insideKENT Magazine Issue 68 - November 2017 | Page 62

TOWNSPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on MAIDSTONE cont.
THINGS TO DO
Stoneacre
One of the many National Trust buildings in
Kent, Stone Acre is a 15th-century half-
timbered yeoman's house, featuring a great
hall and surrounded by glorious gardens, an
orchard and meadows. It is a perfect example
of a Wealden Hall House, and it is full of
beautiful collections of furniture, wood and
metal work. Wonderful woodland walks over
the Otham Valley can begin from here.
Mote Park
Mote Park has been a fixture in Maidstone
since medieval times, and it is just as popular
today as it has ever been. It’s an 180-hectare
multi-use public park that includes a boating
lake, café, plenty of parking, a miniature
railway and pitch and putt. It gets its name
from the Old English ‘mote’ meaning ‘meeting
place’.
Hazlitt Theatre
The Hazlitt Theatre presents an eclectic mix
of entertainment for all the family. Its
traditional proscenium arch and intimate
auditorium make it the perfect venue for
drama, family shows, comedy, music, and
variety. The theatre is serviced by a licensed
bar and refreshment facilities, with seating for
up to 382 people.
Maidstone Museum
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Bentlif Art Gallery
Within Maidstone Museum is the Bentlif Art
Gallery, an extensive collection of watercolour
and oil paintings donated by the Bentlif
brothers. In addition, the renowned Queens
Own Royal West Kent Regimental Museum is
located on the premises, proudly documenting
the history of the QORWK and its predecessors
since the mid-18th century.
Leeds Castle
A trip to Maidstone wouldn't be complete
without some time spent at the beautiful Leeds
Castle. Discover almost 900 years of history
and explore 500 acres of beautiful parkland
and gardens. The whole family will enjoy the
maze and grotto, thrilling falconry displays,
punting on the moat, adventure playgrounds
and more!
DINING OUT
La Villetta
La Villetta is an independent Italian restaurant
that prides itself on only using the finest
ingredients direct from both Kent and Italy.
La Villetta translates as ‘the cottage’, and the
authentic dishes served here are meant to be
exactly what you would find in a traditional
Italian home, served in the most beautiful way.
The menu includes dishes such as zucchini
gratinate – roasted courgette, goat cheese,
potato cake, cream of red peppers and salsa
verde; risotto mare e monti – cured salmon,
langoustine, baby prawns, courgettes, cherry
tomatoes, asparagus and wild mushroom
sauce; and orecchiette con polpette –
traditional homemade meatballs with
Bolognese sauce.
Artemis
Artemis is a Greek restaurant that offers a range
of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes that
come in big portions with even bigger flavours.
The food is fresh and fast, and the service will
make you feel right at home. Try the three
baked Greek cheeses – feta, halloumi and
graviera – served with garlic and olive oil, or
the lamb kofte to get a truly authentic Greek
experience.
Narai Thai Palace
Narai Thai cuisine is a specific type of Thai
food that is known to be rather spicy, so
knowing what to expect when you step
through the door means you can peruse the
mouthwatering menu with a better
understanding of the chilli content of all of
the food. Chillies notwithstanding, there are
some incredible dishes to choose from
including goong gra-tiam prik tai – fried
prawns with garlic and butter; yum nua – thin
strips of lean beef, chargrilled rare and
combined with onion, cucumber, tomatoes,
coriander and fresh chilli; and gai yang –
chargrilled chicken served with sweet chilli
and garlic sauce.