The Beaney

18/06/2026

A really exciting find is coming to The Beaney! ✨

A rare Anglo-Saxon artefact discovered by a metal detectorist in Lynsted could unlock the secrets of some of Britain's most iconic archaeological treasures.

More here: https://bbc.in/3Q4Eu0k

17/06/2026

The Making of Marlowe: Poet, Playwright, Provocateur 🪶

Born in 1564—the same year as William Shakespeare—Marlowe came of age during the height of the English Renaissance. The son of a shoemaker, he received an elite education thanks to scholarships that took him from the King’s School, Canterbury to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

By the late 1580s, he was writing for London’s commercial playhouses, completing tragedies such as Tamburlaine and Doctor Faustus that stunned audiences with their power and intensity. His ‘mighty line’ helped to transform the sound of English drama.

Marlowe’s life was as dramatic as his works. He may have served as a spy for Elizabeth I’s government while at Cambridge. He was arrested several times in England and abroad, accused of violent behaviour and illicit activities, suspected of heresy and atheism, and ultimately killed at the age of just twenty-nine in suspicious circumstances. 🗡

Despite his short and turbulent life, Marlowe left behind an extraordinary legacy of poetry, translations, and plays that changed the course of English literature.

Visit the exhibition to discover artefacts, historical documents and interactive displays that bring to the life the story of Canterbury’s notorious poet, playwright, and provocateur!

Saturday 25 July to Sunday 22 Nov 2026 (Closed Mondays)

Special Exhibitions Room, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge 📍

Admission Free | Please donate

Created in partnership: Canterbury Museums & Galleries | The Oxford Marlowe Project at the University of Kent

15/06/2026

Remember Professor Yaffle? Let’s take a trip down memory lane… 🎥

Whilst checking the displays recently we thought we’d share a special memory with Professor Yaffle - the bird and cat sequence from Episode 3 of Bagpuss ‘The Frog Princess’

Follow The Beaney to keep in touch with all your favourite Smallfilms characters! 👆

11/06/2026

Canterbury has been welcoming pilgrims for centuries… here are some of the famous ones! 👀

In The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer imagined a lively group of travellers travelling from London to Canterbury, each with a story to tell. Written in the late 1300s, the brilliant collection helped put Canterbury firmly on the world map.

For the 900th anniversary of Canterbury Cathedral, Chaucer's characters were brought to live with the making of these beautifully carved spoons, made by wood carver Trevor Cross of South Wales. All twenty-four characters were made — from the noble Knight to the bold Wife of Bath and the mischievous Miller!

Who can you spot?

Find them in the People & Places Gallery, First Floor, The Beaney House of Art & Knowledge

10/06/2026

Sketchbooks - we love to see them! ✍️

We were really happy to find artist Peter Cambell Saunders sketching in the galleries recently.

Whether it's a quick doodle or a detailed drawing, we love to see sketching happening all around the museum. From paintings and puppets to artefacts and architectural details - the galleries are full of inspiration.

So next time you visit, bring your sketchbook, or pick up one of ours! 📕

09/06/2026

✨ Still time but not much - final week of ‘Golden Time’!

An exhibition featuring the work of artists Grace Hann, Nicola Flower, Casey B, Kenny Mangena and Chris Duncan inspired by Playground’s multidisciplinary approach to creating work with and for babies and young children.

Last day to visit: Sunday 14 June 2026

08/06/2026

Bagpuss: from sketch to screen ✏️🎥

Part of a collection of beautiful drawings and photos that give us a special insight into the making of the much loved show created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate.

Shall we take a closer look at particular character next? Who’s your favourite? 💬

Smallfilms Gallery, The Beaney, Canterbury 📍

06/06/2026

🌈 Rainbows, rain and sunshine!

Happy 10 Years of Canterbury Pride everyone! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

04/06/2026

🪡 Making an imaginary world!

Artists Roma Patel and Rachel Clementine created The Garden made from recycled and sustainable materials. This immersive installation is designed to spark curiosity and encourage playful exploration in babies and young children. 🌱

The Garden is part of the amazing Playground 26 Festival.

Visit to find out more and book!

03/06/2026

🙌 It's Volunteers Week and we'd like to say a huge thank you!

Last year volunteers generously provided over 715 hours of support to the museum whilst gaining experience working with the collection.

Caring for the museum collection and making it accessible takes a huge amount of work and the support we receive from our volunteers is as important as ever.

So as always - thank you to all of our amazing volunteers past and present! 🙌

Are you interested in volunteering at The Beaney? We have a waiting list for collections volunteers but we’re currently looking for friendly volunteers to help provide a warm and inclusive experience onsite for our visitors.

See our recent post or visit our website for more details 👉