WEST KENT : DAYS OUT
Leeds Castle , Maidstone With former residents including medieval queens , King Henry VIII and Lady Baillie , this stunning castle , sat majestically in the still waters of its moat , is surrounded by 500 acres of gardens and offers visitors fantastic historical adventures , outdoor activities and a nine-hole golf course . leeds-castle . com
Maidstone Distillery , Maidstone Honouring a rich legacy within the world of spirit making , Maidstone Distillery invites visitors to learn about both the distillery ’ s intriguing history and the art of crafted spirits . Enjoy watching the spirits being made firsthand and experience the art of distilling in fun experiences that come complete with tasting sessions . themaidstonedistillery . com
Maidstone Museum , Maidstone From fascinating collections on ancient Egypt and Japanese arts to artefacts from the Queen ’ s Own Royal West Kent Regiment , you are bound to be enthralled by the treasures awaiting to be discovered at this wonderful town museum . museum . maidstone . gov . uk
Mote Park , Maidstone Award-winning 450-acre multi-use park in the heart of the town . Made up of woodlands , grassland , rivers and a lake , Mote Park features outdoor play areas , a Sky Trail , watersports facilities and is the setting of some of the town ’ s largest festivals . moteparkfellowship . org . uk / mote-park
Owl Academy , Maidstone Situated within the picturesque grounds of Kent Life , get up close to various fascinating birds of prey . Enjoy captivating displays at the Owl Encounter days , or take part in the Raptor Experience , stepping into the world of falconry . kentowlacademy . com
River Medway Canoes , Wateringbury Located in the beautiful village of Wateringbury , all canoe , kayak , stand-up paddleboard and self-drive motor boat hires start and finish at this scenic spot along the historic River Medway , with various river routes awaiting to be explored . rivermedwaycanoes . com
The Climbing Experience , Maidstone Grab the opportunity to test out exhilarating routes and ranges of difficulty on the wall adventure area and state-of-the-art bouldering facilities . For those looking for expert guidance , join the introduction to bouldering sessions for some fun upskilling . theclimbingexperience . co . uk
Tyland Barn Nature Park & Gardens , Sandling Restored 17th-century barn boasting a large wildlife and conservation exhibition as well as being the headquarters of the Kent Wildlife Trust . Throughout the year it is home to bees , tadpoles and , in recent years , breeding kestrels . kentwildlifetrust . org . uk
Penshurst Place 28
© Peter Smith