Maidstone has a colourful history shaped by battles, revolts, witches, mad priests and later, industrialists, brewers and Victorian benefactors. Situated between Dover and London the town was a main route for pilgrimages and a bustling centre for local and national trade, focusing along the River Medway.
Despite many changes throughout the centuries, the ambience of old Maidstone can still be captured when walking through the town. Discover the unusual and intriguing history of Maidstone with everything from Maidstone's dinosaurs to distilling 5,000 gallons (22,730 litres) of gin a week!
Eminent people throughout history have resided here and have contributed to significant changes in the world. William Caxton was England’s first printer and published “The Dictes and Sayinges of the Philosophres” in 1476. Sir Lawrence Washington was a lawyer and an ancestor of George Washington and their family crest, which can been seen in All Saints Church, relates in a significant way to the USA national flag. Lord Avebury introduced bank holidays in 1872, which has made a contribution to all those who work in Britain today. Their statues can all be found in Bank Street, just look up. Left to right they are:- Lord Avebury, Sir Lawrence Washington, William Caxton and Archbishop Courtenay.
Wat Tyler was another eminent resident of Maidstone and was one of the people responsible for the Peasants Revolt 1381, which changed the way Britain operates today bringing with it an end to serfdom and the way in which taxes were collected.
Around the town there is a treasure trove of historic sites waiting to be discovered on an historic walking tour. There are also many sites to visit around the borough, such as The Friars, Kent Life, Kits Coty and the splendid Leeds Castle. Whilst some things move on and change others remain steadfast and familiar. The Friars, at Aylesford is still home to the Carmelite Monks, who have resided there since 1242. Kits Coty weathers the storms, as it has since Neolithic times and Leeds Castle remains “The Loveliest Castle in the World”.
Maidstone’s history and past is vibrant but also able to hold its own in the present day with a proud heritage and a bright future.
Maidstone's Iguanodon fossil was found at Barming, about a mile from Maidstone's Town Centre. It was 5m tall and 11m long. The find is in the Natural History Museum in London but a cast of these bones can be seen at Maidstone Museum.
Out of the history books come the stories of Maidstone, the where, the when and the how it all happened. The unique places of historical significance and the time travel into the past.
The Parish Church of the county town of Kent was largely built by Archbishop Courtenay (14th century) and is one of the largest and finest Perpendicular churches in England. Of note are the medieval choir stalls and the Washington family memorial.
This is an imposing ruined castle with a history dating from c.12th century. The great tower, which is the major remaining part of the structure, was once part of a much larger castle, which probably included an inner and outer bailey...
Thought to be older than Stonehenge, the ruins of two prehistoric burial chambers take their name from a shepherd called Kit, who used the stones for shelter in the 17th century.
The Carmelite Friary founded in 1242 was dispossessed at the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII and was re-established in 1949. Lovely grounds and picnic areas. Tearooms, shop, pottery.
Maidstone Museum is an exceptional regional museum housed in the gorgeous Chillington Manor, an Elizabethan manor house. Come and discover the hidden gems in the collections, which boast a rich and impressive variety of historical objects, fine art and natural history.
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