Maidstone
Maidstone is the county town of Kent, England and lies 32 miles south-east of London. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town linking Maidstone to Rochester and the Thames Estuary. The town is within the borough of Maidstone and in 2001 had a population of 75,000.
Historically, the River Medway was responsible for Maidstone’s growth and expansion because of its capability to carry much of the town's trade. Maidstone had many small breweries at the end of the last century and the river was useful for transport and water for the beer production. In 1899 the Style & Winch Brewery were housed in the Medway Brewery on the banks of the Medway and in the mid 1950's was Kent's second largest brewery with over 600 public houses. It merged with Courage Barclay in 1956, closed down in 1965 and was demolished in 1976. Sadly, the hop-fields of Kent have diminished over the years as lager beer has become more popular and German hops are bought in.
Built in 1119 by Robert de Crevecoeur to replace the earlier Saxon manor of Esledes, Leeds Castle became a royal palace for King Edward I of England and his queen Eleanor of Castile in 1278. Major improvements were made during his time, including the Barbican, made up of three parts each with its own entrance, drawbridge, gateway, and portcullis. The medieval keep is called the 'Gloriette' in honour of Queen Eleanor. The castle and its grounds are now an important leisure destination in the county of Kent, and visitors are transported through 900 years of the castle’s history, an eclectic mix of period architecture, sumptuous interiors and family treasures. As well as black swans, peacocks and birds of prey, the grounds also house internationally renowned aviaries offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of modern conservation and captive breeding programmes. Not just a museum, Leeds Castle is a place where people meet and special events such as conferences, meetings, weddings and banquets bring the grounds to life.
The Maidstone Millennium River Park, opened in 2001, and located along the bank of the River Medway was created by the people of Maidstone with support from the Millennium Commission, and includes 10km of easily accessible paths. The park is unique with both its rural character and urban ambience as it passes through the town centre. Whatman Park, a brand new recreational area, boasts a variety of special features including treetop walks, nature trail, adventure playground, skateboard park and Riverstage arena for outside entertainment. There are River boat trips available too.
Maidstone is also the venue for an exciting evening out, with its vibrant mix of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The Hazlitt Theatre and The Exchange offer a varied programme from contemporary drama, music, mainstream and alternative comedy, ballet, opera and children's drama, including a traditional pantomime. With a thriving town centre and surrounded by glorious Kentish countryside, Maidstone has a wealth of attractions offering the perfect mix of history, culture, leisure and entertainment.
info@maidstone.com
This site and domain are not affiliated with or owned by any government or municipal authority.
©2008 Maidstone.Com - To advertise on this website contact us on +44(0)7939 588833
Disclaimer: Domain owner maintains no relationship with third party advertisers. Reference to any specific
service or trademark is not controlled by domain owner and does not constitute or imply its association, endorsement or recommendation.An England.net site