Mote Park
One of the largest parks in southeast England — 450 acres of parkland, a 30-acre lake and a historic estate in Maidstone
One of the largest parks in southeast England — 450 acres of parkland, a 30-acre lake and a historic estate in Maidstone
Mote Park covers 450 acres of open grassland, mature woodland and wetland on the eastern edge of Maidstone, making it one of the largest municipal parks in southeast England. At its centre sits a 30-acre lake, formed in the 1790s when the River Len was dammed during the construction of Mote House, a Georgian mansion designed by Daniel Asher Alexander.
Entry to the park is free. Visitors can hire boats on the lake, ride a miniature steam railway, use adventure playgrounds, follow a fitness trail through the grounds or simply walk the network of paths that wind through ancient woodland and open meadows. The park holds a Green Flag Award for its upkeep and management.
Mote Park's history stretches back centuries. The name derives from "moot" or "mote", an Old English word for a place of assembly, and the site's proximity to Penenden Heath, where Kent's shire courts were held during the Middle Ages, suggests it served an administrative function long before any grand house stood here. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn visited in July 1531, and in 1799 King George III came to inspect the Kent Volunteers, an occasion marked by the construction of a Doric temple in the grounds.
The present landscape took shape between 1793 and 1800 when the old Mote House was demolished and replaced with a new mansion designed by Daniel Asher Alexander. The River Len was dammed to create the 30-acre lake, and the surrounding parkland was laid out in the fashionable naturalistic style of the period. The estate changed hands several times before Marcus Samuel, later the 1st Viscount Bearsted, purchased it in 1895. His son, the 2nd Viscount, sold the park to Maidstone Borough Council in 1929 for fifty thousand pounds, opening it to the public for the first time.
The lake is the centrepiece of any visit. A path encircles the entire shoreline, passing through willow-lined banks, quiet reed beds and open stretches with views across the water to Mote House. The watersports centre on the southern shore hires pedalos, kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, while rowing boats are available for a more traditional outing. Fishing is permitted with a day ticket.
Away from the water, the park offers extensive facilities. Two adventure playgrounds cater for different age groups, and the Mote Park Outdoor Adventure centre provides a 32-foot Sky Trail high ropes course, a climbing wall, off-road Segway experiences and Dino Mini Golf. The miniature railway, operated by the Maidstone Model Engineering Society since the 1940s, runs on Sundays during British Summer Time, carrying passengers on steam-hauled trains for just 30 pence a ride.
Beyond the lake and play areas, the park extends into 450 acres of grassland and mature woodland. A marked fitness trail with exercise stations runs through the trees, and the broader network of paths attracts walkers, runners and cyclists. Wildflower meadows are managed for biodiversity, and the woodland supports populations of woodpeckers, treecreepers and occasional kingfishers along the River Len.
Mote House itself, the Georgian mansion at the heart of the estate, has been converted into a retirement village and is not open to the public, though its imposing facade is visible from the lakeside path. The park's cafe near the main car park serves hot and cold food throughout the day. For those combining a visit with wider exploration, Leeds Castle is just four miles to the east, and Maidstone town centre with its museum and historic Archbishop's Palace is a short walk to the west.
Entry to the park is completely free. Car parking charges apply after 10am. Adventure activities including Sky Trail, climbing wall and Dino Golf are priced separately at the Mote Park Outdoor Adventure centre.
Car parking is free before 10am and only £2 for up to six hours after that. If you arrive early you can avoid charges entirely and enjoy the park at its quietest before families arrive.
The lake is home to large populations of ducks, geese and swans. Bread is harmful to waterfowl so bring seeds, peas or specialist duck food instead. Children love feeding the birds from the lakeside path.
The railway runs on Sundays only during British Summer Time and on Boxing Day. It operates from around 2:30pm to 5pm. Arrive early in the session as queues can build on warm summer afternoons.
The path around the entire lake is roughly two miles and mostly flat. Allow 40 to 50 minutes at a steady pace. The western shore is the quietest stretch with the best chances of spotting kingfishers.
Leeds Castle is just four miles east of Mote Park and makes an excellent pairing for a full day out in Kent. You could spend the morning at Mote Park and the afternoon at the castle and grounds.
London Travel Writer · 12+ years covering UK attractions and tourism
Last reviewed: March 10, 2026
