2pm – Afternoon Full Tour

Forget lists of dates and dusty facts. This is Maidstone’s history told through stories, tales of rebellion, murder, inventions, battles, brewing, public executions and a few characters you may never have heard of.

For around 2 hours and approximately 2 miles, we’ll explore the river and streets of Maidstone and uncover some of the extraordinary events and people that have shaped the town.

Story Highlights

THE HANGMAN’S NOOSE – PENENDEN HEATH
A thousand years of public executions and the grim business of the hangman.

TILLING STEVENS AND THE ELECTRIC BUS (1906)
Really, electric busses in 1906

BLOODY MARY AND MAIDSTONE’S MARTYRES (1557)
The dangerous consequences of religious change under Queen Mary I.

THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT AND THE 14-YEAR-OLD KING (1381)
When rebellion reached Maidstone and a teenage monarch faced one of England’s most famous uprisings.

BILLY ROOTES, THE APPRENTICE WHO BOUGHT THE COMPANY (1909)
The remarkable story of a local boy who went on to build a motoring empire.

CIVIL WAR THE BATTLE OF MAIDSTONE (1648)
When fighting came directly to the streets of the town.

MAIDSTONE AND THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1854)
Half a league, half a league, half a league onward.
All in the valley of Death rode the six hundred.

TWO BISHOPS AND ENGLAND’S FIRST DOCUMENTED LEGAL TRIAL (1076)
A medieval dispute that offers a glimpse into the birth of England’s legal system.

FREMLINS BREWERY, WE TOAST THE NOUGHTY GREMLIN (1861)
The story behind one of Maidstone’s best-known breweries and Robin Hoodfellow the mischievous character associated with it.

GRIZZLY EXECUTIONS AT MAIDSTONE PRISON (1830 – 1930)
Some of the darker stories connected with the prison and those who met their fate there.

Come for the history. Stay for the stories.

A walk through Maidstone’s past that brings the people, characters and events behind the dates back to life.