The Old Palace Gardens, Maidstone

The Old Palace Gardens sit on the west bank of the River Medway in the heart of Maidstone, wrapped around the medieval Archbishop's Palace, the parish church of All Saints and the historic buildings of Mill Street. The gardens form part of one of the finest ecclesiastical group of medieval buildings in Kent, with the palace once serving as a stopping-place for the Archbishops of Canterbury on their journeys between Canterbury and London.

You can wander lawns, mature trees and riverside paths, with views across the Medway to Lockmeadow and the town bridges. Benches and planted borders make it a pleasant spot to pause, and the gardens are regularly used for open-air performances, community events and as a peaceful lunch stop for people working in the town.

Combine a visit with the Archbishop's Palace, All Saints' Church and the nearby Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages, all within a short walk. The 23 bus from Maidstone town centre passes close by on its way south to the Farleighs and Goudhurst.