Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, Maidstone has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in Maidstone.
Here you can find hotels in the area of Maidstone
Just type in your destination and get many different suggestions.
Sights in Maidstone
Situated in the South East of England, Maidstone is the county town of Kent. The town has a long and varied history, with evidence of human occupation dating back to the Bronze Age. The town has a number of architectural and historical landmarks, as well as a bustling town centre with a variety of shops and restaurants.
The River Medway runs through the centre of Maidstone, and the town has a number of bridges crossing the river. Maidstone Bridge is a Grade II listed structure, and was built in 1858. The town also has a number of parks and green spaces, such as Mote Park, which is the largest park in the town.
Maidstone Museum is located in the town centre, and contains a number of collections relating to the history and heritage of the town. The Museum of Kent Life is located just outside of the town centre, and is a living museum which tells the story of rural life in Kent.
There are a number of historic buildings and landmarks in Maidstone, such as Leeds Castle, which is a medieval castle located just outside of the town. Maidstone Castle is a Norman castle located in the centre of the town, and is now home to a number of local businesses.
The town centre of Maidstone is pedestrianised, and lined with a variety of shops and businesses. There is also a wide range of restaurants and cafes located in the town centre. Maidstone Market is held every Wednesday and Saturday, and sells a range of fresh produce, meats, cheeses and more.
Maidstone is served by a number of transport links, including Maidstone East railway station and Maidstone West railway station. The town is also located just off of the M20 motorway, making it easy to reach by road.
History of Maidstone
Maidstone is a town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. maidstone History is a town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. The River Medway runs through Maidstone and has been an important factor in the town’s development.
Maidstone’s name derives from the Old English mægd ‘maid, adolescent girl’ and stān ‘stone, rocky outcrop’, indicating that the area was inhabited by people from a very early time. The first reference to Maidstone is in the late 9th century, when the town was mentioned in the AngloSaxon Chronicle as being in the kingdom of Kent.
Mention of a market in Maidstone dates back to 1066, when it is thought that William the Conqueror granted a charter to the town. It was not until 1119 that another charter, this time confirming the town’s status as a borough, was issued by King Henry I.
In the 12th century, Maidstone was given its first royal charter by King Henry II, making it a free borough. This gave the townspeople certain rights and privileges, including the right to hold a market.
The town began to grow in the 13th century, and by the 14th century it was an important market town, with a thriving economy based on the woollen industry. The Bricking Festival, which was first held in 1349, commemorates the event when the people of Maidstone rose up against the king’s tax collectors.
Maidstone’s importance as a market town continued into the 15th and 16th centuries. It was during this time that many of the town’s timberframed buildings were constructed.
In 1549, the town was hit by a severe outbreak of the plague, which killed around one third of the population.
During the English Civil War, Maidstone was on the side of the Parliamentarians, and in 1648 the town was the site of the last major battle of the war, when General Fairfax defeated the Royalist army.
Maidstone continued to prosper in the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the early 20th century it was an important regional centre, with a population of around 40,000.
Today, Maidstone is a lively and vibrant town, with a rich history and a bright future.
Vacation in Maidstone
Maidstone is a town in Kent, England, on the River Medway. It is the county town of Kent and the principal settlement of the borough of Maidstone. Historically, Maidstone was an important centre for agriculture and brewing. The town is located some 30 miles (48 km) southeast of London, and 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the county town of Maidstone. Maidstone is twinned with several other towns and cities worldwide, including Rennes in France and Fulda in Germany. maidstone has been settled since before the Stone Age.
The Romans built a road through the town during their occupation, which was later used by the AngloSaxons. Maidstone Museum holds the largest collection of Roman pottery in Britain. The town’s name probably derives from the River Maidstone, which flows through it. It has been suggested that the name derives from the Celtic word mai meaning stone, or that it means Place of entrance to the wood. The stone abbreviation also appears on a number of Roman milestone remnants. Another theory is that the name derives from Maidens’ Stone, a large sarsen megalith on Blue Bell Hill, which was demolished in 1740. The area around Blue Bell Hill was formerly known as the New Forest. During the Norman Conquest, the town was given to William the Conqueror’s halfbrother Odo of Bayeux, who built a castle on the site of where Maidstone Museum now stands. Odo died in 1097, and his grandson, William Rufus, transferred the property to Maurice de Gant, who was granted a Royal Charter to hold a weekly market in the town.
In 1215, during the First Barons’ War, Maidstone was besieged and captured by the rebel barons, under the leadership of William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The castle was rebuilt by King Henry III in 1266, and a second castle was built at Leeds. From 1319, Maidstone was the seat of the Sheriff of Kent. In 1348, the Black Death reached Maidstone, and in 1455 the town was taken by the forces of Lady Margaret Beaufort during the Wars of the Roses.
During the reign of Elizabeth I, Maidstone was chosen as the site of an important trial of the Duke of Norfolk for treason, due to its distance from the court in London and its facilities for holding large numbers of prisoners. The town was greatly increased in size during the 18th century, due largely to the influence of architect Sir William Chambers, who built Maidstone Prison, the County Gaol, in 1780.
Maidstone’s coat of arms is two lions passant guardant on a red shield, with three water bougets in silver on the chief point. This coat of arms was granted to the town by Queen Elizabeth I in 1559. A newer, more modest coat of arms, which still incorporates the three water bougets, was granted to the borough by the College of Arms in 1951.
Maidstone is twinned with various towns and cities around the world, including:
Fulda, Hesse, Germany
Rennes, IlleetVilaine, Brittany, France
Viimsi, Harju County, Estonia
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
The town of Maidstone has a lot to offer tourists. There are a number of historical and heritage sites, as well as plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities.
Some of the historical and heritage sites include:
Maidstone Museum – This museum houses the largest collection of Roman pottery in Britain. There are also exhibits on the town’s history, from its time as a Roman settlement to the present day.
Mote Park – This park was once the home of a medieval castle. The castle was demolished in the 17th century, but the earthworks remain and are now a Grade I listed monument. The park is also home to a number of other historical features, including an Iron Age hillfort, a Roman villa, and a 12thcentury moated manor house.
All Saints’ Church – This church dates back to the 12th century, and contains a number of historical monuments, including a effigy of Sir Simon Burley, who served as tutor to King Edward III.
Maidstone Barracks – These barracks were built in 1761, and were used as a military barracks until 2007. They are now open to the public as a museum.
There are also a number of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed in Maidstone. These include:
walking and hiking – there are a number of designated walking and hiking trails in and around Maidstone, including the North Downs Way National Trail and the Kent Downs AONB
cycling – Maidstone is part of
Other vacation destinations in England:
