Maidstone's Iguanodon
The Iguanodon has come to be synonymous with Maidstone ever since the remains of one of the species were discovered during a quarry excavation on Queen's Road in 1834.
The fossil unearthed was huge and it was pretty obvious that the bone was from an animal of tremendous size.
The bone, as it turned out after further research and investigation, was one piece of a partial skeleton, that of an Iguanodon.
Iguanodons were large, bulky herbivores that existed between 126 and 125 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period, and were known to have a large, tall but narrow skull with toothless beaks.
The name Iguanodon means iguana-tooth, noting the similarity of the dinosaur’s jaw and teeth to that of the iguana.
The Iguanodon was about 5 metres tall and about 11 metres long, weighing up to four or five tons with powerful back legs and a massive tail to help it balance.
The other distinctive features of the Iguanodon are the large thumb spikes, used for self-defence, and long prehensile fingers, perfect for foraging food.
An internationally significant find, the Maidstone Iguanodon fossils proved crucial to paleontological understanding of the species’ skeleton, size and how the bones of an Iguanodon fitted together.
Previously, the Iguanodon was believed to be much smaller and more like an iguana.
The actual bones of the Maidstone Iguanodon are housed in the Natural History Museum, but a cast of the bones, named 'Iggy', can be seen on display at Maidstone Museum in the Kent Earth Heritage Gallery as part of a permanent exhibit.
Such was the importance of the find, and so entwined in Maidstone's history has the Iguanodon become, that in 1946 Maidstone Borough Council applied to have the dinosaur added to the Coat of Arms and the request was approved by the Garter Principal King of Arms.
Highlights
Orida Maidstone Hotel
Within easy reach of the town centre and ideally placed to visit the attractions of Kent and…
Weald of Kent Golf Course & Hotel
Fancy a rural retreat? The Weald of Kent provides a stunning venue, set in the rolling Kent…
Holiday Inn Maidstone - Sevenoaks
The Holiday Inn is a modern stylish hotel offering, a Kentish Barn style exterior appearance, but…
Leeds Castle Stable Courtyard Bed & Breakfast and Maiden's Tower Bed & Breakfast
The Stable Courtyard Bedrooms are within the grounds of Leeds Castle estate. The luxury en-suite…
Lakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle
Experience the beauty of nature and indulge in the novel Lakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle, providing…
Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club
Discover the great British countryside within a stones throw at Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country…
Riseden Bed & Breakfast
Riseden bed and breakfast is located at the end of a quiet lane within walking distance to local…
Stable Oak Cottages
A beautiful selection of three quintessential Kent cottages all nestled at the foot of the North…
Village Hotel
Comfortable modern hotel with superb leisure facilities, located just off M20 junction 6. A choice…
Chilston Park Hotel
An elegant 17th Century classic British country house hotel set in verdant parkland in Kent,…
The Grape Escape
Set in a pretty rural location, providing a special getaway for two in the glorious Kent…
Tilmangate Barn
Surrounded by woodland, orchards and arable farmland complete with grazing sheep, this is the…
Kits Coty Glamping
Ami and Mark welcome you to their award winning family run glamping site in Kent. Ideally located…
Sandhole Barn
Sandhole Barn provides a comfortable and convenient base, whether you are looking for a relaxing…
Rankins Farm Glamping
Brand new camping cabins, close to the village of Linton in the Kent countryside, bounded by plum…
Knight's Glamping at Leeds Castle
Ever wondered what life was like to be a Medieval knight? Well now you can experience it - in…
Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel
Stay in the heart of the "Garden of England" next to the regal Leeds Castle, one of Kent's biggest…
- 1Orida Maidstone Hotel
- 2Weald of Kent Golf Course & Hotel
- 3Holiday Inn Maidstone - Sevenoaks
- 4Leeds Castle Stable Courtyard Bed & Breakfast and Maiden's Tower Bed & Breakfast
- 5Lakeside Lodges at Leeds Castle
- 6Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club
- 7Riseden Bed & Breakfast
- 8Stable Oak Cottages
- 9Village Hotel
- 10Chilston Park Hotel
- 11The Grape Escape
- 12Tilmangate Barn
- 13Kits Coty Glamping
- 14Sandhole Barn
- 15Rankins Farm Glamping
- 16Knight's Glamping at Leeds Castle
- 17Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel