Car Hire Maidstone

Maidstone lies on the edge of the Kent Downs in the south-east of England, just off the M20 motorway. This is a major route which connects the town with Folkestone, around 60 kilometres away on the south coast, while London lies around 65 kilometres away via the M2 and A2.

Following the M20 north from Maidstone provides access to the M25, also known as the London Orbital Motorway, which encircles the capital and is an easy way to reach its surrounding towns and suburbs. If you are driving into central London, a congestion charge applies between 7am and 6pm from Monday to Friday. You’ll find all the details you need, including how to pay, on the Transport for London website.

Heading south out of Maidstone, you’ll find the A229 leads all the way towards Hastings on the south coast, while the seaside town of Margate is just 70 kilometres away to the east via the M2 and A299. The M2 also provides a link to the famous cathedral city of Canterbury, just 45 kilometres east of Maidstone.

Some parts of Maidstone’s historic town centre, including Week Street and St Gabriel’s Hill, are pedestrianised, but there are plenty of convenient parking places where you can leave your hire car. Pay-and-display car parks can be found on King Street, Medway Street and Mill Street, while on-street parking is also available nearby. Leeds Castle, which lies just off the M20 around 10 kilometres from the town centre, has its own free car park on site.

Speed limits are displayed in miles per hour, and are typically 30mph (48km/h) around towns and cities, though some central and residential zones may be 20mph (32km/h). Motorways and dual-carriageways usually have a maximum limit of 70mph (112km/h) unless indicated, though some stretches of the M25 are 50mph (80km/h) for example. Always check signs in case as this can vary.

Home to parks, museums and historic attractions, this place offers plenty of things to see and do.

And when you hire a car in Maidstone, its great location at the heart of Kent means you’ll be well placed to head further afield too, with day trips and other destinations within easy reach.

Historic days out

Leeds Castle is perhaps Maidstone’s most famous attraction. Once home to medieval queens including Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon, it was later bought by an heiress in the 20^th century who transformed it into a glamorous retreat for wealthy and famous guests.

First opened to the public in 1976, the castle remains one of Kent’s most popular days out, partly due to its unique setting – it’s perched on two islands set within a beautiful lake. You can tour of the castle and its state rooms before taking a stroll around the grounds, which are filled with attractions including a yew tree maze and regular falconry displays.

Back in the town centre, you will find another of Maidstone’s most famous historic buildings: the Archbishop’s Palace. Dating back to the 14^th century it retains many of its historic features, while the stables in its courtyard are home to the unusual but highly interesting Carriage Museum.

Not far away is Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery, housed within Chillington Manor House. It’s home to a diverse collection of art and artefacts, ranging from historic Japanese paintings to a 2,700-year old Egyptian mummy. Also not to be missed is ‘Iggy’, the cast of an iguanodon dinosaur skeleton unearthed in Maidstone in the Victorian era.

Parking is available for a small charge at Fremlin Walk just a short distance away.

Rest and relaxation

Maidstone town centre offers plenty of shops and restaurants where you can take a break from sightseeing. And then there’s Mote Park, one of the largest areas of its kind in the south-east of England.

Once a country estate, complete with mansion house, today it’s a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. With children’s play areas, a large lake and even a model railway, it also hosts big events such as music festivals and open-air theatre performances during the summer months.

If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, head for the watersports centre where you can try your hand at sailing, windsurfing and kayaking. Or, for a more relaxing experience, take a peaceful woodland walk and relax amid the beautiful scenery.

Explore Canterbury

For an enchanting day out, you can hop in your hire car and head along the M2 to Canterbury, home to a magnificent cathedral that’s been a popular destination for pilgrims since the Middle Ages.

As well as its historical attractions, Canterbury has museums and galleries aplenty. It also boasts great shopping facilities, including the King’s Mile and Westgate – where you will find independent boutiques selling everything from clothing to jewellery and antiques.

With car hire in Maidstone, all this and more is within easy reach. Book direct online today.