FROM THE THRIVING PULSE OF THE HIGH STREET TO THE ROMANTIC WONDER OF THE TRADITIONAL KENTISH VILLAGES AND ROLLING COUNTRYSIDE THAT SURROUNDS THE TOWN , MAIDSTONE IS THE HEART OF KENT .
KENTSTAYCATION
MOTE PARK LAKE
MADE IN
MAIDSTONE
FROM THE THRIVING PULSE OF THE HIGH STREET TO THE ROMANTIC WONDER OF THE TRADITIONAL KENTISH VILLAGES AND ROLLING COUNTRYSIDE THAT SURROUNDS THE TOWN , MAIDSTONE IS THE HEART OF KENT .
As county town of Kent and one of our most historic locations , Maidstone was developed on the site of an important meeting place : an identity that has remained the essence of the town ever since . The name ‘ Maidstone ’ comes from ‘ the people ’ s stone ’ and it is likely that a stone marked the sight of this busy point on the River Medway centuries ago . The river itself is the ancient boundary which separated West and East Kent , and Maidstone was once the capital of the former . On the west of the river lived the ‘ Kentish Men ’ and on the east lived the ‘ Men of Kent ’! Today , this distinction is still used proudly and is an interesting quirk that has stood the test of time .
Although Maidstone has been lovingly redeveloped in recent years , there are still several architecturally magnificent Elizabethan and Georgian buildings that can be found hidden away on the high street and in the town ’ s backstreets . The Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery is housed in one such building , the beautiful Chillington Manor House , once a splendid Tudor residence , located on St Faith ’ s Street . Established in 1858 , the museum now houses over 660,000 artefacts and specimens . Each gallery will fascinate and surprise , with a wealth of exhibits and objects to see and enjoy as well as regular storytelling and children ' s holiday activities - including this October half term . Don ’ t miss the 2,500-yearold Egyptian mummy or Maidstone ’ s dinosaur , plus fascinating local history – from toffees to cricket balls . The museum also houses the splendour of the Queen ’ s Own Royal West Kent regimental museum and the Japanese Gallery holds one of the finest collections of Japanese art in the country . It contains over 3,000 artefacts , primarily from two locally connected donations in the early 20th
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM
century . There is always a lively programme of changing exhibitions from photographic displays to special costume exhibitions , as well as craft workshops and lectures . On Saturday 28 October , there will be a screening of the classic cult horror film An
American Werewolf In London ( includes a cocktail on arrival !) and from 21 October to 16 December , the To the Moon exhibition will be running , which looks at all things related to our nearest neighbour in space .
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