... Maidstone used to be quite an industrial area using the River Medway as transport for its goods from factories like Fremlins for brewing and Sharps (taken over by Trebor Basset) as well as paper making and a local market. This soon faded out with the demand for service industries and tourism ... Read review
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Advantages: (+) Good shops, green parkland available, places to go for days out Disadvantages: (-) Traffic congestion like most towns
...centre on any land possible. Maidstone used to be quite an industrial area using the River Medway as transport for its goods from factories like Fremlins for brewing and Sharps (taken over by Trebor Basset) as well as paper making and a local market. This soon faded out with the demand for service industries and tourism becoming more prominent than ever before. It has a current population of almost 139,000.
*****Accessibility***** ...There are various areas around Maidstone for shopping. The council is currently using the slogan, 'Great to Visit, Great to shop' with its recent development of the Fremlins walk and the change in management of the Chequers Centre over to The Mall company. I wont be able to list all the shops we have but I'll give it a go and give you an overview for you to judge what is available.
----------------Week Street----------------
... more
Just thought I'd tell you a little more about my home town where I have lived since I was born…
(Street maps etc can be found on www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk or www.tour-maidstone.co.uk and for more generalised maps try www.multimap.co.uk)
*****Location and History *****
It is located in the South East in Kent, aka 'The Garden of England'. Mainly known for its green fields, farming and hop production. Things have changed now with the increase in technology and demand for housing in the South East with housing developments being built left, right and centre on any land possible. Maidstone used to be quite an industrial area using the River Medway as transport for its goods from factories like Fremlins for brewing and Sharps (taken over by Trebor Basset) as well as paper making and a local market. This soon faded out with the demand for service industries and tourism becoming more prominent than ever before. It has a current population of almost 139,000.
*****Accessibility*****
Access from the M20, National Express or general bus services. Also has three train stations, two main ones, cycle routes into the town and full pedestrian access. Overall generally really good rush hour the one-way system takes a while, but that's kind of expected!
*****Shops*****
There are various areas around Maidstone for shopping. The council is currently using the slogan, 'Great to Visit, Great to shop' with its recent development of the Fremlins walk and the change in management of the Chequers Centre over to The Mall company. I wont be able to list all the shops we have but I'll give it a go and give you an overview for you to judge what is available.
----------------Week Street----------------
This is sort of the 'High Street', which leads to all areas. Sadly this area was declining after some main shops moved in to the Fremlins complex, shifting slightly the core of the area. Shops include; phone shops, pound shops, HSBC, Bradford and Bingley, Millets, Woolworths, C&H Fabrics, Marks and Spenser's, Blue Inc, Dorothy Perkins, Burton, River Island, Sussex Stationary, BW1, Superdrug, Primark, Maplains, Blockbuster, Mad House, Clarks, Thornton's, MotherCare, Thomson, Monson, Accessorize and Argos.
----------------High Street/ Bank Street/ Gabriel's Hill----------------
The majority of this area is taxi and buses only with pedestrian crossings at various points.
Shops include; Natwest, Nationwide, Abbey National, Portland Building Society, Britannia Building Society, Claire's Accessories, individual jewellery shops, Somerfields, Café Nero, Coffee Romba, Blacks, Hubble & Freeman, Bridal shops, kitchen and interior design shops, music shop, art/gallery shop, Past Times, QS, Argos, Post Office, Evans, Golden Boot and Lush.
----------------Fremlins Walk----------------
The new shopping development that opened in May 2005 has a wide range of shops mainly aimed at the younger market to ensure that locals shop here and not elsewhere like Bluewater or the Ashford Retail Outlet. The only toilets available in Fremlins are four cubicles hiding at the back of House of Fraser.
Shops include: House of Fraser, USC, Thomas Cook, HMV, Shoe Express, Body Shop, Waterstones, H&M, Topshop, Topman, principles, JJB Sports, Jane Norman, Hotel Chocolat, Next, Goldsmiths, Ernest Jones, Fraser Heart, Beaverbrooks, Suits 4 U, Orange, Schuh, Early Learning Center, Clintons cards, Pumpkin Patch, Claire's Accessories, Boros, Republic, Wallis, Zara, Barrats, Faith, Fluke, Qube, Boots, La Sensa, Build A Bear, Timpsons, JD Sports, Thomas Cook and Oasis. All areas are level and part of each side is a covered walk way, some benches and a courtyard area leading to the museum. Open till six on a Saturday
This is the main and traditional shopping centre with the bus station attached, it is on three levels, close by is a large Sainsbury's. Toilets are available here which are cleaned regularly. This has recently been taken over by the Mall Company who has been helping to improve the area.
Shops here include; Boots, BHS, Miss Selfridges, Next, Bay Trading Co, New Look, Holland and Barrett, H Samuels, Hawkins Bazaar, Superdrug, Formative Fun, Morgan, Peacocks, Curry's, Wilkinsons, Mark One, Gamley's Toy store, Going Places, First Choice, Adams, Bon Marche, Clinton's Cards, Jessops, Iceland, Officers Club, TJ Hughes, Warren Jones.
www.themall.co.uk
----------------The Royal Star Arcade----------------
This area is for more specialist shops at the higher end of the market. There is an indoor area which leads to an outside cobbled walk way. For example; gift shops, shoe shops, women's and men's clothing, bridal shop, artwork shop, interior design shop, hairdressers.
----------------Union Street----------------
This would be classed as the zone of decay and the shops here include; nail bars, hairdressers, take aways, dress agency, tile shop, electronics shop and sandwich bar.
----------------St Peters St (and One-Way System)----------------
This area is slightly out of the centre and is located in the outer core region. This area has its own car parking facilities. This includes; Matalan, Lidl, Karen Millen Outlet, (in the Broadway Centre which has free car park for two hours) Hobby Craft, T-K Max (share a free car park) Fabric Warehouse and Lincon Pine Warehouse (share a small free car park) and Wikes Extra (is massive in side and has ample free parking). Development is currently happening here.
Thursday night is late night shopping till 8pm.
*****Entertainment*****
The nightlife includes the following bars, restaurants and clubs, overall I gather there is quite a good range to suit most peoples tastes. There is also an Odeon cinema and Gala Bingo.
Society Rooms and Muggleton Inn which are Wetherspoons, Strawberry Moons, River bar, Chicargo Rock Cafe, Ikon, Jumpin Jacks, Hot Shots, Source bar with a DJ and live music, The Loft which is dance music and changes to Subs on a Friday for indie music and various other bars and pubs on the way to the main clubs at Lockmeadow.
*****Restaurants*****
Places to eat include; Zizzi's, Azzuro, Prezzo, Nandos, Pizza Express, Mexxa Mexxa, La Tasca, Frankie and Benny's, Old Orleans, Flames Chinese and Flaming Henry's.
Fast food: McDonald's x 2, Pizza Hut x 2, Subways x 2, Burger King, KFC, Wimpy and various kebab shops.
*****Park/Open Spaces*****
----------------Mote Park----------------
This houses 450 acres of mature parkland with a 30-acre lake that is fantastic for feeding the ducks. It also provides a wide range of activities including Pitch and Putt (18 holes), children's play area which has recently been re-designed with skateboarding facilities too, horse riding (with a permit only), miniature railway on Sunday afternoons 2.30-5.30pm March till Nov, run by the local steam railway society which charges 20p a ride, a café and toilets. Car parking is available.
----------------Whatman Park/Millennium River Walk----------------
Parking here is extremely limited. It is landscape park land with toilets, benches, walk ways, lighting, three footbridges, young children's play area, children's play area, sculpture, skateboard park, bandstand for regular council events like fireworks and proms in the park. It is part of a 10km river walk along the towpath. There are also river boat trips from here and the waters of the Medway are used by the rowing and canoeing clubs regularly.
----------------Brenchley Park----------------
This is a smaller green area with a band stand for events but used less likely now that Whatman is open, toilets are available, there are many benches, trees and flower beds regularly kept by the council, ideal secluded area to go for your lunch break in the fresh air.
*****Cleanliness*****
All areas are regularly maintained, mainly by the council. Maidstone also has released various cleaning campaigns, 'Maidstone Matters', as well as introducing a 75GBP fine for dropping litter, chewing gum or cigarettes. There are many bins located along the main shopping areas to ensure Maidstone tries to improve its environment and image.
*****Things To Do*****
----------------Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery----------------
This is housed in an Elizabethan manor and is great for school projects with varying exhibitions on show. These range from dolls houses, Egyptian mummies, art work, animals, dinosaurs, Japanese, Victorian clothing and many more. There is also a café and gift shop and admission is free.
----------------Millennium River Walk----------------
As Above.
----------------Town Hall Tour----------------
Available from the Tourist Information found in the Town Hall first Tuesday of each month. Entry is free. My brother and his friend stayed in the jail cell up there for a sponsored scout event and the mayor and secretary were really helpful and friendly to arrange the whole thing around their meetings etc. It's worth a look!
----------------Carriage Museum----------------
This is situated in the 14th century stables of the Archbishops' Palace, housing a unique collection of horse-drawn vehicles, including Royal and state carriages and is known as 'the finest collection in Europe.' Entry is free.
----------------River Cruise----------------
The Kentish Lady is available for pick ups/drop offs from three points along the Medway, 3GBP return for an adult and 1GBP per child return.
www.kentishlady.co.uk
----------------Market----------------
A Tuesday and Saturday morning markets are held at the Lockmeadow complex with a range of products on sale including fresh fruit and vegetables.
----------------Leeds Castle----------------
500 acres of parkland with a castle built in AD 857 and moat which used to be Henry VIII as well as an aviary of over 100 species of endangered birds, a maze and grotto, a dog collar museum (a bit random), gift shop, and café. I really love it here and would recommend it to anyone. It is quite pricey but there is something for everyone. Children's activities are organised in school holidays etc. they annually have wine and a vintage cars/ balloon festival as well as various concerts like Elton Johnand Simply Red and Proms in the Park. We used to have annual membership here and was lovely just for an afternoon out so the membership didn't seem as bad. (Couldn't find prices I'm afraid but they are often changing the membership options and pricing!) car parking is free, golf buggies and shuttle bus are provided for those not wishing to walk through the gardens to the castle.
*****Location*****
7 miles east of Maidstone, Junction 8 of the M20 motorway just 1¼ hours from London, 30 minutes from the Channel Tunnel and Channel Ports.
*****Price****
*Admission to Castle, Gardens and Attractions* Adults: £13.50 Senior Citizens & Students: £11.00 Children (4-15): £9.00 Friends of Leeds Castle membership from: £35.00 ( So three entries and your annual membership is paid off)
www.leeds-castle.co.uk
----------------Museum of Rural Kent Life----------------
This is a museum set a side for illustrating the lives of those who lived and worked in the 'Garden of England'. There are many interactive displays, workshhets, quizzes and activities for children including traditional craft activities including; stained glass, pottery, farm animal talks, 1940's cookery, beekeeping, art and blacksmith demonstrations. I remember making hand made candles here form the beeswax when I was little! As well as visiting the old hop pickers huts where families would move down to Kent from London as a holiday to pick hops. School and group trips are often arranged (3GBP per child for this arrangement).
*****Location*****
5 minutes by car from Junction 6 on the M20.
*****Prices*****
Adults - £7.00 Seniors - £5.50 Children 3-13 years - £5.00 Under 3 years - FREE OF CHARGE Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) - £20.00
www.museum-kentlife.co.uk
*****Overall*****
Maidstone does have a wide range of facilities from shops, parks and family days out. I love living here, one hour from London but not the hustle and bustle a few minutes walk and you can find some green space somewhere!
I hope I have given you an incite into what is available in my home town and that you may visit one day to learn a little bit about what used to go on in Maidstone or to do some Christmas shopping!
Advantages: Plenty to do Disadvantages: No football stadium yet
...I chose to move to Maidstone in 1978 when I purchased my first house with my then fiancé having scouted around the outer London area, from Basildon, Crawley and Canvey Island. We decided on Maidstone because it has excellent rail and road links into central London which was of major importance in those days as we both worked up there. Maidstone still has excellent links with London and the rest of the country's motorway network, although it has missed ... ...further down the county.
Maidstone Itself
Maidstone is the county town and the administrative centre of Kent. Tourists visit Canterbury, the former county town, but for business it is Maidstone that provides the jobs. Kent County Council offices are in the town and it is the biggest local authority outside of Greater London, or so I have been told. There is a largish open space with a large pub called Penenden Heath. Play area for kids, football ...
orlando 31.12.2003 (27.11.2006)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Maidstone in General
Advantages: A practical, pleasant and prosperous town Disadvantages: But short on character and maybe even charm
...or indeed very attractive. Maidstone is a practical and prosperous town. Although a community in its own right, not just a commuter dormitory, it is conveniently close to London. It is also convenient for reaching the continent. It offers copious, if rather unoriginal, opportunities for shopping and entertainment. There is some attractive countryside nearby. It stands at the heart of a varied and interesting county. Perhaps long familiarity has bred ... ...* History *
Maidstone is indeed historic in that there has been a settlement here since Roman times, but not in having been the scene of any decisive battles, treaties or world-shaking events. Its main claim to historic fame was as the epicentre of Sir Thomas Wyatt's anti-Catholic uprising of 1554, which was rapidly suppressed by Queen Mary, with the result that Maidstone was deprived of its status as Kent's county town until Queen Elizabeth 1's ...
torr 29.11.2003 (28.01.2007)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Maidstone in General
Advantages: A large place - Lots of shops. Disadvantages: A large place - Hard to find your way around if you are not use to it.
...are probably 350 shops in Maidstone if not more. The Chequers Centre itself, (The huge shopping centre in the middle of Maidstone) more than likely holds more than half of that total.
‘Shopping Roads’
----------------------------------------
What do I mean by shopping roads? Well, in Maidstone, a lot of shops are all packed together in a street, i.e. Week Street, which is a non-traffic road (except for goods delivery), for pedestrians ... ...one of the busiest in Maidstone town centre. It has a large range of different shops that could help you with everyday items like Cameras, (if you are into that sort of stuff!). Yes, there is Jessops - Camera shop, Argos - Miscellaneous and many other shops.
The Bank.
Many people argue about whether the Natwest bank is in King Street, or High Street. Those two streets are joined on to each other and if you didn’t know already, you wouldn’t ...
Iggglybufff 13.02.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Maidstone in General
Advantages: Fantastic historical castle, extensive grounds, maze and grotto, suitable for all ages Disadvantages: Can be busy in summer
Looking for something to do over the Easter weekend? Something which is still open to the public despite the foot and mouth restrictions? Suitable for the whole family, combining history, the outdoors, education, fun and also somewhat reminiscent of a fairy tale? If so, then Leeds Castle is certainly the place to come. Once again, this is an attraction which the Ciao team didn’t feel deserved its own category (I was advised to post it under ... ...op will explain why.
Situated in the Kent countryside, a few miles from Maidstone, and only just over an hour from London, it’s very easy to get to. You could even leave the car at home for the day, as it’s possible to buy a combined ticket which includes either coach or rail travel. The regular admission price for an adult is £10, students £8.50 and children £6.50. You can also buy a family ticket for £29. This might seem a little on ...
weebagpuss 10.04.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Maidstone in General
Advantages: County Town of Kent, Historical Value Disadvantages: Very much under used potential
...Town. Shopping in Maidstone is fine as long as you are happy to browse the run of the mill shops found in most town centres. The main shopping street is a pedestrianised area in which you will find Littlewoods, M & S, and Maidstones only Department Store, Army and Navy, amongst other shops. The High Street has Argos and Jessops and the added 'feature' of nearly getting run over by lunatic cabbies and bus drivers as you cross the road.
The main shopping ... ...unfair in my description of Maidstone so far. It does have some good features such as the newly built Lockmeadow Complex which houses a cinema, nightclubs and a couple of restaurants. There is also a bowling centre and two Museums which do have some very interesting exhibitions and artifacts to view. Public transport is frequent during the day with trains running from the towns 3 stations, and there are plenty of buses. But these service becomes ...
wiggglypufff 12.12.2000 (22.10.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Maidstone in General
Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Maidstone in General"
Advantages: (+) many methods of transport available Disadvantages: (-) rush hour and car parking prices all add up!
I have lived inMaidstone all my life so I will just explain some of the ways about travelling around Maidstone and the town centre. (For place names extra have a look at my 'MaidstoneIngeneral' review it may make a little more sense!)
(Street maps etc can be found on www.digitalmaidstone.co.uk or www.tour-maidstone.co.uk and for more generalised maps try www.multimap.co.uk)
*****Foot*****
Everywhere is open to pedestrian access with Week Street being pedestrianised, and the High Street being buses and taxis only. All areas have pedestrian crossings to make crossing the road safe. I always walk to town if I can't get a lift or don't have the car. I only live 25-30 minutes away from the town centre and its really easy, helps keep me fit. My twice daily walk to school is along the same route too so its all along main roads ...
Advantages: The easy train link to London and The Margate Exodus Disadvantages: The town itself
seem to be about 5 minutes later than the timetable says. The train station is very good to link to many places over Kent and London including Canterbury (East and West), Ashford, Maidstone, Chatham, Rochester, London Victoria, London Charing Cross, etc.
Ingeneral, Margate isn't good. There isn't much to do, it is just one big graffiti board calling for all chavs around the country. The beach is nice though, there is sand. Thats about it for my review. If you think my review is short, that is because there isn't much in Margate to descibe and if there is ANYTHING you need to know about Margate, leave a message in my guestbook and I will find an answer for you, I live here so I can do the research for you. I know many train ticket and bus ticket prices too. ...
Advantages: Reasonable selection of shops Disadvantages: Generally drab apperance
I bordered briefly on this shopping centre in my general review of Maidstone, but having found it in a category of its own, I couldn’t resist the chance to enlarge on my feelings about this heap of bricks and mortar, the building of unreached potential that blights my home town.
~ The Chequers fails to bring together under one roof what would be preferred for a town shopping centre. You would perhaps expect the magnificence in design and overall appearance that is found within Bluewater or Lakeside, but unfortunately Kents county town of Maidstone fails to provide anything remotely close in its shopping centre.
~ Known a number of years ago as the Stoneborough Centre, realistically the only thing that has changed with the times is the name. A small amount of refurbishment was carried out in the transition from Stoneborough to ...
