About

The Crampton Tower Museum is a fascinating small museum is partly housed in a flint tower adjacent to the Broadstairs Railway Station. The tower formed part of the first Broadstairs public water supply and was put in repair by Thanet District Council.

Thomas Russell Crampton is perhaps chiefly remembered as a designer of locomotives and of railways, but he was also concerned with gas, water works and the submarine telegraph cable. He was the first to succeed in laying an effective telegraph cable under the English Channel.

Artefacts

There are a wealth of artefacts displayed in dedicated galleries including:

Thomas Crampton's working drawings, models and graphics
The original 1860 Broadstairs stage coach
Patents, awards and artefacts connected to Thomas Crampton's life and works
Records of the history and development of the railways, electric tramways, road transport and other aspects of local industry
5 working model railways in gauges N,OO,O and Gauge One

The Broadstairs Gallery

Introduced in 2006 is now in the main hall and focuses on the town of Broadstairs, illustrated through vintage postcards and photographs.

Crampton Tower Museum

There is a 5-inch gauge miniature railway on the museum site on which children can ride - weather permitting. This and other interactive displays make for an informative and entertaining visit for everyone - from families with children to historians and researchers.

The Museum is open from Good Friday until the last day of September, then weekends only in October. Opening can be arranged out of season and outside of normal hours for groups by prior arrangement. There is a small admission charge.

Crampton Tower Museum - Crampton Tower Museum

The Crampton Tower Museum wish to thank Thanet District Council and Broadstairs & St. Peter's Town Council for their ongoing and invaluable support.