Although many people think of Maidstone as no more than an outer suburb of London, it has a pleasant historic centre with some lovely 14th century buildings. Maidstone's main attraction is nearby Leeds Castle.

Practical information

Maidstone Town Hall Visitor Information Centre

Town Hall, High Street, Maidstone

Tel (01622) 602169

Website www.tour-maidstone.com

Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Coming & going

Maidstone has two train stations. Maidstone East station has trains to London and Canterbury and Maidstone West has trains to Gatwick Airport.

Buses stop at the Chequers Centre Bus Station in the town centre. This includes National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) services to London, Canterbury and Dover and local Stagecoach buses to destinations within Kent.

Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions

Leeds Castle

Lord Conway called Leeds Castle "the loveliest castle in the world" and the castle's marketing people won't let you forget it. It certainly is a spectacular castle with a lovely setting encircled by a moat on 500 acres of lush parkland. Six queens have called the 1000-year-old castle home and it was one of Henry VIII's favourite places. Visitors to the castle can explore the castle's restored rooms, which include a Dog Collar Museum with a collection of collars dating back 400 years.

Leeds Castle, Maidstone

Train Bearsted

Tel 0870 600 8880

Website www.leeds-castle.com

Admission £16.50 (£13.50 students)

Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Oct 10am-5.30pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-4pm daily

Museum of Kent Life

This open-air museum consists of restored historic buildings that depict rural life in Kent 100 years ago.

Cobtree, Lock Lane, Sandling

Bus 155

Tel (01622) 763936

Website www.museum-kentlife.co.uk

Admission £7

Open late Feb-early Nov 10am-5.30pm daily (last admission 4pm)

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Destination guides > Europe > England > Southeast England > Kent > Maidstone