Maidstone

United_Kingdom

River Medway, Maidstone

Maidstone is a town in Mid-Kent, in the South East of England.

Straddling the river Medway, Maidstone is the economic, administrative and agricultural centre of Kent. For many years the major employment in the town was provided by the agricultural markets, insurance brokers and the toffee factory to the south of the river. Nowadays, however, many residents use Maidstone as a base to commute into London, or are employed within the retail, administrative or service sectors within the town.

Maidstone Museum

  • Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL, +44 1622 765400. Near Maidstone. Described by Lord Cornway as "the loveliest castle in the world". Admission £12.50 for adults (£10.00 - gardens only), £9.00 for children (£6.50 - gardens only).
  • Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith's Street, ME14 1LH. M-Sa 10AM-5:15PM, Su 11AM-4PM. A municipal museum with a wide ranging collection in 20 or so rooms. The local history collection on the ground floor gives an introduction to the recent history of the town. 3 rooms house a small art gallery. Free.
  • Maidstone Carriage Museum, Mill Street, ME15 6YE. Open summer only (closed in Mid-May).
  • All Saints Church, Mill Street, ME15 6YE. May to Sep: M-Th 10AM-4PM, Sa 10:30AM-12:30PM. Fine church rebuilt in the 14th century. The Archbishop's Palace next door is worth a look from the outside - it is now the registry office.
  • Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree, Lock Lane, Sandling, ME14 3AU.
  • Aylesford Priory. Founded in 1242.
  • Stoneacre, Otham, ME15 8RS (4 miles east of Maidstone, +44 1622 863247.

Leeds Castle, Maidstone, ME17 1PL, +44 1622 765400. Near Maidstone. Described by Lord Cornway as "the loveliest castle in the world". Admission £12.50 for adults (£10.00 - gardens only), £9.00 for children (£6.50 - gardens only).

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith's Street, ME14 1LH. M-Sa 10AM-5:15PM, Su 11AM-4PM. A municipal museum with a wide ranging collection in 20 or so rooms. The local history collection on the ground floor gives an introduction to the recent history of the town. 3 rooms house a small art gallery. Free.

Maidstone Carriage Museum, Mill Street, ME15 6YE. Open summer only (closed in Mid-May).

All Saints Church, Mill Street, ME15 6YE. May to Sep: M-Th 10AM-4PM, Sa 10:30AM-12:30PM. Fine church rebuilt in the 14th century. The Archbishop's Palace next door is worth a look from the outside - it is now the registry office.

Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree, Lock Lane, Sandling, ME14 3AU.

Aylesford Priory. Founded in 1242.

Stoneacre, Otham, ME15 8RS (4 miles east of Maidstone, +44 1622 863247.

  • Kent Flower Show - In July, one of the largest agricultural festivals in Britain
  • Kent County Show - in July, there is a large county show at the Kent Showground in Detling.

The Hazlitt Theatre, Earl Street, ME14 1PL, +44 1622 758611.

The Mall Maidstone

  • The Mall, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6AT, +44 1622 691130. M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM. The Mall is a large shopping centre in Maidstone containing a variety of shops.

The Mall, King Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 6AT, +44 1622 691130. M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM. The Mall is a large shopping centre in Maidstone containing a variety of shops.

  • The Oak on the Green, Bearsted Green, +44 1622 737976. A restaurant and pub next to a large cricket green in a small village just outside of Maidstone called Bearsted. The staff is friendly and helpful. At times, like most successful venues, it can be a tad busy and service can be a little slow. The food is primarily Mexican-based. The fajitas are fantastic, and come in either steak, chicken or mixed. Vegetarian options are available. Other recommendations are stuffed jalapeño peppers and fajitas (normally shared by two people). Prices start at £12, beer about £3.
  • Lockmeadow, Barker Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8SF, +44 1622 764410. Daily 6AM-midnight. Lockmeadow is an entertainment centre in Maidstone town centre. It contains bars, restaurants nightclubs and a cinema.

The Oak on the Green, Bearsted Green, +44 1622 737976. A restaurant and pub next to a large cricket green in a small village just outside of Maidstone called Bearsted. The staff is friendly and helpful. At times, like most successful venues, it can be a tad busy and service can be a little slow. The food is primarily Mexican-based. The fajitas are fantastic, and come in either steak, chicken or mixed. Vegetarian options are available. Other recommendations are stuffed jalapeño peppers and fajitas (normally shared by two people). Prices start at £12, beer about £3.

Lockmeadow, Barker Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8SF, +44 1622 764410. Daily 6AM-midnight. Lockmeadow is an entertainment centre in Maidstone town centre. It contains bars, restaurants nightclubs and a cinema.

Leeds Castle Other places of interest in the Maidstone area