Mote Park

Type:Parkland / Woodland Garden

Mote Avenue, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7SU

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Mote Park in Autumn

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About

Discover why Mote Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Maidstone. Find out how this magnificent park has survived since medieval times and what there is to see and do here now.

An Award-Winning Park

Mote Park is a huge green space in the heart of Maidstone and is extremely popular with both visitors and locals alike. In 2015, it placed third in the People’s Choice for their Favourite Green Flag Park. Covering over 450 acres, it includes natural features such as grassland, woodland, rivers and a 30 acre lake. The vast numbers of mature trees create a beautiful, tranquil landscape offering cool shade in the summer and glorious colour in autumn. It is also home to over-wintering birds, many of whom stay to nest and raise their chicks here in the spring. 


Things to Do in Mote Park

Walking and Cycling

Mote Park is great for walking and cycling with lots of paths and trails to follow throughout the park. For the more adventurous, there is a BMX track. This is great fun and free and, with practice, it’s possible to get faster at completing the course. The jumps and spins add an extra dimension and the track offers a great challenge for those bringing their bikes on holiday.

Segway

For a different two-wheeled experience, Segways are available for hire around a dedicated course for one week every month. Please check the operator’s website for dates and availability (www.segwayevents.co.uk)

Model Railway

Model enthusiasts will love the model railway. Operated by the Maidstone Model Engineering Society, this is ideal for all the family. It runs every Sunday during British Summer Time and on Boxing Day from 2.30pm to 5pm.  Cost is 30p per ride.  Model boats can also be found on the lake. These are organised and run by The Maidstone Cygnets Model Boat Club.

Children's Play Areas

Mote Park Play Area

The fantasic play areas are enjoyed by many families, including a natural woodland play area for ages 8 to 15 years and a skate park.To keep the kids entertained, there are two children’s play areas. The largest is near the main car park and a smaller area can be found near the School Lane entrance.

​​​​Mote Park Outdoor Adventure

Mote Park Outdoor Adventure

Plenty of adrenaline filled action to try. Climb high on the 32ft Sky Trail or the 32ft Climbing Wall. There are ground level actvities too, with a Segway course or  9 holes of Dino Mini Golf. Open weekends Easte to October and daily through the school holidays. Find out more about Mote Park Outdoor Adventure

Mote Park Watersport Centre

Mote Park Watersports

Water babies are spoilt for choice withy a variety of sailing, boating, diving and swimming facilities on the lake. You can try out rowing and windsurfing too, or just get the family into a pedalo swan and explore the islands, reeds and trees. Open all year round for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, boat hire and more. The lake is a very safe venue with shallow waters, no boat traffic and no moving currents. Find out more about Mote Park Watersport Centre


Events and Festivals

Events at Mote Park

Mote Park plays host to a variety of events throughout the year. These include large music festivals, ticketed events, outdoor theatre and charity fun runs. Smaller events are also organised by the volunteers, such as wildlife data capture and bird/bat watching. Check out Events in Mote Park for more details about dates and times.

 


Food and Drink

The new Mote Park Café is now open. An exciting menu of tasty dishes, hot and cold drinks, light bites and snacks are available.


Sports Facilities

Mote Park is a great place to get active. Whatever your current fitness level or sporting interest, you are sure to find something to suit you. 

Maidstone Leisure Centre

The centre backs on to the park and includes a fitness pool, diving pool, teaching pools and a leisure pool with waves and flume. The centre also has a fitness gym, sports hall, children’s play area and café making it an ideal venue whatever the weather. If you prefer to exercise in the open air, then head towards the main car park in Mote Park where you will find some outdoor training equipment. Find out more about Maidstone Leisure Centre

Angling 

Keen fishermen can apply for a daily permit to fish in the park. You will need your rod licence to buy a permit and the service is managed by Maidstone Victory Angling and Medway Preservation Society. To buy a permit, you will need a rod licence. You need to bring a copy of your rod licence with you to get the permit. They are £6 a day for adults and £3 a day for children.   Permits are available online for members of  Maidstone Victory Angling and Medway Preservation Society.

Permits can also be purchased at::

Nick’s Tackle Shop
10 Knightrider Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME15 6LP
01622 673899
 
The Maidstone Angling Centre
15 Perryfield Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 2SY
01622 200000

Mote Cricket Club

The cricket club provides cricket facilities for all levels and has existed at the park since 1857. Maidstone Rugby Club also has a long association with the park having been founded in 1880. It plays at the cricket club in Mote Park. 

Football and Rugby Pitches

There are many public football and rugby pitches available for hire. Find out more about hiring a football pitch

Mote Park Indoor Bowls Club

This is a private members club with 8 rinks, a restaurant and bar. New members are always welcome.


A Brief History

Mote Park was originally the main water source for a Roman villa. Then, in later years, Mote Park House became a country estate and the owners planted and developed the park around their home. The original mansion house was demolished in 1793 and rebuilt by 1800. At this time, the River Len was also dammed to form the lake and internal roads were added, along with walls, a boathouse and a bridge over the lake (now demolished). The lake was then expanded to 30 acres and surrounding land was purchased to extend the park.

The park was bought by Maidstone Borough Council in 1929 at a cost of £50,000 and is now looked after by the Council and an amazing team of volunteers.


Parking

There are three car parks, all with disabled parking.

Ticket 8am - 10am Up to 6 hours after 10am Over 6 hours
Daily Ticket Free £2 £12
Residents Annual Season Ticket -- £40 --

All the money raised goes back into maintaining the park.

Disabled Parking

Parking is free for blue badge holders, if all the bays are full you may park in a standard bay so long as the blue badge is clearly on display.

The bays are located at:

  • Mote Park Main (next to Café) has 13 disabled bays
  • School Lane has 2 disabled bays
  • Burning Ground has 2 disabled bays

Get Involved

Mote Park Fellowship is a group of volunteers who help to look after and maintain the park. 

For parks related enquiries please email the Parks and Open Spaces Team at Maidstone Borough Council

For events and filming permission please email the Events Team at Maidstone Borough Council

For general information about visiting Mote Park please contact Maidstone Visitor Information on 01622 602169 or email Maidstone Visitor Information

Book Tickets

Guide Prices

Entry to the park is free.
Car parking: From 8am -10am - free. After 10am up to 6 hours - £2. Over 6 hours - £12. Maidstone Residents can apply for an annual season ticket.

Events

Saturday, 27th May 2023 - Sunday, 4th June 2023

Child on polar adventureHoliday Activities
more info

Tuesday, 30th May 2023 - Friday, 2nd June 2023

Kids in PoolSuperstars Holiday ClubFun and inclusive sessions supported by our fully trained instructors - a great way to get children moving, build confident and make new friends.
more info

Friday, 2nd June 2023 - Friday, 2nd June 2023

We Love 80s graphic with Tony HadleyWe Love 80sMaidstone’s picturesque Mote Park will yet again be the setting for another amazing live show and this time it comes in the form of an 80’s celebration, featuring Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet and Go West!
more info

Saturday, 3rd June 2023 - Saturday, 3rd June 2023

Orchestra at end of setSummertime Live with Classical IbizaSummertime Live is back Featuring a bigger line up and a brand new day festival, headlined by Classic Ibiza…
more info

Sunday, 11th June 2023 - Sunday, 11th June 2023

Running in the bubblesBubble RushBubble Rush is back for 2023 at Mote Park, Maidstone! Join us for a sudsy spectacle in June with your friends and family!
more info

Saturday, 1st July 2023 - Saturday, 1st July 2023

Sunday, 2nd July 2023 - Sunday, 2nd July 2023

Race for Life Crowd dressed in pinkMaidstone Race for Life & Pretty MuddyThe Race for Life is Cancer Research UK's biggest series of fundraising events.
more info

Friday, 14th July 2023 - Saturday, 15th July 2023

Revival in the Park Lineup 2023Revival in the ParkRevival In The Park returns to Maidstone’s Mote Park, celebrating the fifth anniversary of the show with their first ever camping weekender!
more info

Friday, 21st July 2023 - Sunday, 23rd July 2023

Maid of Stone Full LineupMaid of Stone FestivalA brand new, diverse and hard rocking festival, bringing rock music and it’s fans back to Maidstone’s Mote Park!
more info

Saturday, 5th August 2023 - Sunday, 6th August 2023

Rock the MoteRock the MoteThe exciting festival returns to Maidstone's Mote Park on Saturday 5th August 2023, featuring some of the UK's best tribute performances, celebrating artists from both past and present.
more info

Facilities

Other

  • Dogs Accepted
  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Family Fun
  • Groups Accepted
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals
  • On-Site café/restaurant
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Parking (charge) - £2 for up to 6hrs Charges apply from 10am to midnight
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Picnic Site
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Provider Preferences

  • In town/city centre

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
  • Travelers Choice 2022
  • Excellent
    605
  • Very Good
    302
  • Average
    74
  • Poor
    14
  • Terrible
    15

Recent Reviews:

  • edithcS8000VI
    Rochester, United Kingdom
    Trip Type:
    Family
    Mote Park Watersport Centre
    5 of 5 stars
    Saturday, 4th March 2023
    We took the kids to the Paddle Disccover canoeing session at Mote Park Watersport Centre and it was brilliant! Kieran, the instructor, is a great teacher: really clear and practical, but also... Read full review
  • Maureen W
    Fantastic experience, was very nervous at first but Kieran helped me a lot .
    5 of 5 stars
    Saturday, 1st April 2023
    My first paddle board experience, Kieran the instructor was superb very patient and helpful, his reassurance put me at ease straight away . Will be booking a full day with him asap. Read full review
  • GingerMatt34
    Swanley, United Kingdom
    Mote Park Watersport Centre
    5 of 5 stars
    Saturday, 29th April 2023
    Just wanted to give a big shout out to the team at the Mote Park Watersport Centre, made us feel very relaxed and confident to go out on the beautiful lake! It’s a lot bigger than it looks so great... Read full review

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Open Christmas
Open New Year
2023 opening (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)
2023 opening (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)

* Park open 08:00 until dusk every day.

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