Maidstone: The county town of Kent, astride its ancient river

Maidstone sits at the heart of Kent where the River Medway cuts its widest valley, and the town's long history as the county's administrative capital has left a concentrated inheritance of medieval buildings along the riverside. The All Saints' Church, the former College of All Saints and the Archbishop's Palace — arranged together by the Medway's edge — form one of the most complete medieval ecclesiastical complexes to survive in the south of England.

Surrounded by the orchards and hop gardens that made Kent famous — the Garden of England — Maidstone commands a rich agricultural hinterland that still supplies some of the finest fruit and vegetables in the country. The town combines this rural prosperity with a substantial urban character, making it one of the more layered and interesting county towns in the south-east.

Heritage & History

The Archbishop's Palace, built in the fourteenth century as a resting place for the Archbishops of Canterbury travelling between London and their seat, stands beside the Medway in remarkable condition. All Saints' Church adjoins it — a fine Perpendicular Gothic building of considerable scale. Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery, housed in an Elizabethan manor house, holds Egyptian antiquities, Japanese decorative arts, and collections of local history. The town was also a significant centre during the Civil War, having been the scene of the Battle of Maidstone in 1648.

What to See & Do

• Archbishop's Palace — A fourteenth-century palace on the Medway riverbank, one of the best-preserved medieval archiepiscopal residences in England.
• All Saints' Church — A large and handsome Perpendicular Gothic church adjacent to the Palace, with fine medieval craftsmanship throughout.
• Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery — An Elizabethan manor house containing surprisingly rich collections of Egyptian artefacts, Japanese art and local history.
• Leeds Castle — Set on two islands in a lake five miles east of Maidstone, Leeds Castle is one of the most photographed historic houses in England — the surrounding parkland is open to visitors.
• The Medway Riverside — The pedestrianised riverside walk beside the Medway offers pleasant views of the medieval buildings and the opportunity to watch river traffic from close quarters.

Food & Drink

Maidstone's market-town heritage sustains a weekly street market and a variety of independent food traders. The surrounding Kentish countryside supplies excellent seasonal produce — apples, cherries, asparagus and hops — and the town's pubs and restaurants reflect this agricultural bounty.

Parks & Outdoors

The Medway Valley Walk follows the river through parkland and water-meadows accessible from the town centre. The North Downs rise sharply to the north and provide excellent walking along their chalk escarpment, with broad views over the Weald. Leeds Castle and its surrounding parkland offer some of the most scenically beautiful walking in the county.

Events & Culture

Maidstone has a lively theatre scene anchored by the Hazlitt Theatre, which presents a varied programme of touring productions and local performance. The town hosts a number of well-attended annual events, and its position as county town keeps a steady flow of cultural and civic activity through the year.

Practical Tips

Leeds Castle, just east of the town, is best visited on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds — and its grounds alone repay a long walk even without entering the castle. The Medway riverside is most atmospheric on a clear morning. Maidstone's weekly market gives the town centre a distinct, bustling energy on market days.

Your Questions