Parks in the borough
Mote Park
Mote Park is registered Grade II on
the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and
Gardens. The
history of Mote Park goes back to the Middle Ages. It is
Maidstone's largest park, covering over 450 acres of mature
parkland with a 30 acre lake, providing a wide range of
recreational activities. A great place to walk
around, exercise or just sit and watch the
swans. The park is home to Maidstone Leisure
Centre.
The leisure facilities and
activities include:
- Cafeteria
- Children's play area and skatepark
- Pitch and Putt
- Football pitches
- Rugby pitches
- Sailing (leased by Maidstone Sailing Club)
- contact secretary@maidstoneclub.org.uk
- Angling - Maidstone Victory Angling &
Medway Preservation
Society
- Model railway (Maidstone Model Engineering Society)
- www.maidstonemes.co.uk
- Model Boats (leased by Cygnets Model Boat Club)
- www.cygnetsmbc.com
- Maidstone Leisure Centre, call 08451 552277
- Mote Park car park is open every day from 9am.
- Many events are held in the park during spring and
summer - Race for Life, funfairs, circus and many
others. If you wish to hold an event, please contact
us on 01622 602188.
Friends of Mote Park
Friends of Mote Park is a group of local residents and
park users who support Maidstone Borough Council in looking after
the park. They are consulted on the management of the park
and they actively help by carrying out practical tasks in the
grounds. To find out more about the Friends, please contact
Cllr. David Marchant by e-mail on davidmarchant@maidstone.gov.uk
or call on 01622 863526 or e-mail guy.tanner@lycos.co.uk.
What makes Mote Park
special?
Information is being gathered on the
history of the park and an account of its development will be
available in April. Wildlife surveys are also being carried out by
nature conservation organisations. The project is funded by a
Heritage/BIG Lottery grant.
To find out more about the project please
visit www.actaland.com/news/NEWS080208-1
Brenchley Gardens
Situated
in the town centre between Maidstone East Station and Maidstone
Museum, Brenchley Gardens provide an oasis of calm in contrast
to the bustling shopping streets. The Victorian bandstand is
the venue for Sunday afternoon concerts during the summer, as well
as other events throughout the year.
There are two prominent monuments in the gardens. A decorative
pinnacle is a piece from the roof of the Houses of Parliament in
Westminster, London. It was presented to the Museum after
World War II as Maidstone was bombed like the Houses of
Parliament. The Cenotaph War Memorial was made from Portland
Stone and designed along the lines of the Cenotaph in
Whitehall. A Remembrance Service with the
Wreath Laying ceremony is held by the "Old Comrades" every year in
September.
Maidstone Millennium River Park
This River
Park is one of the lasting legacy projects funded in part by the
National Lottery to celebrate the new millennium. New
footpaths offer improved access enhanced by the 1500 trees
planted along the route, and three nationally acclaimed footbridges
link the park to the town centre.
Just half a mile from Maidstone Town
Centre, Whatman Park lies at the heart of the Millennium River
Park. This 18 acre site combines a natural landscape of
woodland and wildflower meadow with adventure play areas,
a treetop walk, skatepark and riverstage open-air performance area,
offering a retreat with countless activities for all the
family. The pleasure boats, Kentish Lady and Allington
Belle can stop at Whatman Park Wharf on request.
You can walk 10km (6.6 miles) along the River Medway
from Teston Country Park, which includes a picnic area, to
Allington where there is the Museum of Kent Life and Cobtree Manor
Park and Golf Course.
Penenden Heath
Peneden Heath recreation ground in north
Maidstone, is a pleasant area for sports and recreation.
Facilities:
Six tennis courts open for ’pay
and play’ (pre-booking available with groundsmen on site)
Tennis Academy – individual and group
private coaching sessions (contact Steve Kitcher 01622
735797, www.phtennis.com)
Bowling green used by two bowls clubs,
open May – September, available for ‘pay and play’
Football pitches with changing
rooms
Cricket wicket
Play area
Car park and public toilets
Public footpaths lead from the Heath into the
countryside.
Nature
Remnants of heathland and acid grassland
remain, with gorse, broom and pine trees. Mature lime trees line
the boundaries. Large oaks, London planes and hawthorns can be
found on the site.
History
The recreation ground is part of a larger area
of Penenden Heath. Because of its convenient location and well
drained soil, Penenden Heath had for many centuries been a site of
large gatherings: Shire ‘moots’ (assemblies) in the Middle
Ages, parliamentary elections, and public executions by burning at
the stake or hanging. As a gathering place for the local
populace or military units, it played a part in the Peasants’
Revolt of 1381, Wyatt’s Rebellion of 1554 and the Civil War (Battle
of Maidstone 1648).
In 1882, following landscaping, part of
Penenden Heath was given to the people of Maidstone by the Earl of
Romney for use as a recreation ground.
South Park
South Park is situated about one and a
half 
kilometres south of the town
centre. It is a
neighbourhood park designed by
Bunyards
of Maidstone and developed from
meadowland in
1929.
The park consists of three distinct
sections. There is a garden area with mature trees, shrubs, bedding
plants and a lily pond as well as a bowling green and tennis
courts (fully refurbished in March 2007).
To the west of the Garden,
another section holds the new skate-park "Sk8s'n'Bruises"
and all-weather hockey/football pitch. On the south side
of the park there is a car park, toilets, childrens' play area and
football pitches. It also houses Maidstone Hockey Club's
clubhouse.
South Park Users Group
South Park Users Group are a group of
local residents who meet regularly with the Council to discuss
current issues and new ideas for the park. If you wish to join the
group please call us on 01622 602718 or email us at parks@maidstone.gov.uk
Clare
Park
Clare Park is situated in the Fant area
of 
Maidstone, approximately one and a half
kilometres west of the town centre.
The park is nearly square in shape and gently
slopes southwards. It has many mature trees,
hard footpaths, public toilets and benches.
Although fairly small, it holds numerous facilities and is an
ideal place to take a gentle stroll or to sit and enjoy a
picnic. There are conservation areas in the park which provide
habitats for wildlife.
A benefactor to the town, Sir Edward Sharp, founder of Sharp's
Toffees, gave Clare Park to the people of Maidstone in 1923. It was
named after his wife and a drinking fountain by the main gate
commemorates the event.
Recent improvements include new black metal palisade
fencing, a new multi games area for basketball,
netball, football and the refurbishment of the tennis
courts.
Facilities
- 2 Tennis Courts - open all year for 'pay and play',
or book 7 days in advance with the groundsman. Call 01622 726435 to
book.
Childrens Play Area - 2 swings, 3 toddlers' swings, 2 slides and
apparatus, a springer and a spider climb.
Multi-use Games Area - open all year round.
Bowls Club
The park is the home of the Clare Park Bowls Club which is open
from May until September. Non-members can book 'pay and play'.
For more information, please call the Secretary, Mr
Lester on 01622 717511.
Friends of Clare Park
This is a group of residents and park users concerned about
their local green space. They advise the Council on the management
of the park and organise events in the park for the local
community. If you would like to join the Friends, please email
Julia Brundish on jbrundish@sky.com.