Maidstone Area Guide

Situated at the heart of Kent, Maidstone is a historic town on the River Medway. Once famous for its industrial prowess, today it boasts outstanding shopping facilities, peaceful parks, scenic cycling routes and an excellent choice of restaurants and nightlife venues. Property in Maidstone benefits from excellent transport links, making it the perfect place to call home.

Welcome to Maidstone

With its convenient location just 30 miles outside London, Maidstone is the largest town in Kent. It boasts big-name attractions that draw visitors from all over the UK, including Leeds Castle and Mote Park. There are plenty of retail and leisure facilities on offer too, including the Lockmeadow Centre where you’ll find a cinema, gym and swimming pool, a bowling alley and even a trampoline park.

Maidstone is made for families

Property in Maidstone is ideal for families who want to experience all the benefits of town and countryside. The area boasts some excellent schools, including Allington Primary, Loose Primary and Palace Wood Primary. There are plenty of highly-rated options for older kids too, including Oakwood Park Boys' Grammar, Maidstone Girls' Grammar and Invicta Grammar School for Girls. Mid Kent College and the University of Kent provide a selection of further and higher education courses.

Getting around in Maidstone

Maidstone has three railway stations – Maidstone Barricades, Maidstone East and Maidstone West. Maidstone East offers easy travel to London, with trains departing every hour for Victoria and journey times of just over 60 minutes. The town also lies just off the M20, providing access to destinations across the South East. Folkestone and the Eurotunnel entrance is just 40 minutes south along the motorway, while you can also follow it north to reach the M25.

A short history of Maidstone

Maidstone sprang up as an important town on the River Medway and is recorded in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as a centre for fishing and salt production. Its rural surroundings and warm climate meant it was well situated for agriculture, with the growing of fruit and hops particularly prominent. Today there are still several vineyards, wineries and apple orchards dotted around the countryside nearby.

Sports and Leisure in Maidstone

Maidstone has its own football team, Maidstone United, who play at the Gallager Stadium close to the River Medway. The nearby Tudor Park hotel and country club boasts an 18-hole golf course, while Maidstone Leisure Centre has several swimming pools, a kids’ soft play area and an impressive fitness suite.

Dining and Days Out in Maidstone

Perhaps the most famous attraction near Maidstone is Leeds Castle, sometimes described as the loveliest castle in the world. But property in Maidstone also benefits from access to several shopping malls, including the open-air Fremlin Walk just off the High Street, and top-rated restaurants, which include Artemis Greek restaurant, Buenos Aires Nights steakhouse and Mumu, which offers bottomless brunches and stylish cocktails.