Top Things To Do at Mote Park, Maidstone: Complete Guide for 2025

Mote Park Overview

• Lakeside & Waterfall: Central lake for boating, fishing, duck feeding, and scenic walks with historic waterfall views.
• Play Areas & Outdoor Gym: Family-friendly playgrounds near the main car park and School Lane, plus outdoor training equipment.
• Sports Facilities: Historic Mote Cricket Club, Maidstone Rugby Club grounds, plus football and rugby pitches available for hire.
• Adventure Zone: BMX track, climbing wall, Sky Trail ropes course, skate park, and adventure golf.
• Woodlands & Japanese Garden: Peaceful nature trails and champion tree walks for quiet exploration.
• Leisure Centre: Swimming pools, gym, sports hall, soft play, and cafe for all-weather activities.
• Mote House & Senior Facilities: Romney Restaurant, health and wellbeing centre, indoor bowls, fitness room and osteopathic clinic.
• Access & Parking: Main car park, School Lane entrance, and multiple pedestrian routes with accessible paths.

A standout feature is the historic ragstone waterfall, beautifully restored to enhance the park’s natural beauty and support local wildlife. With extensive walking and cycling paths, watersports on the 30-acre lake, children’s play areas, and thrilling adventure activities, Mote Park offers something for everyone all year round.

Mote Park Lake and Duck Feeding

The park’s 30-acre lake is a haven for wildlife, including ducks, swans, and geese. Visitors can feed ducks with recommended healthy options like oats or sweetcorn (available on site for £1.50 per bag). The lake is also central to popular watersports such as boat and pedalo hire, kayaking, and fishing (permits required). This tranquil setting makes for a peaceful retreat just minutes from Maidstone town centre.

History of Mote Park & The Old Boathouse

Dating back to the 13th century, Mote Park was once a royal estate tied to monarchs like Edward IV and Henry VIII. It evolved from a medieval deer park into a grand country estate featuring exotic gardens, historic cricket facilities, and the elegant Mote House. Over time, the park served varied roles, including an orphanage and wartime headquarters.

A notable historic landmark is the Old Boathouse, built in the 1830s to regulate lake water flow for local mills. Now a focal point for lakeside heritage trails, it embodies Mote Park’s rich past and ongoing community importance.

Outdoor Activities & Attractions

Walking & Cycling Trails

Explore miles of accessible paths for walking, running, and cycling around lakes, woodlands, and grasslands. Download a tree trail guide or pick up orienteering maps at the cafe for an interactive adventure.

Orienteering is an outdoor activity where you use a map to navigate between checkpoints. You can walk or run, making it a mix of exercise, exploration and problem-solving that’s fun for all ages.

Parkrun runners will be impressed with serene atmosphere at 9 AM on Saturdays as this is popular route despite there being 2 Parkruns in Maidstone.

Playgrounds

Mote Park boasts four distinct children’s play areas, making it one of the best destinations for family days out in Kent.

• Main Play Area: Located by the main car park, this expansive playground was fully refurbished in 2019 and is packed with engaging equipment for children of all ages. Expect climbing frames, trampolines, slides, monkey bars, and a thrilling zip wire, divided into separate zones for younger and older children. During summer, this area is bustling and provides plenty of space for active play.
• School Lane Play Area: Situated by the School Lane entrance, this smaller site features age-appropriate equipment for energetic fun and makes it easy for families visiting the east side of the park.
• Woodland Play Zone: Designed for kids aged 8–15, the natural woodland play area offers adventure in a scenic setting. Young explorers can navigate obstacles and test their skills among the trees.
• Inclusive Play Facilities: The Mote Park Inclusive Play Area was developed in collaboration with local charities. Wide ramps and accessible surfaces ensure children of all abilities can enjoy the playground. The equipment is wheelchair-friendly, making Mote Park one of the most inclusive Maidstone parks for family outings.

Sports & Adventure Activities

• Sky Trail at Mote Park Outdoor Adventure: Featuring 32 ft or 16 ft climbing ropes, the Sky trail contains walkways, nets and beams across this course. Test your climbing skills, balance, coordination and more. Prices start at £13.95 for juniors (children) and £15.95 for adults. Concession are available for families. Walk in charges apply so its best to book in advance. Note that there are age, height and weight restrictions.
• Maidstone Cygnets Model Boat Club: This 32 ft climbing wall will test your climbing skills, strength and stamina. Prices start at £8.95 for juniors (children) and £9.95 for adults. Concession are available for families. Walk in charges apply so its best to book in advance. Note that there are age, height and weight restrictions.
• Dino Adventure Golf: Play 18 holes in a dinosaur-themed setting. This dinosaur themes golf course is part of Mote Park Outdoor Adventure. Prices start at £8.95 for juniors (children) and £9.95 for adults. Concession are available for families. Walk in charges apply so its best to book in advance.
• BMX track: Mote Park offers a free BMX track called ‘Red Bull’ digger BMX Track. It is complete with jumps and turns.
• Skate Park: There is also skate park for skateboarders and scooters. It features ramps, quarter-pipes, half-pipes and more.
• Segway terrain tours were available in the past where you could hire Segways for a spin on a dedicated track, available monthly. These are no longer available but we hope they come back.

Open Fields and Team Sports at Mote Park

Mote Park is celebrated for its expansive open fields and well-maintained sports pitches, ideal for a variety of outdoor activities, including football, rugby, frisbee, yoga, and group fitness sessions. Visitors can enjoy casual play, dog walking, or family picnics in the tranquil parkland. For organised sports, football and rugby pitches are available for hire, catering to both casual players and competitive clubs.

The park has a rich sporting heritage with the longstanding Mote Cricket Club, established in 1857, offering cricket facilities for all skill levels. Nearby, the Maidstone Rugby Club, founded in 1880, contributes to the park’s vibrant community sports scene. For indoor sports, Mote Park Indoor Bowls Club provides eight rinks, a restaurant, and a bar for its members.

Lake & Watersports

Mote Park Watersports Centre

Mote Park Watersports Centre is a top-rated destination for aquatic adventures in Kent:

• Watersports: Popular activities include stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, canoeing, sailing, dragon boating, raft-building, power boating, bell boating, scuba diving, windsurfing, swimming lessons, film shoots, birthday parties, DofE adventures, and corporate team-building events.
• Boat & Pedalo Hire: Visitors can rent traditional rowboats and pedalos daily for relaxing on the scenic 30-acre lake.
• Pricing: Boat hire costs £20 for half an hour or £25 for an hour. Paddlesports costs £20 per hour.
• Model Boating: The Maidstone Cygnets Model Boat Club offers regular demonstrations. Spectators and keen hobbyists alike can enjoy watching or participating in model boat events on the water. Model boating is where people build and sail miniature boats.

Angling

Anglers regard Mote Park as a prime fishing destination in Maidstone:

• Species Available: Carp, bream, and other freshwater varieties populate the lake.
• Permits & Licenses: Purchase a fishing permit and rod license from the local angling society, Maidstone Victory Angling Society. Memberships are currently suspended and therefore cannot be obtained at the present time. You can check out their website for updates to memberships, rules, and season details. We hope memberships become available again so fishing enthusiasts do not miss out.

Entertainment & Community Events

Mote Park Events

Mote Park hosts some of the biggest outdoor events and festivals in Kent:

• Music Festivals & Concerts: Summer brings large-scale music festivals, concerts, and outdoor movie nights that attract thousands of visitors yearly.
• Charity Runs & Parkrun: Weekly 5K Parkrun events, annual funfairs, and seasonal family days provide variety and excitement for all ages.
• Workshops, Cultural Festivals & Wildlife Walks: Experience the Maidstone Mela, guided nature tours, and creative workshops throughout the year.

Indoor Leisure & Fitness

Adjacent to the park, Maidstone Leisure Centre offers high-quality facilities for health, play, and fitness:

• Children’s Indoor Play Area & Cafe: The Amazon Adventure soft play zone welcomes kids up to 12, with slides, climbing frames, ball pits, and an area for under-5s. A cafe serves snacks and drinks for parents and children.
• Swimming Pools: Enjoy a full fitness pool, diving boards, wave machines, and child-friendly flume rides.
• Fitness Gym & Sports Hall: Modern exercise equipment, weights, and areas for badminton, basketball, and group classes ensure that everyone can stay active year-round.

More Unique Experiences

Model Railway

Run by the Maidstone Model Engineering Society, affordable rides (just 30p) operate every Sunday in summer and on holidays. This is a highlight for children and railway fans.

Nature & Tree Trails: Champion Trees & Heritage Trails

The Kent Heritage Tree Project has mapped out a unique tree trail. Download a guide from the park’s website or pick one up at the cafe to discover the biology and history of 15 champion trees on a self-guided walking tour, perfect for nature lovers and families.

Volunteering & Learning

Educational Activity Packs: Fun, interactive packs with maps, trails, and nature activities for children ages 4–11 are available in the cafe. These make every visit educational and enjoyable for families.

Mote Park Fellowship: Join local volunteers every Wednesday morning to help maintain and enhance the park and participate in community events.

Eating & Drinking

Mote Park Cafe

Open year-round, serving hot and cold food, snacks, ice cream, drinks, and accommodating outdoor seating.

Romney Restaurant & Bistro

Visitors can enjoy fine dining at the Romney Restaurant & Bistro located at historic Mote House.

Picnic Areas

Plenty of picnic tables and grass spots; bring your own or take away from the cafe.

Mote House Facilities and Wellness Services

Mote House, a beautifully restored Grade II, listed Georgian mansion located within Mote Park, is home to the exclusive Audley Club, a luxury health and leisure club designed especially for residents and members aged 55 and over. Membership includes access to a gym, fitness studio with classes, a heated indoor swimming pool with a relaxation area, and a professional hair salon offering treatments and spa therapies, including manicures, massages, and facials.

The Romney Restaurant & Bistro

Dining options at Mote House are highlighted by The Romney Restaurant & Bistro, serving delicious, locally sourced seasonal British cuisine in a serene, elegant setting. The restaurant also features a bar and bistro area for casual meals and drinks, completing the wellness lifestyle experience.

Bearsted Osteopathic Clinic

The Bearsted Osteopathic Clinic, based at Mote House, provides professional osteopathy and wellbeing services with gym and pool memberships available to retirement-aged patients, further enhancing the holistic health offerings available on site.

Audley Care

Audley Care supports residents with personalised care and support services, allowing individuals to live independently with peace of mind in a secure, community-focused environment.

Practical Tips & Visitor Info

• Entry: Free to visit on foot but car park fees will apply; activities/events/cafe have fees. See below the FAQs about parking for more information.
• Opening Times: Park is open daily, 8 AM to dusk (just after sunset); Watersports Centre and Leisure Centre check for seasonal hours.
• Parking: Large pay-and-display car parks near the main entrances; school lane parking available.
• Accessibility: Paths, toilets, and the cafe have disabled access
• Dogs: Welcome on leads in most areas.
• Accommodation: No hotel inside the park, but options nearby and in Maidstone town for all budgets.

How to Get to Mote Park

Mote Park is centrally located in Maidstone, Kent, making it easily accessible by car, public transport, walking, and cycling.

By Car

The main entrance and car park are on Mote Avenue (postcode ME15 7SU) with pay-and-display parking available. Parking is free from 8 AM to 10 AM, then £2 for up to 6 hours, and £12 for 6-14 hours. Maidstone residents can purchase season tickets for discounted rates.

By Public Transport

The 85 bus is the most convenient option that stops the closest to the entrance to Mote Park. Multiple other bus routes serve stops but with a longer walking distance. Maidstone East train station is approximately a 25-minute bus ride away, with a direct taxi taking about 5 minutes.

Walking & Cycling

Mote Park is a 25-minute walk from Maidstone town centre where there is a bus station. Pedestrian and cycle paths lead to various park entrances.

Mote Park is a Must-Visit Destination in Maidstone

Mote Park is Maidstone’s ultimate outdoor escape, combining natural beauty, historic charm, diverse activities, and community spirit. Whether for a family day out, sports, cultural events, or relaxation, Mote Park delivers memorable experiences for all visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions