Mote Park is a gem at the heart of Maidstone in Kent, full of wildlife, with a lake and plenty of activities such as the cafe, play area, model boats and more!
Arguably the biggest attraction of the park for many, the lake. The lake features a historical boat house, a range of wildlife and a duck food dispenser too. There’s also a dedicated walk around the lake, which is probably about 3 or 4 miles of walking.
During the summer months, the lake can become crowded with Geese and ducks, which you really can hear for quite some distance.
Elsewhere in the park, you can be greeted with plants, flowers etc full of bees and colour, especially in spring and autumn.
Throughout the park are large fields with dedicated pathways, perfect for a slow walk around while admiring the view. You’ll see large sections of wild growth buzzing with insects.
There are many entrances to the park, being the main entrance which features a long road lined with trees, which is absolutely beautiful in autumn or even at a sunrise. Be mindful that on a good day or school holidays, this entrance can become extremely crowded, even overfilling the overflow car park! One thing to mention at this stage is parking is paid and the parking meters are in each car park, and can also be paid via phone using the RingGo parking app.
Coming into the park from the School Lane entrance however is usually much quieter and allows for a more relaxed walk around the park. After a short walk from this entrance, you come across a little bridge over the lake, which can be home to all sorts of ducks, geese etc.
With a little further walking, you can reach the Volunteers Pavillion, a monument built around 1801, showcasing the parks history, which actually goes back to the 12th and 13th century.
In recognition of Lord Romney’s generosity, the officers of the Militia decided to commission the circular building, known as The Volunteers Pavilion, which was completed around 1801. It sits at the end of the Long Valley near where the original Mote House once stood. It is thought to mark the spot where the royal marquee had been erected for the Review. - Mote Park’s Story’ by Simon Ginnaw and Robin Ambrose, 2018 & Maidstone Borough Council
Mote Park is a beautiful spot for photography, viewing nature and a great place for walking. The post here covers just a fraction of the walking areas and what the park has to offer.
