One of Kent’s biggest museums has reopened with a new exhibition, just in time for half term.

Maidstone Museum is now welcoming visitors back through its doors to take a look at the Animal Guising and the Kentish Hooden Horse exhibition.

The exhibition, which is open until Saturday, June 17, explores the history of hooden horses and folklore with artefacts, displays and performances.

Hoodening is a Christmas folk tradition originating in Kent which uses a wooden hobby horse, called a hooden horse, that is mounted on a pole and carried by someone hidden under a sackcloth.

The new display in Maidstone features the museum’s two old Hooden Horses, along with Morris Dancing revival horses, Northern skull horses, the Old Tup, the Welsh Mari Lwyd, West Country Obby Osses and ancient stag disguises.

There will also be information about the traditional custom of hoodening and its revival in recent years, as well as the new practice of autohoodening, a modern folk performance based on the Kentish custom.

Curator of the Animal Guising and the Kentish Hooden Horse exhibition, James Frost, said: “The exhibition is aimed at the general public as well as specialist groups interested in seasonal customs, folklore, ritual drama, folk horror, rural landscape and workers’ rights.

“There will be broadcasts on the Folklore Podcast and public talks by Professor Ronald Hutton, Dr Geoff Doel, George Frampton, Ben Jones, Ben Edge and Mark Norman. The Hooden Horse will be brought to life around the town and museum on event days during the exhibition.”

The museum will be hosting a number of events to tie in with the new exhibition.

On Saturday, February 11 there will be a Hoodening Family Fun Day, which will see live performances by musicians and a theatre group, as well as arts activities for children.

Adults are also invited to find out more about the history of hoodening with a talk on Folklore and Traditional Customs with Professor Ronald Hutton on Monday, February 13.

There will also be multiple craft sessions during the February half term where children can get creative with themes linked to the exhibition.

The half term sessions take place from 10.30am to 2.30pm from Tuesday, February 14 to Thursday, February 16.

You can find out more about Maidstone Museum’s upcoming events here.

Cllr Claudine Russell, Lead Member for Leisure and Arts at Maidstone Borough Council, said: “This fascinating look into the history of the hooden horse and folklore will be brought to life with a variety of displays, talks and performances.

“Maidstone Museum is owned and run by the Council, it is an important part of our heritage and is free to enter. One of our key aims is to offer a vibrant leisure and culture offer, which is enjoyed by residents and attractive to visitors, these events are an important part of that.”