Pictures of Maidstone

in the county of Kent

Maidstone Pictures Maidstone Hotels Nearby Towns Nearby Attractions Maidstone Facts Maidstone Forum Maidstone Map Sponsor Registration Add Pictures Add town to favourites

About Maidstone

Interestingly, there was a time when the most important factor about Maidstone was its 5 watermills which ground grain to flour. Needless to say, this was in in the 10th-century, when the village, as it was then, was owned by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Domesday Book recorded Maidstone as a village with a large population of 250 inhabitants. This too, is place where the first recorded trial in England was held - the site of which, Pendenen Heath, is now used for recreational purposes only.

The towns occupancy of a prime position on the Medway made it, from the Middle Ages, ideally suited as a natural Market Centre for fruit and vegetables to be gathered from surrounding towns and villages and transported to meet the demands of the city of London. This continues to this day.

In these days too, Maidstone had annual fairs as well as a weekly market. These events were so popular that people travelled from as far afield as London to attend a Maidstone Fair. The produce was always fresh and there was a diverse variety of goods on offer from the local craftsmen who worked in the town.

By the early 14th-century Maidstone had become a sizeble market town with an increasing population of around 2,000. In the year 1348 the horrors of the black death struck and the growing population was greatly diminished. Over the centuries Maidstone continued to suffer from spasmodic epedemics of decease with the final outbreak of plague being in 1666.

Cloth making and related industries flourished during the 16th-century when many refugees settled here following religious persecution in the Low countries. However, at the time of the civil war the town was secured by the parliamentarians. An uprising caused the Royalists to take control of the town but attack by the parliamentarians saw the royalist routed.

As the town increased in size, trade expanded and those that reaped rich rewards gave generously to both church and town and many beautiful buildings were built. The present Archbishops Palace dates from the 14th-century, it has though been altered and renovated several times. Close by this ancient building is the beautiful church of All Saints. It has a nave which spans over 90ft and building began in 1395. There is an attractive 14th-century bridge that spans the River Len in Mill Street, and the 15th-century Corpus Christi Hall is in Earl Street

During the 15th-century, one of the most powerful families in England, the Woodville family, made their home at Mote Park on the edge of the town. Anthony Woodville, Lord Rivers was patron of William Caxton the printer. Elizabeth, his sister married King Edward IV. This beautiful house was rebuilt in the 18th-century and today it is a home for the disabled and owned by the Cheshire charity.

The town museum and art gallery was once the home of another famous family. Chillington Manor was home to the Wyatts who also owned Allington Castle, built in the 13th-century on the edge of the town. It was restored several times and passed into the hands of the Carmelite order.

Maidstone continued to develop and thrive. In the 19th-century a corn exchange was in operation and other industries hit a boom time but throughout the centuries it is the rich farmlands and the production of fruit and vegetables, and later hops, that have remained central to the lifeblood of this delightful town.

A visit to Maidstone will provide you with not just an experience of the history of the town but it will give you all the opportunities of excellent shopping facilities in the most modern surroundings. A museum illustrates the rich history and life of the town throughout the ages, and the interesting inns and pubs will provide you with good food and fine wines, and of course a jolly pint or two brewed from local hops!

Planning a visit to Maidstone?
Please support the Pictures of England website by booking your Maidstone hotels & accommodation through this site.

Add town to favourites

History of Maidstone

Recommended towns & villages near Maidstone

	Brenchley (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction SW) Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods... Information | Pictures (8) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Tonbridge (12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction SW) Fine streets show a rich variety of architecture including typical Wealden tile-hung properties, and handsome Georgian and Victorian buildings dominating the river scene... Information | Pictures (29) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Pluckley (12.2 miles, 19.7 km, direction SE) The village, which is scrambled on a ridge above the scenic River Beult, is said to be the most haunted village in England... Information | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Cranbrook (12.3 miles, 19.9 km, direction S) Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout... Information | Pictures (6) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages
	Gravesend (13.2 miles, 21.3 km, direction NW) Attractive old town overlooking the Thames estuary with walkways and picnic sites ideal for watching the busy water traffic, for this stretch of the river is said to be one of the busiest in the world... Information | Pictures (208) | Hotels | Holiday Cottages

Recommended attractions near Maidstone

	Archbishops Palace (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) Lying in a gorgeous scenic location beside the River Medway is the ancient Palace belonging to the Archbishop's of Canterbury,..... Information | Pictures (9) | Hotels
	Allington Castle (1.3 miles, 2.1 km, direction NW) This small 13th century castle standing on the banks of the River Medway is now home to a group of Carmelite nuns. Historically,..... Information | Hotels
	Stoneacre (2.9 miles, 4.7 km, direction SE) 15th-century half-timbered yeoman's house and harmonious garden... Information | Pictures (7) | Hotels
	Manor Country Park (4.8 miles, 7.6 km, direction W) .. Information | Hotels
	Leeds Castle (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction E) Listed in the Domesday Book, this castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence for six of England's medieval queens, a..... Information | Pictures (295) | Hotels

Hotels & Accommodation in Maidstone

Maidstone Hotels  Maidstone Cottages  Maidstone Bed & Breakfast

	Innkeeper's Lodge Maidstone Maidstone, Kent, England (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) Set in a listed colonial-style building which was formerly an 18th-century army barracks, Innkeeper's Lodge Maidstone is just a 15-minute walk to Maidstone city centre, and features free private parki... More info and book online..  Price from £59.00
	King Street Hotel Maidstone, Kent, England (0.3 miles, 0.5 km) In the centre of Maidstone, within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, cinema and the train/bus stations, this is a friendly and comfortable family-run hotel.... More info and book online..  Price from £69.00
	Aylesbury House Maidstone, Kent, England (0.4 miles, 0.6 km) A short walk from the centre of Maidstone, this large, family-run Victorian guest house offers well-equipped bedrooms, free parking and a hearty breakfast every morning.... More info and book online..  Price from £69.00
	Grange Moor Hotel Maidstone, Kent, England (0.8 miles, 1.2 km) Grange Moor Hotel is set in a quiet location 0.6 miles from Maidstone town centre. With landscaped gardens it offers en suite rooms, a restaurant, and free parking.... More info and book online..  Price from £42.00
	Best Western Russell Hotel Maidstone, Kent, England (0.9 miles, 1.4 km) Set in an elegant Victorian building, the Best Western Russell Hotel is just 1 mile from Maidstone town centre. Within beautiful landscaped gardens, this hotel offers rooms with free Wi-Fi access and ... More info and book online..  Price from £53.00

Nearby travel help