunteer efforts. Donations are gratefully received. The Museum is open from 11am until 2pm Tuesday to Saturday between April and late October. The Museum now has an Annexe at 57 High Street. The Annexe is primarily to give us additional space to care for our collections, but will be available as a point of contact, for donating objects and enquiring about volunteering and membership during the Museum winter closure period. Opening hours for the Annexe are subject to the availability of volunteers and the work that is being undertaken. Please message us before making a trip specifically to visit us in the Annexe.

06/08/2026

The Museum will not open
on Friday 7th August or
Saturday 8th August

06/08/2026

Unfortunately due to an incident we have had to close the museum today.

Did you know? (Part one)Ashford's ODEON is older than its more famous cousin in Leicester Square.Facts like these are ea...
03/08/2026

Did you know? (Part one)

Ashford's ODEON is older than its more famous cousin in Leicester Square.

Facts like these are easy to find but they only tell a tiny percentage of Ashford’s ODEON life. We’re looking for people who can help us tell the personal side. Do you have memories of the ODEON building? Come along and tell us your side of the story on:
Saturday 22 August 2026 | 9:30am – 2:30pm
At: Ashford Gateway Centre, Church Road, Ashford, TN23 1AS
No need to book, just drop in.
P.S – if you have photographs, tickets or memorabilia we’d love to see them too.
Thank you to Ian Sharp for sharing this image with us.

We are looking for somebody to co-ordinate the rota for our stewards. Our stewards select sessions that they would like ...
13/07/2026

We are looking for somebody to co-ordinate the rota for our stewards.

Our stewards select sessions that they would like to volunteer for. The co-ordinator will notify stewards of gaps and cancellations that need filling. You will need to be in a position to take phone calls regarding short notice cancellations.
All of the work can be done from home but will require visiting the museum occasionally to collect the completed rota.
The Museum is open from April to October every year.

Ashford Museum is run and staffed entirely by volunteers.

We want to know it all! And only you can tell us. Help build a lasting legacy of the Odeon buildings former lives. Come ...
04/07/2026

We want to know it all! And only you can tell us. Help build a lasting legacy of the Odeon buildings former lives. Come along, share your memories and help build an archive for the future.

See you tomorrow at Ashford Gateway Centre, Church Road, Ashford, TN23 1AS
No need to book just pop in between 9.30am–2.30pm

Every memory helps tell Ashford’s story.

We have dismantled the General Strike Centenary Exhibition, but if you haven't yet seen it, and visit the Kent County Sh...
02/07/2026

We have dismantled the General Strike Centenary Exhibition, but if you haven't yet seen it, and visit the Kent County Show over the weekend, it is being displayed with Wheels of Time. Find us in the Heritage Marquee.
In the Museum the exhibition telling the story of Percival Edward Norman, the lesser known brother of Norman cycles founders, has returned.

We were delighted to present a 2026 Wheels of Time Award to Sophia, on Saturday. Sophia earned her Award by visiting all...
29/06/2026

We were delighted to present a 2026 Wheels of Time Award to Sophia, on Saturday. Sophia earned her Award by visiting all 53 of the venues on 's map.

After receiving her award Sophia played guinea pig for us by trialling our new quiz which will be available for all young visitors before the school holidays start.

Heritage explorers, aged 5-11, visiting Ashford Museum or any of the 53 museums and Wheels of Time heritage venues in Kent receive a badge of a design individual to that venue.
Children who visit two venues will be given a lanyard to display their badges and those who visit 10 venues a Roamin' Rex Bronze Award. Further awards are given to children who visit 20, 30, 40 leading to the Annual Wheels of Time Award for visiting all of the venues on the current map.

Recognise Ashford's Odeon building in its Mecca bingo days?Did you dib with your Dobber? Win big or just enjoy the fun? ...
29/06/2026

Recognise Ashford's Odeon building in its Mecca bingo days?
Did you dib with your Dobber? Win big or just enjoy the fun?

Whatever your memories we'd love to hear them.
Help create an archive of memories of one of Ashford's signature buildings.

Come along on Saturday, share your memories, we're looking forward to hear them.

9.30 - 2.30 @ Ashford Gateway Centre, Church Road, Ashford - Sat 3rd July & Sat 22nd August

Photo from the collection of Ashford Museum - don't forget to bring your photos too!

Bingo!Did callers at Ashford’s Mecca Bingo use the phrase “Two Little Ducks”? Did you dab your numbers with a dobber? Or...
29/06/2026

Bingo!

Did callers at Ashford’s Mecca Bingo use the phrase “Two Little Ducks”? Did you dab your numbers with a dobber? Or were you a regular at Top Rank? What were the biggest prize games called? Did you ever win big? Was a visit there the highlight of your week?

These are stories that can only be told by the people who were there. If that was you, then you’re the expert we need.

Help future generations understand the important role Ashford’s Odeon building played in the life of the town by sharing your memories at one of our Odeon Cinema Memories Drop-In Sessions. Your experiences will be preserved as part of a dedicated chapter in Ashford Museum’s People’s Library collection.
Drop-in sessions:
Saturday 3 July and Saturday 22 August
9.30am–2.30pm
Ashford Gateway Centre, Church Road, Ashford, TN23 1AS

Every memory helps tell Ashford’s story.

Did you work at Ashford’s Odeon building? When it was a bingo hall or a cinema?We need your help! What was your working ...
24/06/2026

Did you work at Ashford’s Odeon building? When it was a bingo hall or a cinema?
We need your help!
What was your working day like? What did you do? Do you remember your first day? Your best, funniest or even your worst day there? Was there a uniform?
Your memories and photos could help others, now and in the future, understand the place that Ashford’s Odeon building, through all its incarnations, held in people’s lives.
Meet the team at on of the drop-in sessions taking place at Ashford Gateway Centre, Church Road, Ashford, TN23 1AS between 9.30 and 2.30 on:
Saturday 4th July
Saturday 22nd August
Come along and play your part in telling Ashford’s story

Image: for illustration purposes. copyright Ann Austin

Address

Church Yard
Ashford
TN231QG

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 2pm
Wednesday 11am - 2pm
Thursday 11am - 2pm
Saturday 11am - 2pm

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