insideKENT Magazine Issue 96 - March 2020 | Page 40

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT ON MAIDSTONE CONT.
MOTE PARK
KENTISH LADY
KENT LIFE HERITAGE FARM PARK
Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent
Parade will appear on the streets of
Maidstone this summer. Organised
by the Heart of Kent Hospice, fifty
Elmer sculptures will be found on 3
different trails with all of the sculptures
liveried in their beautiful individual
artistic designs. The trail opens at the
end of June and runs through to the
end of August. Come and find all the
Elmer’s in the parade.
Maidstone once again can claim its
title of Kent’s Capital for Big
Events. The outstanding music
season kicks off with the Maidstone
Fringe Festival from the 29th April
to 3rd May. There is music on street
corners, pubs and venues across the
town, and the town is buzzing with
music. Mote Park is hosting some
fantastic music festivals this Summer
starting with Pop the Mote and
Revival presents: Symphonic
Ibiza Classical on 23rd and 24th
May. Ramblin Man Fair , an
international classical rock festival
returns for its fifth year from 17th to
40
MAIDSTONE MUSEUM
HOPS N HARVEST BEER FESTIVAL
19th July. Visitors from around the
world flock to see rock legends in the
beautiful setting of Mote Park. New
for 2020 is Lets Rock Kent, an 80’s
music revival headlined by
WetWetWet, Bananarama, Go West
and Sister Sledge and other great
bands on the 29th August. Rock the
Mote, a fantastic tribute band festival
is returning for the second year on 1st
and 2nd August.
Kent Life Heritage Farm Park is a celebration of life in Kent. The traditions
of old Kent can be seen through the restored buildings and storytelling which
depicts the “Garden of England”. There are plenty of educational and fun
activities for all the family, exploring how things were done or simply making
friends with the animals in the farmyard. There are lambs to bottle feed in the
spring, which is a lovely experience no matter what your age. Enjoy some walks
through the vineyards and see the grapes forming. An extensive events programme
brings the spirit of Kent to the modern day through the Hops n Harvest Beer
Festival and the Apple and Cider Fayre.
Mote Park Outdoor Adventure has rope challenges and a climbing wall for
the adventurous, and mini golf and Segways for those who prefer their feet on
the ground.
Maidstone in Summer:
If you are looking for some new
and interesting things to do this
summer check out the new private
hire river cruisers and explore the
River Medway from the water.
Alternatively let someone else drive
the boat and take a river cruise on the
Kentish Lady.
Discover the new garden and pieces
of art at the Blackthorn Trust
Garden and enjoy some wonderfully
home cooked food from the café.
Maidstone Museums are among the finest in the south east and offer more
than a solitary museum. The largest of these can be found in the former Chillington
Manor on St Faith’s Street, which incorporates the Queen’s Own Royal West
Kent Museum – essentially a museum within a museum! Maidstone Carriage
Museum is open seasonally from May to September and can be found within
the stables of the Archbishops’ Palace. The main museum has an eclectic collection
from dinosaurs to an Egyptian mummy, fine art and local history. There are
hands on activities and workshops for children, and special events and a fascinating
programme of temporary exhibitions for all.
If you would like to know more about local events or find out more about what to see and do
in and around Maidstone then check www.visitmaidstone.co.uk