Literally meaning a stone of the maidens, it is one of only a few towns in the UK to have a crater on Mars named after it. Improvements to the River Medway around 1730 provided means for transporting products of the various industries from Maidstone as far as East Farleigh, Yedling and Tonbridge. The quarrying of good building stone around Maidstone has always been and important industry and still is today. Some of the sandstone is also used in the glass industry and the Aylesford area of Maidstone has Europes largest paper recycling factory. Maidstone prison is the site of the last public hanging in Britain and took place at noon 2nd April 1868. 25 year old Frances Kidder was executed for murder on the new gallows located outside the Maidstone Gaol on Court Road
The town football team, Maidstone United FC, have had a turbulent history and now play in the Ryman League. Maidstone also boasts a Sailing Club, Rowing Club, Martial Arts School and the Pumas American Football Club. Many of the towns residents are daily commuters to London but Maidstone holds its own where nightlife is concerned. Countless bars and large clubs like Ikon and Strawberry Moons mean it is now a hotspot of the Kent party scene. Maidstone extends to include areas such as Tovil, Roseacre, Grove Green, Sandling, Royal British Legion Village and Barming Sta
Maidstone Hotel, Maidstone Bed and Breakfast, Maidstone Cheap Hotel accommodation suitable for a Maidstone Weekend Break, a Maidstone City Break, Maidstone Wedding Accommodation, Maidstone Guys Night out, Maidstone Girls Night out or even a Maidstone Stag Night or a Maidstone Hen Night