What to do and see in Maidstone, England: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do

May 8, 2022 Joeann Galban

Maidstone is a large, historically important town in Kent, England, of which it is the county town. The River Medway runs through the centre of the town, linking it with Rochester and the Thames Estuary. Historically, the river carried much of the town's trade as the centre of the agricultural county of Kent, known as the Garden of England. There is evidence of settlement in the area dating back before the Stone Age. The town, part of the borough of Maidstone, had a population of 107,627 people in 2011. There has been a shift in the town's economy since the Second World War away from heavy industry towards light industry and services.
Restaurants in Maidstone

1. Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats

Wierton Road, Boughton Monchelsea, Maidstone ME17 4JU England +44 1622 746420 [email protected] http://www.buttercups.org.uk/
Excellent
86%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 175 reviews

Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats

Reviewed By 820dianai - Meopham, United Kingdom

There are around 150 rescued goats living happily in beautiful countryside. You can wander around the massive field enclosure and and get close to the goats who are very friendly. There is a small cafe and gift shop where goat food can be purchased. I booked the 'Walking with Goats' experience for my son and his family and despite the cold windy weather it was a great success. Walking through the fields with two extremely strong, but good natured goats on leads was certainly a novel experience. We were accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced guide which enhanced the walk. Wonderful for children who are happy with animals and I will definitely go again .

2. Elveys-Canoe

Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 474 reviews

Elveys-Canoe

Spring & Summer Pre Booked only canoe and kayak Hire on the River Medway Canoe Trail. We are a small family run business offering canoe and kayak hire on the River Medway at Yalding. Advance booking always required so please ensure you are booked before travelling to us. We can also arrange Private Guided Trips for groups between 10-40 people so ideal for large groups of friends or corporate events where you want a qualified guide to accompany you. We operate between May and September and our website calendar contains full details of availability. Please note we do not offer part day or hourly hire rates. Our rates are based on daily hire and whilst the duration is up to you, we do encourage you to make sure you have good amount of time (3-4 hours+) to really enjoy the river and ensure you get good value for money. Our website has a FAQ page that answers the questions we get asked most often.

3. J Sabai Spa

40 King Street, Maidstone ME14 1BS England +44 1622 296400 [email protected] http://www.jsabaispa.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 25 reviews

J Sabai Spa

Experience a new twist on therapeutic and relaxing massage services performed by our well trained therapists. Forget the hustle and bustle of traffic and work, just enjoy your massage, relax and unwind in our spa. Accepting all major Credit & Debit Cards

Reviewed By Jomiz

Amazing full body massage would definitely recommend. Clean salon very welcoming and massage was lovely

4. The Rifle Volunteers

28 Wyatt Street, Maidstone ME14 1EU England +44 1622 758891 http://www.facebook.com/Rifle-Volunteers-148668401868603/
Excellent
90%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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5.0 based on 21 reviews

The Rifle Volunteers

Reviewed By PaulNa - Aylesford, United Kingdom

If you enjoy truly excellent real ales (Goachers) then this is the pub for you. If you think most pubs charge too much for their beer, then Goacher’s Fine Light at £3 a pint is for you. If you fancy a snack to go with your beer and don’t want a full blown meal, then a crusty cheese & onion roll with some crisps at £1.50 is just for you. If you appreciate the landlord and his wife actually knowing what they’re doing rather than simply serving a yellow beverage, then you’ll like Alex and Polly. If you like lager, fruit machines, load music and rowdy hoofs then I can recommend some other pubs. What Alex and Polly have done for their customers during lockdown is impressive. A great great pub.

5. Kent Owl Academy

Lock Lane Sandling, Maidstone ME14 3AU England +44 7535 471588 [email protected] http://www.kentowlacademy.com/
Excellent
99%
Good
1%
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5.0 based on 195 reviews

Kent Owl Academy

The Kent Owl Academy is a family run business, situated within the confines of 'Kent Life' in Maidstone. Providing Experience days, School visits, Visits to Brownies and other organisations, Photography workshops, Corporate events and TV/Film/Media work and much more! Get up close and personal with owls and exotic animals!

Reviewed By GibsonsNZ

My son undertook the Junior Keeper Experience today and totally loved it! The staff we so friendly and informative, and we were made so welcome. The animals are so well cared for and are absolutely beautiful. The Academy is set in the Kent Life Museum which is brilliant to visit too. Great for families. If you’re visiting Kent, you should totally go. Highly recommend!

6. Escape Hub

High Street Royal Star Arcade, Maidstone ME14 1JL England [email protected] http://www.escapehub.co.uk/
Excellent
92%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 319 reviews

Escape Hub

These Live Escape Room games are the perfect thing to do with a group of family, friends or work colleague. You and your group have 1 hour to escape on of our themed rooms, solve puzzles and decode clues in these fun immersive games.

Reviewed By 124samanthao

Absolutely loved the new room - The Peril of Sherwin Hones, escaped with 5 minutes left thanks to some help from our wonderful Games Master Alex!! Great fun & very well done. Felt perfectly safe with Covid measures in place.

7. Stoneacre

Stoneacre Stoneacre Lane, Maidstone ME15 8RS England +44 1580 710701 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneacre/
Excellent
69%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
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1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 89 reviews

Stoneacre

8. Vinters Valley Nature Reserve

Pegasus Place Lodge Road Weavering, Maidstone ME14 5EH England http://vintersvalley.co.uk/
Excellent
71%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
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4.5 based on 48 reviews

Vinters Valley Nature Reserve

Reviewed By I5360YGscottc

This is a lovely nature reserve nestled between housing estates and the busy ashford road/school area. There is plenty to see here ranging from old buildings from when a large house stood in the grounds to a diverse wildlife landscape. It is well used by the the locals but is never busy and is a nice quiet and scenic area just outside Maidstone.

9. Madame Mu Mu

1st Floor 108-110 Week Street, Maidstone ME14 1RH England +44 1622 669800 [email protected] http://www.mumuexperience.com/#!1gallery/galleryPage
Excellent
77%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 280 reviews

Madame Mu Mu

Madam Mu Mu is a Boho Chic Cabaret Restaurant where some of the best Cabaret acts from allover the UK appear. From Legends shows to Circus acts and the best Burlesque in the UK you will have an amazing night. Our Restaurant has been the Number 1 Restaurant on TRIPADVISOR for the last year. Designed by one of the best designers in the World, Jeff Meades.

Reviewed By JennaPat721

Had a brilliant night here on Saturday for my hen do. Madame Mumu and the other acts were great and very funny - if you like a bit of risque humour!! Food was lovely and came out in good time. The bar staff were speedy and we stayed on the dancefloor for a few hours after the entertainment had finished. Great night out!!!

10. This Art Of Mine

Coldblow Lane Little Budds Farm, Thurnham, Maidstone ME14 3LR England +44 1622 735312 http://www.thisartofmine.co.uk
Excellent
85%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

This Art Of Mine

Reviewed By 34jow - Maidstone, United Kingdom

I have visited with children and have been on more than one of the adult evening workshops. I would recommend both. Having been to other pottery painting places this definitely has the edge as both Kate and Gemma are always able to assist with ideas and have plenty of samples on show and have lots of ideas to assist people if they are lacking a bit of inspiration. There are also a good variety of tools available and which can help making a piece look professional and other places I've found just seem to have a few odd pieces of foam! I'm not particularly creative however I do enjoy their evening classes, they are great if you fancy doing something a little arty. The step by step approach seems to be fail safe and you come out with an impressive item even if you are not Van Gough. They also do holiday courses for children which are quite handy if you work my daughter recently enjoyed one of these. Take a few extra pennies with you and stock up on free range eggs while you are there!

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