Maidstone: Museums, History and River Trips

Maidstone combines a varied history of museums and architecture with parkland and trips on the water. If you’re looking for a hotel in Maidstone, these different highlights can help you plan your trip: collections and historic architecture, paths through green spaces or a trip aboard the Kentish Lady.

Museum and Collections

Maidstone Museum is housed in Chillington Manor, an Elizabethan manor house in the town centre. It holds more than 600,000 objects of international significance. Its collections include archaeology, costumes, Ancient Egypt, ethnography, biology, fine art, geology and local history, as well as Japanese decorative arts and prints. The range of subjects therefore extends from Maidstone’s own history to natural history, art and international collections.

Archbishop’s History and All Saints Church

The Archbishop’s Palace in Maidstone is one of four similar archbishop’s palaces between London and Canterbury. The gatehouse and bridge from the 14th century survive at the palace’s outer courtyard entrance, which is attributed to Islip. The bridge now lies beneath Bishop’s Way. All Saints Church tells a different story of ecclesiastical architecture: Archbishop Courtenay began building it in 1395 as a collegiate church. Its choir stalls feature medieval misericords, small supports beneath hinged seats. Together, the palace and church represent different aspects of archiepiscopal and ecclesiastical history, complemented by specific details of medieval architecture.

Horse-Drawn Carriages in a Historic Stable

Maidstone Carriage Museum is housed in the Archbishops’ Stables in the courtyard of the Archbishop’s Palace; the stables date from the 14th century. The museum displays more than 60 horse-drawn vehicles: ornate carriages, decorated sleighs, antique sedan chairs, Victorian hansom cabs and an original ice cream cart. It opened in 1946 as the Museum of Carriages. The collection therefore has its own history as a museum, alongside its range of different vehicle types.

Paths and Scenery at Mote Park

Mote Park covers more than 450 acres and includes grassland, woodland, rivers and a 30-acre lake. Numerous scenic paths and trails are suitable for walking and cycling. The park offers a different focus from the historic buildings and collections: here, the landscape and paths take centre stage.

Trips on the Kentish Lady

At weekends and during school holidays, the Kentish Lady offers one-hour return trips from Maidstone town centre to Allington Lock or Kent Life Heritage Farm Park; a one-way trip is also available. On weekdays from April to October, three-hour lunch or dinner cruises to Teston via Farleigh Lock are also available, with a choice of a picnic box or fish and chips. Another seasonal trip runs from Maidstone to Allington Castle. Visitors disembark there for a guided tour led by castle staff. The tour includes the grounds, gardens, courtyards and Great Hall, and provides more information about the castle’s history.

For planning your time, the one-hour return trips and three-hour cruises with meals are clearly different; the trip to Allington Castle offers a distinct focus with its guided tour. Check dates and availability for seasonal trips before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Tilmanstone, Chevening, Bilsington, Stelling Minnis, Hythe, Wickhambreaux, Vigo Village, Hadlow.

Return to the main travel overview: Kent.