The Crab Museum in Margate, Kent, has been crowned Time Out's number one museum to visit in 2026, surpassing many larger institutions. This quirky, free-to-enter museum is Europe's only museum entirely dedicated to the humble crab.
What Makes the Crab Museum Unique?
Located in the heart of Margate Old Town, the museum occupies a modest building that might go unnoticed by passers-by. Inside, it explores everything about crabs, from their evolution and medical uses to their sexual reproduction, using hilarious and educational drawings that also touch on socio-political themes in a family-friendly manner.
The museum was founded in 2021 by brothers Bertie and Ned Suesat-Williams, along with Chase Coley. All three are titled "Crab Enthusiasts" with backgrounds in science and education. Ned Suesat, an archaeologist by training, said the inspiration was to "demonstrate the interconnectedness of all things - knowledge, humans, non-humans, crabs, fart jokes, politics and... stuff."
Visitor Experience and Recognition
Time Out's ranking placed the Crab Museum at the top for 2026, though Ned claimed they were "too busy talking about crabs to notice." He hopes to prove that "perhaps learning about science can be as fun as any other day out."
The museum holds a 4.6-star rating on TripAdvisor. One visitor wrote: "Who knew crabs could be so funny!? Had no idea what to expect, but what we experienced was such a joy! Had my friend and I roaring with laughter."
Practical Information and Future Plans
The Crab Museum is open Friday to Sunday, 11am to 5pm, and is completely free to visit, with ticketed special events. Looking ahead, Ned shared: "We're excited for a future where loving crabs and supporting weird museums is mainstream. Other aspects of the future remain terrifying - climate apocalypse and far right dictatorship especially - but we plan on staying crabby or dying trying."
