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Leeds Castle - 8 miles
Chatham Historic Dockyard - 12 miles
Brattle Farm Museum - 10 miles
Chiselhurst Caves - 25 miles
Maidstone & Tyrwhitt Drake Museum of
Carriages - 4 miles

Tenterdon Vineyard - 14 miles
Doddington Place - 17 miles
Rochester Castle - 13 miles
Royal Tunbridge Wells - 15 miles
Whitbread Hop Farm - 8 miles

Maidstone is at the heart of the Garden of England and is the commercial heart and business capital of Kent. Ranked amongst the top shopping centres in the south east of England, Maidstone boasts more than one million square feet of retail floor space

Maidstone history
Maidstone and surrounding villages

Royal Tunbridge Wells is at the heart of one of the most scenic stretches of countryside in England and surrounded by the unspoilt beauty of the Weald. Royal Tunbridge Wells became famous with royalty and the aristocracy as a spa town in the 17th century and you can still sample the water from the original Chalybeate Spring.

See here for information about Tunbridge Wells

The name "Sevenoaks" originated from the Saxon word 'Seouenaca', a name given in about 800 AD to a small chapel near seven oaks in Knole Park. During the hurricane of 1987 six of these magnificent trees were blown down and Sevenoaks became "Oneoaks".

See here for information about Sevenoaks

Tonbridge is a small town with plenty of pubs, places to eat and a few hotels. The town is surrounded by the excellent Kentish countryside and villages. The town was once a market town but now there are general markets on both Saturdays and Sundays. The town was also famous for making cricket balls and equipment.

See here for information about Tonbridge

Rochester roots go back to Roman times, it has a fine Norman Castle, one of the oldest Cathedrals in England and an excellent example of a Victorian High Street. Rochester sits on the River Medway. The River continued to be important until modern times because of the Navel dockyard at nearby Chatham. Sir Francis Drake and Lord Nelson were among some of the sailors who learnt their trade in Chatham and HMS Victory was built there in 1765. In modern times the Short Sunderland flying boat was built on The Esplanade at Rochester and was a common sight on the river.

See here or here for information about Rochester

See here for Dartford Borough Council

At the heart of the Garden of England there are many ancient Kentish villages, each with a unique character and all within easy reach of Wynngarth Farmhouse.

The Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages has the finest state carriages originally owned by Royalty and titled families, the collection also holds several more mundane vehicles such as governess carts and gigs

Housed in Chillington Manor a jewel of an Elizabethan House, Among its many attractions is The Lambeth Bible Volume, Brenchley Gardens lie behind Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery

Award winning open air museum bringing you all the historical aspects of Kent life. With interactive exhibitions on Kent's lifestyle during the past 100 years. See here for information about The Museum of Kent Life

Yalding Organic Gardens near Maidstone tells the history of gardening in an imaginatively landscaped setting. Visitors travel through representations of ancient woodlands, medieval physic, knot and paradise gardens and a 19th century artisans plot, borders inspired by Gertrude Jekyll's ideas, before reaching a 1950s 'Dig for Victory' Allotment. The remainder of the garden is devoted to the vision of the 'organic' future of horticulture.

See here for information about Yalding Organic Gardens

There are a number of sports centres available in Maidstone offering all manner of recreational activities. The Maidstone Leisure Centre, The Westborough Sports Centre And The YMCA Sports Centre - The `Y' Centre

The Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone forms part of the Corn Exchange Complex, shows include drama, music, mainstream and alternative comedy, ballet, opera and children's drama including a traditional Christmas pantomime

Available in Maidstone's Mote Park

Available in Maidstone's Mote Park

Cobtree Manor Park Golf Course. Recently remodelled the 18 hole pay and play golf course presents a challenge for beginner and expert

	Leeds Castle has been described as the most beautiful castle in the world.
Built on two lakes in 500 acres of landscaped parkland, it has been a royal site since the 9th Century. There is a wealth of attractions including a 17th Century restaurant. Click here for more information.

The Kent countryside is rich with many other fine castles and houses within easy reach including:

• Allington Castle (more information)
• Boughton Monchelsea Place (more information)
• Stoneacre, Otham
• Tyland Barn, Sandling
• Scotney Castle Garden
• Sissinghurst
• Penshurst Place
• Hever Castle

• Blue Bell Hill Picnic Site
• Brattle Farm Museum, Staplehurst
• Headcorn Vineyard, Headcorn
• Iden Croft Herbs, Staplehurst
• Kent Garden Costume Dolls And Country Wines, Leeds
• Teston Bridge Picnic Site
• Vinters Valley Nature Reserve, Vinters Park, Maidstone
• Whitbread Hop Farm, Beltring
• Yalding Organic Gardens, Yalding
• St. Augustine's Cross, Marking of the site of landing by St. Augustine in AD 597

Local Railways:

• East Kent Railway
• Kent & East Sussex Railway Co.
• Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Light Railway Co.
• Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway