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Welcome to Maidstone Accommodation. Your quick and easy accommodation finder
The official tourist information website for Maidstone:
All things Maidstone:
http://www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/
Places to visit and things to do:
Museum of Kent life http://www.museum-kentlife.co.uk/
At the Museum of Kent Life you can discover the rich and vibrant history of the people who lived and worked in the Garden of England over the past 150 years. Lots to see and do for all the family. Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk Housed in a charming Elizabethan Manor House, in the centre of Maidstone - Kent's County Town - stands this exceptional Museum. Each gallery will fascinate and surprise; with a wealth of exhibits and objects to see and enjoy. Don't forget entry to our Museum is Free!
The Hop Farm Country Park http://www.thehopfarm.co.uk/
Set in 400 acres of unspoilt Kent countryside, this once working Hop Farm is one of Kent’s most popular tourist attractions. The spectacular Oast village provides the perfect setting for a great family day out in the Garden of England. Open all year round with over 30 special events, The Hop Farm is one the South East’s premier event venues.
Kent Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre -Tyland Barn Kent Wildlife Trust Details of various centres and a host of wildlife activities. Burham Down Nature Reserve Managed by Kent Wildlife Trust, the reserve is in two parts totalling 104 hectares. The south-eastern section is dominated by woodland and scrub, with two areas totalling approximately 5 hectares, which are managed by grazing using the Trust's own herd of Exmoor ponies. The northern section is also predominantly woodland with some recently cleared areas, now under grazing management. Access to this section is by arrangement only. The down provides wonderful views over the Weald of Kent. West of the A229 (Maidstone to Chatham Road) adjoining the KCC picnic site on Common Road, Bluebell Hill.
The Friars http://www.thefriars.org.uk/
Set in the heart of Kent, England, The Friars - Aylesford Priory - is an ancient religious house of the Order of Carmelites dating back to the 13th Century. Over the centuries and now today The Friars has become for thousands of visitors and friends.
Stoneacre http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-stoneacre
. Dates from late 15th century. House features great hall and crownpost. Surrounded by harmonious garden, orchard and meadows.
Hazlitt Theatre & The Exchange http://www.hazlittartscentre.co.uk/
Our full programme presents nationwide professional acts and excellent home grown amateur talent and trips to London ensure that you have direct, easy access to top West End shows.
All Saints Church http://www.maidstoneallsaints.freeserve.co.uk/
Built in 1395 as a Collegiate Church by Archbishop William Courtenay. Twenty four clergy sang morning and evening prayer each day and looked after the pastoral, educational and practical needs of the citizens of Maidstone. In 1549 the college was dissolved and the church became the Parish Church of Maidstone. Since then the Parish Priest and his colleagues have ministered to this parish.
Light Railway http://www.bwlr.co.uk/
A delightful 2 foot gauge line tucked away in the heart of the Kent countryside, England, near the village of Bredgar in a richly wooded area of the North Kent Downs.
River cruise www.kentishlady.co.uk
The Kentish Lady is a fully equipped passenger vessel licensed for a maximum of 100 guests (reduced to a maximum of 75 guests when on private hire). She has excellent facilities including ladies and gents washrooms, heating, and a licensed bar serving wine, spirits, draft and bottled beers, soft drinks, hot beverages and snacks.
Graham Clarke Studio www.grahamclarke.co.uk/
Graham Clarke, author, illustrator and humorist, is one of Britain's most popular and best-selling printmakers. He has created some five hundred images of English rural life and history, of the Bible and of the Englishman's view of Europe.
Leeds Castle http://www.leeds-castle.co.uk/
Leeds Castle, set on two islands on the River Len in the heart of Kent, has been home to royalty, lords and ladies for over 1000 years. Visitors are transported through 900 years of the castle’s history; an eclectic mix of period architecture, sumptuous interiors and family treasures waiting to be discovered.
Maidstone Carriage
Museum
www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk/pages/index.asp?area=143
The Tyrwhitt Drake Collection Situated in the 14th century stables of the Archbishops' Palace, Maidstone Carriage Museum houses a unique collection of horse-drawn vehicles, including Royal and state carriages. This collection was the first of its kind in Britain and is widely regarded as the finest in Europe. As well as the finest state carriages originally owned by Royalty and titled families, the collection also holds several more mundane vehicles such as governess carts and gigs, which older visitors may remember.
Teapot Island www.teapotisland.com
The amazing Teapot Island exhibition has over 3,500 teapots, each with its own unique history. There is a wonderful array of colours and designs and even a signature teapot representing Teapot Island - a green island in the sea with a little fishing boat. After admiring the teapot display, visitors can enjoy a cream tea, lunch or dinner in the riverside cafe.
Kits Coty & Little Kits Coty www.kitscoty.co.uk/history.html
Blue Bell Hill (Off A229) Thought to be older than Stonehenge, the ruins of two prehistoric burial chambers take their name from a shepherd called Kit, who used the stones for shelter in the 17th Century.
Lockmeadow
Entertainment Centre www.lockmeadowcentre.co.uk/
Situated in the centre of Maidstone by the riverside, this exciting entertainment centre offers an 8-screen multiplex, a nightclub, bars, restaurants and gym and is home to the Maidstone Lockmeadow Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Parks and Gardens
Mote
Park
www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/explore-kent/parks-and-open-spaces/mote-park.h
450 acres of mature parkland with a 30 acre lake, providing a wide range of recreational activities. Pitch and Putt (18 holes), children's play area, horse riding (permit only), miniature railway on Sunday afternoons. The area around the lake is used as a cycling path.
Brenchley Gardens
www.maidstonearts.com/?88
Situated in the town centre between Maidstone East Station and Maidstone Museum, Brenchley Gardens provides an oasis of calm in contrast to the bustling shopping streets. The Victorian bandstand is the venue for Sunday afternoon concerts during the summer, as well as for other events throughout the year. Click here for a location map of Brenchley Gardens
Iden Croft Herb Gardens http://www.herbs-uk.com/
Iden Croft Herbs came into being 30 years ago in the derelict kitchen gardens of Staplehurst Manor. The original concept was to show how herbs and aromatic plants could be integrated into gardens and borders as well as in a more formal herb garden. This ethos holds as true today as it did in the beginning.
Maidstone
Millennium River Park
www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/explore-kent/parks-and-open-spaces/maidstone-millennium-river-park.htm
The Maidstone Millennium River Park is the biggest Millennium project in the South-East outside London.
Blue Bell Hill
Picnic Site
www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/explore-kent/parks-and-open-spaces/blue-bell-hill-picnic-site.htm
Set on the chalk downland, this site offers a panoramic view over the Medway Valley. With access to the North Downs Way, this is an ideal spot for walkers and picnickers. Blue Bell Hill is one of the highest points in Kent and offers terrific views of the Medway Valley and beyond.
Burham Down Nature Reserve http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burham_Down
West of the A229 (Maidstone to Chatham Road) adjoining the KCC picnic site on Common Road, Bluebell Hill Managed by Kent Wildlife Trust, the reserve is in two parts totalling 104 hectares. The south-eastern section is dominated by woodland and scrub, with two areas totalling approximately 5 hectares, which are managed by grazing using the Trust's own herd of Exmoor ponies. The down provides wonderful views over the Weald of Kent.
Quarry Wood Nature
Reserve Near West Farleigh.
http://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserves/maidstone-low-weald-area/quarry-wood/
Managed by Kent Wildlife Trust, Quarry Wood is 26 hectares of ancient mixed woodland located near West Farleigh. The south side of the reserve has mature oak and beech. Between here and the old rag stone quarry, ash and sycamore can be found in the long damp valley. There is a small area of conifers in the centre of the reserve in what was once a hop garden. The sides of the stream at the bottom of the valley are covered in plants such as golden saxifrage, Cuckooflower, red campion and a large colony of ramsons. The valley slopes are covered with dog’s mercury, early purple orchid, twayblade and the occasional common-spotted orchid.
Teston Bridge
Picnic Site.
http://www.testonpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm?pid=663
Teston An ideal starting point for a riverside walk, this large picnic site just off the A26 West of Maidstone, is bordered by the historic medieval bridge. Children's play area. Car park.
Vinters Valley
Nature Reserve
http://www.boxleyparishcouncil.co.uk/vinters_valley_nature_reserve.htm
This 90 acre park on the eastern edge of Maidstone is managed as a nature reserve for disappearing flora & fauna, offering a tranquil spot for those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle. The park can be accessed from Bearsted Road, near M20 junction 7. Westfield Wood Nature Reserve Clearly visible from the A229, Maidstone-Chatham road (Blue Bell Hill). This five-and-a-half hectare site is part of an internationally important yew woodland complex. The steep chalky slopes of the central part of the wood are occupied by a dense stand of yew overtopped in places by mature ash and beech, with some field maple, wild cherry and oak.
Garden Organic
Yalding
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/gardens/yalding.php
Nestling against a traditional backdrop of hop gardens and oast houses, the gardens trace garden history through sixteen landscaped displays, including a 13th century apothecary's garden, a Tudor knot, a cottager's garden in the early 19th century and a stunning herbaceous border, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll.
For food and restaurants visit
http://warehouse.digitalmaidstone.co.uk/tourmaidstone/asp/eatsearch.asp
Golf
Courses/Clubs
Bearsted Golf Club -
http://www.bearstedgolfclub.co.uk/
Cobtree Manor Golf Club :-
This is a public couse with friendly staff - Call 01622 753276 or
check out their webside for further details.
http://www.medwaygolf.co.uk/cobtree_home.html
