Sports and Leisure

Maidstone is an active place to be and you can do everything from jumping out of a plane with a parachute to escape rooms. Maidstone Leisure Centre offers all the traditional types of sporting and leisure facilities which you would expect with an excellent leisure pool, courts of all types, classes and a well equipped gym. 

Walking and Hiking

Walking and hiking in the countryside around Maidstone can provide very different expreinces. From the challenges of the North Downs Way National Trail and Greensand Ridge to woodland, orchards and hop gardens or waterside walking or across farmland. There are circular walks to pubs, tea rooms and farm shops.  Have a look at our walking pages, which includes some maps and directions.There are lots of good walks close to train stations, so you can plan your walk one way and return by train. 
If you are taking part in one of our long distance walks or a pilgrimage check out our North Downs Way, Pilgrim’s Way or Augustine Camino Trail.  

Cycling Routes

The cycle path along the River Medway from Allington to East Farleigh is popular with cyclists and walkers. The mobility impaired also thoroughly enjoy this walk which makes getting out into the countryside easy. Along the way there is an abundance of wildlife to look out for. There are some good cycle routes which run from the railway stations in the south of Maidstone Borough, taking in the interesting villages of Headcorn, Staplehurst, Marden and Yalding.  Pub lunches and panniers packed with local produce from farm shops enables you to take your Kent experience home with you. 

Fishing

Fishing is a popular pastime and Monks Lakes near Staplehurst, Claygate Lakes near Marden and the River Medway, Mote Park and Sam’s Lakes are all great locations for enjoying the sport. 

Art and Creativity

Artistic and creative days can be very rewarding. Visit This Art of Mine and try your hand at pottery painting, pottery wheels, stitching, rug making, floristry and a host of other activities. Aylesford Pottery offer courses at a potters wheel to find out what you can achieve.
Maidstone Museum run 'Make it' Workshops during the school holidays, and specialist workshops for adults.  Look out especially in the events section for Open Evening at the Museum.

Watersports

A variety of watersports can be found at Mote Park Watersports Centre in Mote Park.  Here you will find a very professional and well run business offering canoeing, sailing, paddle-boarding, pedaloes and dragon boats all run to RYA standards and you can obtain RYA qualifications here.  They also offer RYA motor boat qualifications.  Expeditions are also offered on the River Medway.

Tennis

Tennis Courts can be found at Penenden Heath Tennis Club and Clare Park where tickets can be purchased from the Park attendant. There are also tennis courts at Freedom Leisure at Whatman Park, the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel and the Tudor Park, Marriott Hotel & Country Club for the use of their guests.  

Bowling

Clare Park Bowling Club welcomes non-members so you can turn up and 'Pay and Play'. For a different type of bowling, a Ten Pin Bowling alley can be found in the town centre Hollywood Bowl at the Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre.

Golf

There are all sorts of golf courses in the Maidstone area from championship courses to small welcoming clubs for beginners.  Our specialist golf page gives more detailed information.

Trampolining

Can be found at Gravity – where you can bounce like for sport or just for fun.  It is a particularly useful place for energetic children on a rainy day.

Segways and High Wires

Go Ape at Leeds Castle provides a high wire experience, with lots of climbs and zip wire whizzes.  Segways can be found at Leeds Castle and also on specific dates in Mote Park.  Mote Park Outdoor Adventure offers a high ropes course, segways, a climbing wall and mini golf.

Climbing

The Climbing Experience in St Peter's Street in Maidstone offers a variety of climbing and bouldering experiences from beginners to advanced.  Kent Scouts at Grange Farm have an excellent climbing wall and facility which can be booked by groups but not individuals.  Mote Park Outdoor Adventure also has a climbing wall which is easily accessed, challenging and fun.  If you are looking for outdoor rock climbing experiences then you will need to head south to Tunbridge Wells area, where you will find a number of sandstone rocky outcrops, including High Rocks, Eridge Rocks and Bowles Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Flying, Skydiving and Wing Walking 

There are not many places in England where you can Skydive or Wing Walk but Headcorn Aerodrome is one of them. Whilst this is a fantastic opportunity to experience something out of the ordinary it also very weather dependent. Wind and rain will cancel flights at short notice and there are some quite long waiting lists to have a go at this, so booking in advance is definitely the only thing to do.