All Year Round

Visitors come to Maidstone throughout the year, making the most of their time off no matter what the season. With lots of attractions open all year, and new and exciting things happening all the time, you’re sure to find something fun to do whenever you visit. The South-East of England enjoys some of the warmest, driest weather in the country making it an ideal choice for a ‘stay-cation’. Even when the weather is less than perfect, there are still plenty of things to amuse and entertain, and seeking out these experiences can be really rewarding!

Spring

Springtime brings a welcome burst of new life and colour after the winter months, making it a great time to explore Maidstone’s parks and gardens. Lots of birds overwinter in Mote Park and many stay through the spring to raise their young. Roaming further afield, a walk in the countryside can reveal bluebells spread like carpets through the woodlands, or a rare orchid blooming on the edge of the North Downs.

At Kent Life, you can experience the thrill of bottle-feeding a lamb, or help to feed the pigs and hens, where you might find yourself surrounded by delightful yellow chicks!

Summer

Making the most of the long, lazy days of summer is easy in Maidstone. Our parks and open spaces are great for picnics and, at this time of year, many play host to a variety of entertainments including outdoor theatre, music festivals and concerts.

It’s also a great time for messing about in boats too, whether you choose a traditional rowing boat or a more unconventional swan pedalo on the lake at Mote Park, or perhaps rent a boat from Hire Cruisers - Self-Drive Boat Rental to explore the River Medway.

Autumn

This season offers a treat for the senses, with a nip in the air and the crunch of leaves underfoot. With numerous farmers’ markets and several food festivals, it’s the perfect time to discover all the best produce the region has to offer. Kent Life also holds celebrations of the harvest, including the Hops ‘n’ Harvest Festival and the Apple and Cider Fayre.

The parks and countryside are aflame with autumn colour during the day, while bonfires and fireworks light up the sky for Guy Fawkes Night. The Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular is an annual treat not to be missed.

Winter

Christmas is a magical time in Maidstone too, when the high street is lit up with festive twinkling lights and the sound of Christmas carols fills the air. Leeds Castle is totally enchanting in winter, with its themed Christmas trees and decorations. It could be fairy tales or gingerbread or musical notes, but it’s always beautiful.

Wrap up warm and head outside to escape the Christmas shopping and enjoy a brisk walk along the Pilgrim’s Way or a stroll around Mote Park. Then sit back and relax with a warming mug of hot chocolate in a café or snuggle up near the log fire in a country pub.

Great At Any Time!

Alongside all these seasonal delights, there are lots of year-round attractions to discover in Maidstone. Leeds Castle is open all year and so are the vineyards and the wine tastings.  Kent Life is only closed January and until the February half-term. Our farm shops, markets, restaurants, pubs and shops are open all year.

If you’re in the town centre, you can take in a movie at the Odeon Cinema or aim for a ‘strike’ at the Hollywood Bowl. At the Hazlitt Theatre, you can discover everything from comedy to classical ballet and there’s live music in the Music Room at Pizza Express.

Maidstone Museum has lots of interesting galleries to explore, with a genuine Egyptian mummy and amazing objects from around the world on display. There are constantly changing touring exhibitions, and there is always a packed programme of activities for children during the school holidays. Regular ‘Museum Lates’ offer something different for the grown-ups too.

Explore your creative side at This Art of Mine or Aylesford Pottery, where you can join a course or a day-long workshop to learn a new skill and maybe discover a hidden talent! This Art of Mine runs a number of gift-making workshops before Christmas, as well as Valentine’s Day, and creating cute chicks or decorated eggs with your children is great for Easter.

Take a walk on the wild side at the Big Cat Sanctuary, where specialist photography experiences can be booked. Learn how to take truly memorable photos using the beautiful Big Cats as your subject.

The Kent countryside has long attracted film and TV producers looking for authentic buildings and beautiful scenery to stage their productions. It has also provided inspiration to authors such as Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. Now you can explore some of the most iconic locations on a series of trails (some will require a car to drive between stops, while others can be done by bike or on foot). Visit Kent Movie map and select the trail you're interested in for more details. Muggleton it is believed to be Charles Dickens's name for Maidstone and Cobtree Manor Park, Dingly Dell.

Whatever time of year you are planning on visiting Maidstone, check out our Inspire page for more great ideas and don’t forget to check the What’s On pages for details of forthcoming events.