Crab Museum
Margate, Kent · Museum
The bit you came for
Our verdict
Kids
8.8/10
Novelty 10 · Fun Factor 9
Parents
8.4/10
Value 10 · Sanity Preservation 8
Tiny, hilarious and genuinely clever — a museum kids may remember more than the big-ticket ones.
The long read worth saving for nap time
What’s it actually like?
Crab Museum is a micro-museum in Kent that takes crabs, arthropods and ecology and turns them into something much more entertaining than that sounds. Reviews rave about the writing, the humour and the sense that you can pop in for 15 minutes or linger much longer if your children like reading every board. What really stands out is the personality. Families mention laughing out loud at the information boards, chatting to staff about crab specimens, and enjoying the mix of science, art and a bit of activism. It’s free too, which in this day and age feels almost suspiciously decent. The catch is that it’s tiny and up a flight of stairs, so this is not a pushchair-friendly, all-day-out kind of place. There aren’t many exhibits, and if you want soft play, coffee and a gift shop the size of a small airport, this is not that. But as a quirky, low-cost, genuinely original stop, it sounds a corker.
Two-minute orientation
Quick read
A very small crab museum with witty displays, art, science and plenty of reading for curious kids. It’s free, staff are praised as lovely and knowledgeable, and there’s a surprising amount to laugh at. Best for school-age children; less ideal for prams or anyone who struggles with stairs.
Best for ages
Strong score for mixed-age siblings
The boring brilliant stuff
Need to know
Indoor vs outdoor split
Mostly indoor
Parking detail
Full parking wording is landing soon — meanwhile check Maps plus the venue’s own FAQs.
Dog-friendly?
Probably not
Most indoor venues don't allow dogs. Worth confirming if you'd need to bring one.
Pram-friendly?
Limited
Tricky terrain or steps — best to leave the pram.
Baby change?
Likely yes
Venues this size usually have baby change facilities.
Food on-site & BYO
Likely yes: Venues this size almost always have a cafe.
Locate it
Margate, Kent
THINGS PARENTS ASK
Common questions
How long does a visit take?
You could be done in about 15 minutes, though many families stay longer.
Is it good value?
Yes — it’s free, and several reviewers mention donating because they felt it was so worthwhile.
Is it suitable for younger children?
Best for school-age children; toddlers may enjoy it less, though there is plenty of visual interest.
Is it easy to access with a pram or for limited mobility?
No clear pram facilities are mentioned, and one review says it’s up a flight of stairs, so access may be tricky.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Real review quotes
"the best writing I have EVER encountered in a museum"
"No other museum offers such a high ratio of fun:space"
"It’s free but we all ended up donating"