Maidstone is the county town of Kent, sitting in the Medway valley amid some of the prettiest countryside in south-east England. It's a working market town rather than a showpiece, but it has genuine things to offer: the Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery is one of the best in the county, with an Egyptian gallery — including the Maidstone Mummy — and the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment Museum within the same complex. Outside the museum stands an Iguanodon statue marking Maidstone's unexpected place in the history of palaeontology. On the riverside, All Saints' Church, the Archbishop's Palace, and the medieval Tithe Barn form one of the most complete medieval groups in the South East.
The real draw, though, is the surrounding area. Leeds Castle, five miles south-east, is one of the most photographed castles in England, sitting on two islands in a lake — improbably beautiful and worth the detour. The Hazlitt Theatre in the town centre hosts touring productions throughout the year. The Kent History and Library Centre holds the county archives for those with research interests. The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stretches away to the south, with good walking, orchards, and hop gardens that still supply some of the country's best beer.
Maidstone is 35 minutes by train from London Victoria and makes a practical base for exploring the Weald of Kent. The streets of the medieval town centre were the site of the 1648 Battle of Maidstone, one of the final engagements of the English Civil War.