Museum

Huguenot Museum

Rochester

With a National Art Pass you get

50% off entry
£4 £2 Standard entry price

The first and only museum of Huguenot history in the country, the Huguenot Museum in Rochester tells an important story of Britain's first refugees.

The museum was established in 2014, initiated by its sister charity the French Hospital, which provides care for Huguenot descendants, to convey the compelling story of the Huguenots, a French Protestant group who faced persecution in the 16th and 17th centuries. Through its permanent and temporary exhibitions, the museum sheds light on their flight to Britain, their integration into society, and their lasting impact on the nation's cultural fabric.

Huguenot skills

The museum boasts a rich collection, including artefacts like oil paintings, silverware, personal belongings, and even silk samples. The Huguenots' impressive skills in craftsmanship and artistry are explored through craft workshops at the museum, from French knitting to medicine making, weaving to botanical drawing.

Ancestry

Informative exhibits detail the reasons behind the Huguenot persecution, their perilous journeys, and their contributions to British society. The museum also houses a collection of resources for those interested in researching their Huguenot ancestry.

Did you know?

The word refugee originated from the French réfugié which referred to Protestants who fled France following the revocation in 1685 of the Edict of Nantes, the law that granted religious liberty and civil rights to the Protestant Huguenots for nearly a century.


Other attractions in the area include Restoration House in Rochester, and The Historic Dockyard Chatham.

Visitor information

Address

Huguenot Museum

95 High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1LX
01634 789347

Opening times

Fri & Sat 10am-4pm (last entry at 3.30pm)
Bank holidays 11am-4pm (last entry at 3.30pm)

Closed Sundays & Tuesdays

Exclusions and safety measures

Please check our website for up to date opening information which may be subject to change. We will restrict numbers in the galleries and shop if they get too busy. We have installed hand sanitiser stations, one-way systems and increased ventilation.

Visitor information

IndividualTiana Clarke Please note this is an example card and not a reflection of the final product

The more you see, the more we do.

The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.