The Amelia Scott has welcomed its one millionth visitor!

Six-day-old Sienna became the one millionth visitor to the landmark venue in Royal Tunbridge Wells on 19 June 2025.

She arrived with her parents, Millie and Jordan, who were visiting to register her birth, and to mark the milestone Sienna was presented with a voucher for the Assembly Hall Theatre and a goody bag.

The Amelia Scott, which opened in 2022, was developed in partnership with Kent County Council, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England to integrate and extend a range of cultural and learning facilities in the town including a library, museum, art gallery and adult education. It is a showcase for learning, wellbeing, culture and the arts and has firmly established itself as a place to visit in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

The Amelia Scott is also the place to visit to access borough council and some county council services including the registrars’ service which registered Sienna’s birth.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Economic Development, Justine Rutland said: ‘To have reached this milestone in a little over three years is nothing short of incredible, and I would like to thank everyone who works and volunteers at The Amelia Scott. Here you will find so much care taken and dedication to look after the residents of Tunbridge Wells in all sorts of ways. I know the team will not be resting on its laurels but instead be preparing for a busy summer and exciting, creative new projects.’

Kent County Council Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services, Paul Webb, said: ‘Many congratulations to The Amelia Scott for reaching the one millionth visitor point so quickly, and well done to all the staff delivering this great mix of services with such care and enthusiasm. This is a testament to the partnership approach built between KCC and TWBC that integrated the library, registration service, museum, art gallery, gateway and adult education services into The Amelia, and the continuing efforts working in partnership to deliver the best experiences possible to customers.’

June is a busy month for The Amelia Scott, as well as welcoming the one millionth visitor, the centre has learnt they are one of four museums shortlisted for the 2025 Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award. And the team is preparing for the opening of the summer exhibition MAGIC PLACE when visitors of all ages are invited to explore a joyful, ever-changing digital environment inspired by the magic of early computer graphics.

July also sees the launch of the annual libraries Summer Reading Challenge, this year called Story Garden. It inspires children to read six books over the summer holiday period with lots of fun events and activities along the way.