Dover's town museum, located pretty centrally in the town's Marker Square and adjacent to the relatively new Discovery Centre, tells Dover's history through the s collection, which consists of an archaeology display, models and replicas (including a set of scale models showing the development ... Read review
Advantages: good displays, variety of exhibits, a lot of hands-on stuff, helpful staff Disadvantages: not exactly a major attraction
...the town and port of Dover from the Roman times up to 1990) and informative computer displays which include games and interactive exhibits.
As far as municipal museums go, the main display isn't at all bad, and if you are devoting any time to Dover at all, paying a quick visit might be a good idea. The displays are well presented and described, and the access to additional information through computer terminals and from members of staff ... ...high-tech gallery devoted to the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the oldest seafaring vessel in the world dug out when the new A20 was being built in 1992.
The boat itself (or rather what's left of it, put together) is shown off in a special glass display case but the find is a focus and a starting point for a number of imaginative exhibits, some hands-on, some traditional, concerning not just the boat itself and sea-faring 3,500 years ago, ... more
Dover's town museum, located pretty centrally in the town's Marker Square and adjacent to the relatively new Discovery Centre, tells Dover's history through the s collection, which consists of an archaeology display, models and replicas (including a set of scale models showing the development of the town and port of Dover from the Roman times up to 1990) and informative computer displays which include games and interactive exhibits.
As far as municipal museums go, the main display isn't at all bad, and if you are devoting any time to Dover at all, paying a quick visit might be a good idea. The displays are well presented and described, and the access to additional information through computer terminals and from members of staff is very good.
None of it is particularly breathtaking, but it is reasonably substantial and put together with care. My personal favourite is the gallery showing how the port changed from the Roman times through three-dimensional scale models. Children are more likely to be interested in small models of Roman and Saxon soldiers, complete with elephants; and the Victorian gallery with life-sized displays of clothing and interiors.
The highlight of the museum is, however, undoubtedly, a special high-tech gallery devoted to the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the oldest seafaring vessel in the world dug out when the new A20 was being built in 1992.
The boat itself (or rather what's left of it, put together) is shown off in a special glass display case but the find is a focus and a starting point for a number of imaginative exhibits, some hands-on, some traditional, concerning not just the boat itself and sea-faring 3,500 years ago, but the Bronze Age in general.
There are puzzles and interactive stations for the young ones, microscopes for viewing details of evidence from the excavation, small audio-visual auditorium running a film about the boat's discovery and even a replica hut, complete with inhabitants, showing how people lived in those days.
This gallery lifts the Dover Museum well above the typical small-town museum standards. It doesn't go overboard on the "interactive", but provides enough interest for both adults and older children to make the visit educational and memorable.
The museum runs regular family days, when children can make all kinds of craft items, from Christmas "stained glass" decorations to animal masks and Roman costumes, and the staff - often dressed up in historical costumes - are helpful, knowledgeable and seem interested in making the visitors interested.
There is a small gift shop, while next door in the Discovery Centre there is a pretty good cafe called Matzo which is one of the better places in town for lunch or a quick bite.
An hour or an hour and half is probably a maximum time most visitors would spend in the museum, and at £2.50 per adult (residents have free entry) it's worth visiting, though by no means a "must see" unless you have a particular interest in Dover's history or Bronze Age.
Opening hours:
10am - 5.30pm Monday to Saturday 12pm - 5.00pm Sunday Closed December 25th and 26th and on 1st January
Advantages: free entrance for locals, nice Bronze Age Boat on display Disadvantages: None
Location
Dover Museum is centrally located in the market square area of Dover town and is within walking distance to the train and bus stations.
Prices
Admission is free to local residents, although you do need to prove that you live in Dover by showing a document such as a bank statement or utility bill. Adults who do not reside in Dover will be charged two pound fifty and children are OAPs are charged one pound fifty.
The Museum
Dover Museum ... ...which traces the history of Dover from the Stone Age to the time of the Saxons.
Here you can view the Bronze Age boat which is believed to be the worlds oldest known sea going boat.
Here you can also view the array of Saxon jewellery, which is kindly borrowed from the British Museum.
On the first floor you can view the special exhibition on Victorian Dover. On the top floor of the museum you can view the 6 scaled models of the port of Dover showing ...
Jamie73 11.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Dover Museum
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Advantages: Very interest, Plenty for the kids Disadvantages: none
I wonder how many of the thousands of people who pass through Dover's ferry terminal each year ever stop to wonder what surrounds them just beyond the perimeter of the port. This is a small tight little town nestling below the imposing White Cliffs. The main attractions are undoubtedly the White Cliff Expoerience - an excellent museum devoted to the history of Dover with exhibitions dating back to pre-Roman times. An iron age boat which has been recovered from a nearby river is a relic of Dovers long association with the sea. The museum includes an excellent section on the role played by Dover in the second world war. This theme is also part of the main attraction for the imposing Castle which looks out across the Channel from its imposing position high on the cliffs. One of the fascinating parts of the castle is the warren ...
Advantages: Busy port. Shopping is reasonably good. White cliffs and Castle are attractive Disadvantages: Lacks character
of Canterbury, Rochester or nearby Sandwich. It does not have the Edwardian elegance of Folkestone nor the charm of Ramsgate further up the coast.
It does,however,have a compact shopping centre,friendly pubs, a range of eateries,several high quality hotels and a numnber of smaller hotels,guest houses and homely bed and breakfast places,especially along the Folkestone Road. Other attractions include the White Cliffs Experience, the Transport Museum and the Roman Painted house in New Street.
The surrounding countryside is most attractive and Dover can serve as a base for touring East Kent.
Thanks very much for reading ! ...
ashford 25.06.2000 (25.06.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Dover (England)
