Visit Maidstone Blog: museum

If you're looking for something a little different to do in Maidstone, you may well find a visit to Maidstone Museum on Saturday, January 23 offers a day out that guarantees entertainment. As part of the museum's Magic of Masks and Puppets exhibition - which runs until February 20 - a special appearance by Aslan from 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' will can be enjoyed.

Of course, it's not going to be a real lion - or even Liam Neeson, for that matter - but instead a magnificent puppet version that first appeared in the Hazlitt Theatre's production back in 2013. Crafted by the team behind the ever-popular War Horse production, the life-sized lion puppet will be operated by performers from the Hazlitt Youth Theatre from 11am until 12.30pm, and will provide a fascinating insight into the dexterity and skill required of puppeteers in modern theatre productions.

Speaking about the event, Maidstone Museum's Interpretation and Exhibitions Manager Lyn Palmer said: "We’re delighted to be able to bring this magnificent version of Aslan to Maidstone Museum. To be able to have the Hazlitt Youth Theatre perform with the model perfectly complements the current Magic of Masks and Puppets exhibition on show at the museum, and represents a wonderful display of modern puppetry in the world of theatre.

"We’ve had a great reception for the Magic of Masks and Puppets exhibition at the museum, so welcoming Aslan represents an added bonus for visitors on the Saturday. The history of puppetry has provided a fascinating education for everyone fortunate enough to see the display and, with this live demonstration, it promises to be equally as fun and entertaining."

Entry to the demonstration of Aslan begins at 11am on January 23, so make sure you're up and about early to avoid missing out.

Regardless of your personal interests or the time of year, being able to find activities that are free is always a rewarding experience. Across Maidstone, the number of free things to do is extensive, with a host of attractions open all-year round. From soaking up the culture and history of some of the region’s most historic buildings and artefacts, to heading out on foot to explore a selection of wide open spaces and the glory of the Kent countryside, there is plenty to see and do across the Maidstone region without spending a single penny.

Below, we take a look at the top five free things to do in Maidstone. Whether you’re travelling alone, with friends, or as a family, you’re certain to experience something unforgettable during your time in the region.

Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery

What can we say about Maidstone Museum that hasn’t been said time and again? As far as regional museums go, few across the South East can rival the magnificent collections on display on St Faith’s Street in Maidstone. Here you can find collections dedicated to dinosaurs, Japanese artwork, and ancient Egyptians – with the 2,700-year-old Ta-Kesh mummy a particular favourite among children and adults alike. In addition, touring exhibitions are in regular attendance at the museum, with the hugely popular Brick City LEGO exhibition, the Ralph Steadman Collection, and Contemporary British Watercolours among those that have wowed visitors throughout 2015.

No visit to Maidstone is complete without a visit to Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery, so ensure you drop in during your stay to explore more than 660,000 artefacts.

Mote Park

We’ve written before about some of the best reasons to visit Mote Park, but there really is no end to the appeal offered by this region of outstanding natural beauty. Here you can sit back and watch the world go by, take your dog for a walk, drop the kids off in the play area, or even take to the waters to enjoy a number of activities. Regardless of your own passion, this magnificent area in the heart of Maidstone is a stunning retreat from the modern town centre, and where peace and quiet mix with glorious country scenery.

Headcorn Aerodrome

One of the most fascinating attractions in the borough of Maidstone, Headcorn Aerodrome is a hive of activity all-year round, putting on an array of shows and exhibitions, displays and activities that will sate the desires of all ages. Whether you wish to enjoy acrobatic displays of aviation daring, watch from afar as the Aero Legends embark on one of its flybys in a traditional Spitfire, or come along in support of the many skydivers plunging from above for charity, a visit to Headcorn Aerodrome is great fun for all. You can even choose to simply enjoy a cup of coffee in the on-site cafeteria and watch on as the airfield’s activities continue around you.

Shopping

Ok, so shopping may well require you to spend a few pounds here and there, but actually embarking on a trip into Maidstone town centre costs nothing. Fremlin Walk provides a modern environment in which to invest in high-street fashion and leading produce, while The Mall hosts a range of recognisable names in which to purchase all the items you’ll ever need. You can even visit one of the many local farmers’ markets to savour the local produce from the Maidstone region.

Country walks

A number of history and nature trails provide a walking experience that will take the breath away. From exploration of the North Downs to following a path along the River Medway, embarking on a walk of the famed Pilgrim’s Way to joining an exploration of Maidstone’s many historic sites, joining a walk through the region promises to uncover a host of memorable attractions. Rambling through undulating landscapes, exploring the magnificent flora and fauna, and even just taking in stunning views across the Kent countryside promises to provide a true taste of life in the South East, and is one of the very best ways to discover more of this compelling region.

To find out more about what to see and do in Maidstone, visit our full website today.

About the author

Michael is a member of the marketing team at Visit Maidstone and is an experienced writer. He has a passion for history and cinema, and likes nothing more than combining the two. View more by Michael.

As one of the most fascinating attractions in all of the Maidstone borough, Maidstone Museum features a wide range of fascinating artefacts and collections stretching back millennia. With over 600,000 items in the collection, including the only mummy in Kent, the museum offers something for history buffs of all ages.

To celebrate the diversity and compelling nature of the museum, a detailed infographic has been compiled to detail a few pertinent facts relating to the museum.

About the author

Maidstone Museum has been spoilt recently, with the magnificent Brick City exhibition by renowned LEGO^® artist Warren Elsmore being on display to residents and visitors of Maidstone. The exhibition, which runs throughout the summer holiday, has been an eagerly anticipated since it was first announced, with kids (of all ages!) excited by the potential of seeing some of the world's most iconic landmarks in miniature form.

Once the time came to open the exhibition, there was no disappointment to be found, with Elsmore's meticulously crafted displays simply breathtaking. Taking in a number of iconic attractions and evoking the spirit of some of the world's most vibrant events, the Brick City exhibition has proved a massive hit, with children and adults alike revelling in the enduring appeal of the famous toy.

To mark the success of the success of the exhibit, and to celebrate the fantastic work of Elsmore and the entire team at Maidstone Museum, we're pleased to provide out five favourite LEGO^® structures of the Brick City exhibition.

1. St Pancras International, London

Comprised of a staggering 180,000 pieces, the magnificent recreation of St Pancras International station in London is arguably the star of the Brick City exhibition show. This grand structure, which is set in a room away from the rest of the exhibition, features a number of 'Easter Eggs', with miniature replicas of such notable characters as Robin Hood, Batman, and more hidden among the crowds.

2. Colosseum, Rome

It's one of the most awe-inspiring feats of architecture anywhere in the world, so it's no surprise that the miniature LEGO^® is equally as impressive. Though the design looks somewhat sparse and simple, construction was anything but, taking nearly 3,000 pieces to complete. It's not quite big enough to host gladiatorial battles, but it's certainly big enough to impress!

3. Mona Lisa, Paris

Arguably the most famous image ever painted, the majestic Mona Lisa is painstakingly recreated in LEGO^® for the Brick City exhibition at Maidstone Museum. Tucked away in the corner of the exhibition room, you'd be forgiven for letting it pass you by, but missing out would be a fantastic shame. Unfortunately, we're no closer to understanding the mysterious smile of the figure in da Vinci's masterpiece, but it remain a fascinating sight to behold.

4. Olympic Park, London

Another structure that almost defies expectations, this painstaking recreation of the Olympic Stadium in London is magnificently detailed representation of a modern sporting arena. More than 120,000 LEGO^® pieces were used in the construction of the model, but its intricacy is enough to evoke the memories of Mo Farah, Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis, and many more.

5. Macy's Parade, New York

Though is may be a tradition we're not quite familiar with here in the UK, this exceptional representation of the renowned Macy's Mayday Parade is magnificent in its detail. Featuring a host of figures all in parade, as well as the replicas of the grand balloons that form part of the celebration, this is a wonderful display of colour and vibrancy.