For more details please call:
01622 297192Countryside and coastline
Kent has one of England’s longest and most varied coastlines. You can observe abundant and changing coastal wildlife throughout the year, and enjoy an impressive number of Blue Flag beaches with their high water quality, and record of safety, service and environmental management.
As well as enjoying the sea air, you can wander Kent’s famous towns and villages, or enjoy bracing walks, such as those around Harrietsham, giving you wonderful views from the heights of the North Downs.
The Hollingbourne trail introduces you to locations linked through to folk stories to Catherine Howard, Francis Drake and John Cade. Then there’s the chance to stretch your legs along the river walks of the Medway Valley, or discover Leeds Castle, which is just a few miles from Mote House. It's surrounded by 500 acres of picturesque parkland and gardens, making it a favourite destination for a day trip.
Maidstone
Maidstone is a town that can be traced back through history to the 10th century. The Domesday Book of 1086 refers to it as the manor of Meddestane, which comprised of arable land, meadow, woodland and a church; five mills and two eel fisheries.
Today Maidstone is the county town of Kent. It has a rich heritage yet is also a popular destination for entertainment and shopping. In fact, the town currently has over one million square feet of retail floor space with a multiplex cinema and many restaurants.
Kent Life is an English open-air museum located at Sandling, next to Allington Locks, on the east bank of the River Medway. It covers 28 acres of countryside including the Allington Castle estate.
It is one of the few remaining places in Britain where hops are grown, harvested, dried and packed in its magnificent Oast house, by hand, using only time honoured, traditional techniques.
Leeds Castle
'Castle of Queens, Queen of Castles'
Leeds Castle is listed in the Domesday Book and has been a Norman stronghold, a royal residence and a royal palace. Its surroundings are breathtaking as the castle is set on two islands surrounded by a spectacular lake.
Over the centuries, the castle has been home to six medieval queens – Eleanor, Isabella, Philippa of Hainhault (wife of Edward III), Joan of Navarre, Catherine de Valois and Catherine of Aragon. The impressive Leeds Castle is nowadays often referred to as the “Castle of Queens, Queen of Castles”.
Nearby places to visit
London: 40 miles or 1 hour by train
Folkestone: 36 miles
Dover: 41 miles
Royal Tunbridge Wells: 17 miles
Rochester: 11 miles
From nearby Ashford International you can be in Lille via Eurostar in under 60 minutes and Paris in 2h 30min.
Chilton Manor Farm
We all know that getting out and about in the fresh air is good for both mental and physical health, so why not combine it with stocking up on tasty fresh produce too? Chilton Manor Farm in Sittingbourne is a great destination local to Mote House and offers a huge range of 'pick your own' produce, from strawberries and blackberries in spring to apples, pears and pumpkins in autumn.
