News Maidstone Museum goes Bargain Hunting
Maidstone Museum recently welcomed BBC Bargain Hunt and expert Eric Knowles for a special segment exploring the life and work of celebrated Maidstone-born artist Albert Goodwin (1845–1932).
The feature, which will soon be available on BBC iPlayer, provided a national platform to highlight Goodwin’s extraordinary talent, deep local connections, and lasting influence as a visionary landscape painter.
Speaking to Eric Knowles, Maidstone Museum’s Collection Manager Samantha Harris said: “Goodwin’s career was championed by John Ruskin and influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and he is one of Maidstone Museum’s most treasured artistic figures.
“The museum holds an exceptional collection of more than 200 of his watercolours and drawings, capturing atmospheric scenes from his extensive travels and his life in Kent. Visitors can currently enjoy a selection of these works in the museum’s Art Gallery.”
Goodwin is just one of several distinguished artists with ties to Maidstone whose work features prominently in the museum’s collection. Another is William Alexander (1767–1816), a Maidstone-born artist renowned for his vivid and historically significant depictions of 18th-century China. Trained at the Royal Academy, Alexander served as the official draughtsman on Britain’s first diplomatic mission to the Qing court from 1792 to 1794. His illustrations, drawn from direct observation, offered British audiences an unprecedented view into Chinese life and culture during a time of growing international exchange.
Thanks to the museum’s recent success in securing £75,000 from the Museum Renewal Fund, Alexander’s legacy will soon gain renewed focus. This government-backed Arts Council initiative supports museums to build sustainable income streams and strengthen their long-term resilience. A portion of the grant will enable the museum to develop a major touring exhibition dedicated to Alexander’s global impact, drawing from Maidstone Museum’s unique and historically significant holdings.Councillor Stephen Thompson, Cabinet Member for Healthier Stronger Communities, added: “Artists such as Albert Goodwin and William Alexander show that Maidstone’s cultural heritage has long been internationally connected. National media attention is helping to raise the profile of Maidstone Museum as a place of real cultural significance, and that visibility gives us confidence as we plan for our museum’s future at the heart of Kent’s cultural life.”
The Museum Renewal Fund award will support much more than new exhibitions. It is also enabling investment in digital access, infrastructure improvements, and the enhancement of community spaces, ensuring the museum remains a vibrant cultural hub for residents and visitors alike.
From national TV features to new exhibitions shining a light on influential local artists, Maidstone Museum continues to grow its reputation as a centre of artistic and cultural discovery. Whether inspired by Goodwin’s dreamlike landscapes or Alexander’s cross-cultural chronicles, visitors can uncover extraordinary stories rooted right here in Maidstone.
Museum soon to reopen to the public
Maidstone Museum will be open to the public from 11th February 2026 and is free to visit, there is also an extensive events programme, to find out more and book your space visit Maidstone Museum’s website.