Pictures of Archbishops Palace

a Historic Building in the town of Maidstone, in the county of Kent

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About Archbishops Palace

Lying in a gorgeous scenic location beside the River Medway is the ancient Palace belonging to the Archbishop's of Canterbury, prior to Henry VIII's day. A great survival of the 14th century, the Archbishop's Palace is one of Maidstone's oldest buildings. It is built of Kentish Ragstone, known also as limey sandstone, a sedimentary rock which formed on the seabed of Maidstone millions of years ago, possibly as far back as when dinosaurs walked the earth.

Interestingly, the new door to the present-day Registry Office on the ground floor of the palace is made of shelly oolitic limestone, also of the Jurassic period, it came from Oxfordshire.

The well preserved palace still retains many of its original features, the Medieval great hall is particularly beautiful, this has exquisite wood panelling and elegant tapestry window dressings. A lovely stone fire-place and walls hung with original oil paintings give a timeless impression of the lavish lifestyle of the early princes of the church. This splendid hall, like many other rooms in the palace is let out for a variety of ceremonial occasions including weddings.

The sighting of the ancient palace, accessible by water makes it a highly desirable wedding venue, allowing the modern bride to arrive in romantic fashion by boat or river bus. The sweetly scented gardens surrounding the front of the palace makes the perfect spot to capture on camera memories of a very special day spent amongst the ambience of buildings that have fortunately managed to transcend the hand of time.

Visitors are welcome to tour any of the rooms not in use. Kent Garden Trust cares for the Apothecary's Garden, this can be enjoyed by members of the public on any Wednesday afternoon between May and August.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Archbishops Palace.

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Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Archbishops Palace

Allington Castle	(1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction N)	Pictures
Manor Country Park	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction W)	Pictures
Leeds Castle	(5.0 miles, 8.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
Coldrum Long Barrow	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Trosley Country Park	(7.5 miles, 12.1 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Rochester Cathedral	(7.8 miles, 12.6 km, direction N)	Pictures
Charles Dickens Chalet	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Restoration House	(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Rochester Castle	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction N)	Pictures
Historic Dockyard, Chatham	(8.6 miles, 13.8 km, direction N)	Pictures

All attractions in Kent
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Archbishops Palace

Leeds, in the county of Kent (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction E)
For a romantic day out and a trip into England's rich historic past you can do no better than visit the pastoral village of Leeds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Upchurch, in the county of Kent (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction NE)
This is an historic, interesting village which was once home to Edmund Drake, father of Sir Francis, who became vicar of the local church in 1560.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Meopham Green, in the county of Kent (9.6 miles, 15.5 km, direction NW)
This is an attractive Kentish village lying to the south of Gravesend. It is picked out by its Windmill of 1801, which has been lovingly restored back to its original working order and is now one of the best preserved in Kent.
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Plaxtol, in the county of Kent (9.8 miles, 15.8 km, direction W)
This is a picturesque Kentish village at the centre of the counties hop growing fields. It has interesting Oast houses and a concentration of charming brick built cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Brenchley, in the county of Kent (10.0 miles, 16.1 km, direction SW)
Brenchley is a beautiful "showpiece" village full of picturesque Tudor cottages, complimented by houses from the Regency and Victorian periods.
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Higham, in the county of Kent (10.3 miles, 16.5 km, direction N)
An interesting village situated between Gravesend and Rochester in Kent, with links to the author Charles Dickens, the notorious...
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Shipbourne, in the county of Kent (10.7 miles, 17.1 km, direction W)
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Tonbridge, in the county of Kent (11.8 miles, 19.0 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.
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Lynsted, in the county of Kent (11.9 miles, 19.2 km, direction E)
A charming, restful place in what is known as cherry-orchard country, and although the cherries are still here, arable farming has taken over much of the land.
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Cranbrook, in the county of Kent (12.0 miles, 19.4 km, direction S)
Cranbrook is an old rural town of numerous streets and alleys, all still true to their medieval layout.
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All towns in Kent
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

Maidstone West Station	(0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Maidstone Barracks Station	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
M20 Junction 7	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction NE)
M20 Junction 6	(2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction N)
London City Airport	(25.6 miles, 41.2 km, direction NW)
Lydd Airport	(28.7 miles, 46.2 km, direction SE)
Archbishops Palace to London	(32.5 miles, 52.2 km, direction NW)

Accommodation & Hotels near Archbishops Palace

Hotel Name
Stone Court	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
King Street Hotel	(0.4 miles, 0.7 km)
Oakwood House	(0.9 miles, 1.5 km)
Best Western Russell Hotel	(1.1 miles, 1.8 km, direction NE)
Village Hotel & Leisure Club Maidstone	(2.0 miles, 3.2 km, direction N)
The Black Horse Inn	(3.3 miles, 5.2 km, direction NE)
Detling Coach House	(3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction NE)
Ringlestone House	(3.9 miles, 6.2 km, direction SE)
Larkfield Priory Hotel	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction NW)
Ramada Hotel & Resort Maidstone	(4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction E)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts