insideKENT Magazine Issue 157 - May 2025 | Page 30

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CHARTWELL
CHARTWELL

THE HEART OF BRITAIN’ S MILITARY HISTORY, RIGHT HERE IN KENT

KENT IS STEEPED IN FASCINATING MILITARY HISTORY, MAKING IT A PLACE OF DEEP INTEREST FOR BOTH VISITORS AND EXPERTS. FROM STROLLING AROUND THE TOWNS THAT STOOD GUARD OF THE KENT COASTLINE DURING TIMES OF CONFLICT TO EXPLORING BRITAIN’ S MOST FAMOUS RAF FIGHTER STATION, THERE ARE PLENTY OF THRILLING TALES TO DISCOVER ACROSS OUR CHARMING COUNTY. WITH AIR RAID TUNNELS, RAF AIRCRAFTS ON DISPLAY IN MUSEUMS, AND THE HOMETOWNS OF SOME OF BOTH WORLD WARS MOST NOBLE MEN, KENT’ S CAPTIVATING MILITARY HISTORY IS WAITING TO BE UNCOVERED.
8 May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day; the perfect chance to find out more about Kent’ s rich military history.
Chartwell Nowhere else in Kent offers a more fitting place to celebrate the anniversary of VE Day than Chartwell, the family home of Sir Winston Churchill. Throughout May, there will be a dedicated programme of events to mark the occasion, with guided tours and displays ensuring that the younger generations learn about the significance of the event. There’ s also a special children’ s trail that’ s perfect for younger visitors.
Biggin Hill Memorial Museum The Biggin Hill Memorial Museum holds plenty of stories as Britain’ s most famous fighter station. The museum and its online collection tell the stories of the brave soldiers who served at Biggin Hill and the community that supported them during the Second World War. The journey began 100 years ago when the site was just farmland before it became the most important airfield in the Battle of Britain.
Royal Engineers Museum This museum tells the story of the Royal Engineers and how they helped support the
British Army for over 300 years. The Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham exhibits a wealth of fascinating historical artefacts with highlights including Wellington’ s map from Waterloo, a huge V2 rocket, a Harrier jump jet and much more. It’ s no surprise that this wonderful collection has been designated as holding historical and international importance.
Military History on the Isle of Thanet Standing guard of the East Kent coast, the district of Thanet has played a huge part in Kent’ s fascinating military history. The Ramsgate Tunnels unravel the story of
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