Royal Engineers Museum

The Royal Engineers Museum sits in Gillingham, just outside Aylesford, and it's properly fascinating if you've got even a passing interest in military history or engineering. You'll find yourself walking through galleries packed with everything from medieval siege equipment to Cold War-era communications kit - the sort of thing that makes you realise how much thinking goes into blowing things up or building things under fire.

The museum takes you chronologically through the Engineers' role across centuries of warfare and construction. Expect to spend two to three hours here if you're engaged, though you could rush through in ninety minutes. There's genuine appeal for families with older kids - teenagers especially tend to find the interactive displays and vehicle collections more engaging than your average dusty museum. Younger children might flag a bit without serious hand-holding.

What struck me most was how much of the collection deals with engineering as problem-solving rather than just soldiery. Bridging equipment, tunnelling, fortifications - there's real ingenuity on display. The outdoor areas showcase some impressive hardware too, which breaks up the indoor galleries nicely.

If you're staying at Kits Coty Glamping nearby, this makes a solid half-day addition to a park-based holiday, especially if the weather turns. Entry's reasonable value, though I'd check current admission prices before heading over. Go on a weekday if possible - weekends draw school groups, and the experience feels less intimate.