Barges on the River Medway were a common site. The loading docks and industrial wharfs shifted goods from Kent to London and beyond. They were a vital part of Maidstone's growth and history.
Click on each street below to find out more about Maidstone's past. The stories within the buildings are etched into the fabrics of their past. They have changed. They have survived war, peace, unrest, centuries of modernisation, economic impacts, pandemics and plagues and still many are here to tell the tale.
Week Street in the centre of Maidstone has both a Roman and a Medieval History. Typically the buildings have narrow frontages which is a style known as burgage plots, which were let on attractive terms to tradesmen.
Delve into the town's rich past. Discover the Town Hall's 18th Century charm and iconic landmarks like The Muggleton Inn. Uncover Lower High Street's markets, coaching inns, and a glimpse of Maidstone's political history. Immerse yourself in a tapestry of heritage.
Fairmeadow is the site of brutal religous descrimination through the Marian persecutions but is also the site of entertainment for local people 1500's and 1600's. Now it is mainly a road but the tow walk along the tow path remains and is a pleasant place to be.
Maidstone bridge as been a key to its success as a trading point and as economics has driven its growth. It was a design of Sir Joseph Bazelgette still carries and enormous amout of traffic daily. St Peter's bridge was added at a later date.
Mill Street has a long industrial history, from Medieval times when it had six mills mainly agricultural and then it developed into fulling mills to help clean wool. Remenants of the mills remain but much was destroyed by bombing in WWII.
The Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone has a long interesting and varied history. It is home to some of Maidstone's action over the centuries and protected its people as well as being a rest point for pilgrims travelling to Canterbury.
The site for this church was probably founded in the 7th Century and was known as St Mary's. All Saints was constructed on the site from 1396. The Horseway is an ancient route probably used in prehistoric times or is Roman in date.
This area is frequently crammed with traffic and it is often difficult to appreicate these buildings but it has the highest density of listed buildings in England. Look up. Or alternatively head up to the top corner of the car park on the top of The Mall Shopping Centre and look down. The roofs give away its history.
Gabriels' Hill was the site of the climax of the Battle of Maidstone, fought on 1 June 1648. The ancient buildings now house a variety of shoe shops, jewellers and eateries in this pedestrianised street. In fact The Golden Boot is the UK's oldest family owned shoe shop in England. It was founded in 1790 and is still in the hands of the same family.
Maidstone Museum is housed within Chillington House which was in Medieval times annexed to the College of Saints but is mainly typical example of Elizabethan domestic architecture.
Corpus Christi Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Maidstone and was founded around 1422, when it was it was gifted to the brotherhood of the Maidstone Fraternity (Guild) of Corpus Christi. In 1474 there were 124 members who paid a fee, which essentially acted as an insurance to cover them for their old and in times of sickness.
Market Buildings were created in 1825 originally as a market when the town outgrew the now Jubilee Square. The corn exchange was added in 1835 and the Hazlitt Theatre, formerly a concert hall was added in 1869.
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