Maidstone Pocket Guide

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The Friars

Englands rst Carmelite priory built in 1242 and restored in 1949by Carmelite monks. The medieval buildings are surroundedby tranquil riverside gardens. Free wheelchair access toall areas.

Open dawn to dusk. Tea rooms and shop, pottery and upholstery workshops.Summer 10.00 - 17.00, winter 10.00 16.00.

01622 717272Aylesord near Maidstone

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum

Aviation exhibits rom 1911 to present day and wartimememorabilia, including a V1 piloted fying bomb.

Open Easter - end October, open Sundays and bank holidays 10.30 - 18.00.

November - Easter, Sunday 10.30 - 15.30.01622 890226Headcorn Aerodrome, Headcorn

Leeds CastleSurrounded by 500 acres o landscaped parkland andgardens, this romantic castle set on two islands in the middleo a lake is described as the loveliest castle in the world.The grounds eature an aviary, maze, cottage garden andMediterranean garden and several places to eat. Specialevents held throughout the year.

Open daily April - September 10.00 - 17.00 (Last admission 17.00).October - March 10.00 - 15.00 (Last admission 15.00).

01622 765400Leeds, near Maidstone

history and heritage

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www.tour-maidstone.com

All Saints Church

Described as the grandest perpendicular church in England,

this ascinating church with its memorial to the Washingtonamily dates rom the 14th century.

Open May to September, Tuesday - Thursday 10.00 - 16.00,Saturday 10.00 - 12.30.

01622 843298Mill Street, Maidstone

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Maidstone Carriage MuseumHoused in the medieval stables o the Archbishops Palace,the wonderul Tyrwhitt-Drake collection o carriages andtransport curiosities is unique in Britain. The collection is widelyregarded as the best in Europe with some o the nest statecarriages originally owned by Royalty and titled amilies.Free admission.

Open 1st May - 31st August, Wednesday - Sunday plus bank holidays12.00 - 16.00, please call.

01622 602838Mill Street, Maidstone

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Stoneacre

Idyllic hal-timbered 15th century yeomans house, with centralhall, urnished in period style. Romantic cottage garden withlarge collection o unusal plants.

Owned by the National Trust and open to the public Saturdays only11.00 - 17.30 (last admission 16.30) rom mid March - early October.

01892 893842Otham near Maidstone

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Kent LifeLocated near the boat landing at Allington Lock, Kentspremier heritage arm attraction portrays rural lie in Kent overthe past 100 years. With 28 acres o un including improvedamily activities, exciting new indoor and outdoor playareas, traditional breeds, discovery trails and a hands-oncuddle corner.

Open early April - early November, daily 10.00 - 17.30(16.30 last admission).

01622 763936Lock Lane, Sandling

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Maidstone Museum andBentliff Art Gallery

With its Earth Heritage Gallery eaturing dinosaurs and naturalhistory, Maidstone Museum is a must-see. The museumshows art and arteacts rom around the world which will

educate and intrigue. The Bentli Art Gallery stages a variedprogramme o contemporary exhibits, while the museumoers an imaginative programme o childrens crats andactivities. Coee/git shop/ree admission.

Open Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 17.15, Sunday 11.00 - 16.00.

01622 602838St Faiths Street, Maidstone

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Yalding Organic CentreSixteen individual gardens take the visitor through gardeninghistory including the Cottagers Garden, a knot garden,herbaceous borders and a wildlie haven. Wheelchair access.Local produce arm shop and ca.

Open April - October, daily 09.00 - 18.00. November - March,Monday - Saturday 09.00 - 17.00, Sunday 09.00 - 16.00.

01622 814650Benover Road, Yalding

Iden Croft Herb Garden

Herb gardens and a 15th Century walled garden. Collectionsinclude National Oreganum and Mentham aromatic wildfowers and bee/butterfy plants. Wheelchair access. Plant gitshop/tea room.

Open March - September, 09.00 - 17.00, Sundays and bank holidays11.00 - 17.00. October and November Monday - Friday 10.00 - 16.00.

01580 891432Frittenden Road, Staplehurst

Brenchley Gardens

Situated in the town centre, it provides an oasis o calm incontrast to the bustling shopping streets. The Victorianbandstand is the venue or Sunday aternoon concerts duringthe summer.

Open all year.

01622 602747St. Faiths Street, Maidstone

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gardens


Fremlin Walk

This stylish, open air shopping development is built on theriverside site o a Victorian brewery. Here you can nd thelatest trends, luxury brands or gits, with 50 stores selling arange o ashion goods and 800 parking spaces with easyaccess or disabled people.

01622 356580

Royal Star ArcadeOriginally an old coaching inn, the Royal Star Arcade hasbeen transormed into an attractive shopping centre or avariety o ashion outlets housed under one roo.

01622 690395

The Mall, Chequers

The Mall is a popular shopping centre located in the centre otown. It contains many o the high street shops and eateries.Facilities include car parking and shopmobility.

01622 690395

One of the best retail centres in the south eastof England.

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Maidstone

Attractions

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All Saints Church

Bredgar & Wormshill

Light Railway

Cobtree Manor Park

The Friars, Aylesford

Yalding Organic Centre

The Hop Farm Family Park

Iden Croft Herb Garden

Larkfield Leisure Centre

Lashenden Air Warfare Museum

Leeds Castle

Maidstone Carriage Museum

Maidstone Leisure Centre

Maidstone Museum

& Bentlif Art Gallery

Mote Park

Kent Life

River Trips

Stoneacre

Teapot Island

Maidstone Town Hall

Visitor Information Centre

Attractions Key

For details of all these

attractions, click on


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Go Ape

Buckmore Park Kart Curcuit

Renaissance Crafts

AMF Bowling


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Maidstone Leisure Centre

One o the best equipped leisure centres in the south east,with our swimming pools and two water slides. There is an

exciting indoor adventure play area or the children as well asa ull tness suite.

0845 155 2277Willow Way, Maidstone

AMF Bowling

This bowling alley also has pool tables, arcade games andsnackbar. Also glow in the dark bowling with party music sixnights a week.

0844 826 3023King Street, Maidstone

Hazlitt Arts Centre

The Exchange and Hazlitt Theatre oer a varied programmerom the contemporary drama, music, mainstream andalternative comedy, ballet, opera and childrens dramaincluding a traditional Christmas pantomime.

01622 758611Earl Street, Maidstone

Go Ape

An award-winning high wire orest adventure course o ropebridges, tarzan swings and zip slides... all set high up in thetree tops. Providing a un day out with riends, amilies or

colleagues, youll be tted with a climbing harness and giveninstruction beore trekking rom tree to tree high above theorest foor.

0845 643 9215Leeds Castle, near Maidstone

As the vibrant County Town, Maidstone enjoys athriving entertainment scene and facilities for a widerange of sports and interests and the surrounding areahas no shortage of gardens waiting to be explored!

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leisure and culture


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Maidstone Millenium River Park

Stroll along the well maintained riverside path or six milesbetween Allington and Teston, enjoying the natural tranquilityso close to the town centre.

Mote Park

An attractive 500 acre landscaped park near the town centre,surrounding a picturesque lake. Walking and cycling trails,mini gol, childrens play area and ca.

Teston Country Park

Three meadows nestling beside the River Medway. This is anideal location to watch the boats cruising or to sh. Picnicarea, childrens play area and car parking.

Lying at the heart of the rolling Kent countryside,Maidstones varied rural landscapes are a delightto explore, and provide a contrast to the hustle andbustle of the town centre.

countryside and parks


North Downs Way

The North Downs Way is a well established National Trail whichstretches along the ridge o the North Downs rom Dover to

Surrey. Passing through the Kent Downs Area o OutstandingBeauty near Maidstone, with panoramic views.


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Renaissance Crafts

Family run pottery painting studio and art gallery wherepottery painting is un and suitable or all ages and abilities.Make an original git in a relaxing cae-style setting.

01622 750467Starnes Court, Union Street, Maidstone

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leisure and culture

Kent Wildlfe Trust Visitor Centre

Set in a wonderully restored 17th Century barn, which houses

a large exhibition o wildlie and conservation. Also visit thedemonstration nature park and education centre. Wheelchairaccess. Ca and git shop.

Open Monday - Friday 10.00 - 17.00, Saturday - Sunday 11.00 - 16.00 (exceptDecember 23 - January 23).

01622 662012Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone

Lockmeadow Entertainment ComplexThis exciting entertainment centre oers an 8-screen multiplex,a nightclub, bars, restaurants and gym and is home to theMaidstone Market.

01622 764410Barker Road, Maidstone

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Riverboat RidesEnjoy a relaxing trip down the River Medway, through theMaidstone Millenium River Park to Allington Lock on either othese scheduled boat services.

01622 753740 01622 661064Kentish Lady Allington Belle

Buckmore Park Karting Circuit

Nestling within picturesque Kentish woodland, this is a superb1200m international outdoor kart circuit catering or sports,corporate and hire-kart drivers aged 4 to 84 years. Establishedin 1963, acilities include the biggest feet o hire-karts inthe country.

01634 661606Blue Bell Hill, near Maidstone

Teapot Island

This amazing exhibition has over 3,500 teapots, each with itsown unique history. There is a wonderul array o colours anddesigns and even a signature teapot representing TeapotIsland. Ater admiring the teapot display, visitors can enjoy acream tea, lunch or dinner in the riverside cae.

Open April - September, Monday - Friday 10.00 - 16.00, Saturday, Sunday andbank holidays 09.00 - 17.00.

01622 814541Yalding, near Maidstone

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Boughton Monchelsea

Boughton Monchelsea lies on a ridge overlooking the Wealdo Kent. St Peters Church dates rom the 13th Century and itsmedieval lynchgate is one o the oldest in England. Inside thechurch you will nd a modern stained glass nativity scene bylocal artist Graham Clarke.

Headcorn

The charms o this ancient Wealden village are refected inthe neatly kept medieval cottages and high street, whichcunningly conceal a selection o shops and eateries to cateror any need.

Sutton Valence

The ruins o Sutton Valence castle lie on the southern slope othe hill, built by the Norman nobleman William de Valence,hal brother to Henry III. The village has beautiul views overthe countryside and welcoming inns.


Lenham

This large village close to the North Downs is an excellentlocation or exploring the countryside. The square is theocal point o the village surrounded by medieval houses,restaurants, antique shops and pubs.

Yalding

Three rivers, the Beult, Teise and Medway converge here in thispicturesque village surrounded by orchards and oasts andthe amed Organic Gardens. A visit to Teapot Island is greatun, to see their collection o novelty teapots.

villages

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