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Town/City Name
Maidstone
County
Kent
Population
89,000
About Maidstone
Maidstone is a county town of England, and it is also the country’s largest town. It is located 32 miles from London’s east-south-east. Maidstone is linked with the Thames Estuary and Rochester through the River Medway.
People have lived in Maidstone even before the Stone Age, and today, it has a population of 89,000. Maidstone is currently known for its light industry and services which came from heavy industry before the Second World War happened.
Maidstone is very welcoming to be visitors, so going out in Maidstone is easy. There are a lot of historic gardens, castles and houses tourists can check out during their visit. Some of the famous places people frequent include Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery, Leeds Castle, Mote Park, Stoneacre and Cobtree Manor Park.
Of all these cited places, the most famous would have to be the Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery. This place houses precious art and antiques that are of mixed collections, and it has pieces dating back in the 19th century.
On the other hand, the restaurants in Maidstone are also in the must-see list for they offer tourist new food and culinary experience. Discover new drinks and enjoy delicious food during your visit in the area.
Along with good food, you can also visit numerous pubs in Maidstone. In these bars and pubs, you can enjoy the local produce which you can enjoy with your friends and family. There is a magnificent selection of beers and wines that you can explore when you are in town.
Meanwhile, Maidstone is also famous for some of the people who came from it. Notable people from Maidstone include author Dan Abnett, artist Bill Lewis, microbiologist Anthony Pawson, author and artist Michael Chaplin and England’s former Chief Scout Commissioner Bill Cockcroft.
Places to eat in Maidstone, Restaurants in Maidstone
Places to drink in Maidstone, Pubs and Bars in Maidstone
A brief history of Maidstone
People from the Neolithic period are believed to be the first ones to occupy Maidstone. The Romans also left evidence of their inhabitation in the roads of Maidstone.
Additionally, a shire moot was set up by Normans, Boxley has an abbey constructed by religious organisations, and priests have a college and hospitals.
Maidstone had an important role in the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt. John Ball, a rebel priest, was imprisoned in this town. However, Wat Tyler, a resident and ruler, freed Ball.
In 1549, Maidstone became a town, but it was revoked shortly. In 1551, it became a borough under a new charter. It was then ratified by James I in 1619. Starting from 1604, Maidstone has had the right to a town gaol.
The Parliamentarians won in the 1648 Battle of Maidstone which happened during the English Civil War. Charles I’s death was also announced by Andrew Broughton who now has a plaque in Maidstone Town Centre. Broughton was the 1649 mayor, and today, he was given the title “Mayor and Regicide.”
Maidstone was popularly known for brewing, paper mills, cloth industry and stone quarrying. Wove paper was an important development in the printing history. It was invented by James Whatman. This happened in 1740 at Turkey Mill.
In 1798, Maidstone had a permanent military presence when the cavalry barracks was completed. Today, the 36 Engineer Regiment now occupies the Invicta park Barracks.
There are numerous settlements and outlying villages in Maidstone today. A local pub was damaged due to a bomb in 1975. This was during an IRA campaign in the country.
Later on, Maidstone General Hospital operated on the town’s outskirts. This replaced West Kent General Hospital which has existed 150 years earlier than Maidstone General Hospital.
Popular things to do in Maidstone
- Visit the popular Leeds Castle – https://www.leeds-castle.com/
- Check out Stoneacre - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneacre
- Appreciate art and history at Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery - https://museum.maidstone.gov.uk/
- Take a day out at Mote Park - https://www.visitmaidstone.com/things-to-do/mote-park-p12581
- Spend mornings at Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats - https://www.buttercups.org.uk/
Free things to do in Maidstone
- Relax at the peaceful Cobtree Manor Park – http://www.cobtreemanorpark.co.uk/
- Choose from the wide range of recreational activities at Mote Park - https://www.moteparkfellowship.org.uk/mote-park
- Check out the exhibitions on wildlife and conservation at Tyland Barn - https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/tyland-barn
- Visit one of the few remaining grass strip airfields at Headcorn Aerodrome - https://www.headcornaerodrome.co.uk/
- Spend a day with your family at Little Fant Farm - https://www.littlefantfarm.online/
Great for kids in Maidstone
- See the family-friendly attractions at Kent Life - Heritage Farm Park – https://kentlife.org.uk/
- Ride a boat at Hire Cruisers - Self-Drive Boat Rental - https://kentishlady.co.uk/
- Look at the long curving horns and thick goat fur at Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats - https://www.buttercups.org.uk/
- Discover over 900 years of history at Leeds Castle - https://www.moteparkadventure.com/
- Take on new adventures at Mote Park Outdoor Adventure - https://www.moteparkadventure.com/
Great for dogs in Maidstone
- Scotney Castle
- Harvel Hike
- Shorne Woods Country Park
Dog friendly bars
- Hook and Hatchet Inn
- Swan on the Green
- The Cock Inn
Dog friendly restaurants
- Baskerville's Coffee House
- Bill's Maidstone Restaurant
- Rockin Robin on the Green
Did you know?
John Dyke was publicly executed on Penenden Heath. The execution happened on Christmas Eve in the year 1830. It was found out that Dyke did not commit the crime as another man, on his deathbed, admitted that he was the one who did it.
On a lighter note, there was an interesting and amazing thing discovered at the site of Barclays Bank – a woolly mammoth’s tooth. The bank is located in Maidstone High Street.
The hidden gems of Maidstone
Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway is definitely one of the hidden gems in Maidstone. You can ride the small trains and have a good view of the town. It is a steam train set in the only desert in Britain.
Unique to Maidstone
Leeds Castle is often called Ladies’ Castle since there are numerous Queens of England who have lived in it. Some of these queens include the first wife of Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon, Edward III’s wife Philippa of Hainault, the two wives of Edward I: Margaret of France and Eleanor of Castile, and the spouse of Henry V Catherine de Valois.
