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Home Page > Environment > Parks & Open Spaces > Parks in the borough

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.                         

   

Mote ParkThe 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.

 

Heritage Lottery Fund

 

To find out more about the project please visit www.actaland.com/news/NEWS080208-1

 


 

Brenchley Gardens

 

Brenchley GardensSituated 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

 

Whatman ParkThis 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      South Park

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        Clare Park        

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.