Other Attractions
The Historic Dockyard Chatham is home to a number of tenants and smaller exhibits that are open to visitors. The Dockyard is not responsible for them or their opening times so if you are planning to visit a specific attraction or business it’s best to check in advance.
Kent Police Museum
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Until further notice, the Kent Police Museum to be open every Wednesday 12 – 4pm. For Sunday opening times, please call 01634 403260 on a Wednesday before 4pm.
A major new exhibit at the Kent Police Museum is a 1930's Police Box. As iconic items in police history, these boxes were an important part of policing in the 20th century. This particular type of Police Box which is made from concrete with wooden doors is also known to many people as the “Tardis” in the BBC series ‘Dr Who’. It comes from Glasgow, but Kent also had them in the Borough forces in the same style. There is only one other left which is owned by the Civil Defence and Emergency Services Preservation Trust from which this one also came.
During the years that these boxes were in operation, they were used as a means of communication between the local Police station and the “Bobby on the Beat” – when the station wanted to get in contact with the ‘policeman on the ground’ the light at the top would flash and a repeater also flashed inside the box. The telephone inside could also be used by the general public to contact the police station on a direct telephone link.
The ‘Tardis’ police box had many uses – the policeman on the beat could take refreshment breaks inside and even keep a prisoner until further help arrived!
There was also a small safe and a First Aid Kit inside.
The box at the Kent Police Museum will have a perspex shield just inside the door to enable visitors to see what it was like inside.
The Kent Police Museum is filled with police memorabilia detailing the history of the force.
Among its collection is the world's largest working padlock as certified by The Guinness Book of Records and the pickled scalp of a manager from the Blue Moon Chinese Restaurant in Chatham. The scalp was found outside the restaurant after a kitchen worker went mad with a meat cleaver!
Motorbikes, seized weapons and uniforms are also on display.
For further information please call 01634 403260 or click here to visit the Kent Police Museum website
PS Kingswear Castle
Britain's last coal-fired Paddle Steamer, Kingswear Castle, operates from Thunderbolt Pier at The Historic Dockyard during the summer months. You'll need to buy a separate ticket to cruise the River Medway which can be purchased when you arrive which can be included in your entry to the site. Special group rates are available. For further information please telephone 01634 827648 or visit www.kingswearcastle.co.uk