Malling

Kent

Type:Towns & Villages

Kent, ME19 6JZ
Malling

About

In thriving West Malling, a vibrant contemporary town teams up with a rich past - expect eye-catching architecture and tempting shops.

West Malling boasts plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafés and tea-rooms, while its range of individual stores and monthly Farmers' Market draw the crowds.

A community of Benedictine nuns was founded here in the 11th century, and the town features a wealth of appealing, ancient buildings. Highlights include the striking, Tudor, Abbey Gatehouse, an unusual, Georgian waterfall called The Cascades, and the magnificent, Queen Anne Went House.

Dating back to the 1550s, the Mill Yard Craft Centre now houses specialist shops and a charming tea-room. You can also explore the remains of St Leonard’s Tower, a tall, Norman tower-keep run by English Heritage, and the Church of St Mary the Virgin. This Norman structure sports a fine spire, huge tower, rare James II coat arms and 15th century brasses.
Also keep an eye-out for the bronze sculpture Hope, and its panels depicting the town's past. One shows the first ever recorded cricket match in 1705. It may even have inspired Charles Dickens - he visited the area while writing Pickwick Papers, with its famous match between All Muggleton and Dingley Dell.

Manor Park Country Park is just a short walk from the town centre. Full of native trees, squirrels, ducks, and swans, you might spot woodpeckers and nuthatches too. While at Leybourne Lakes Country Park you can head out on ranger-led activities, or dive, windsurf, sail and canoe.

The area is ripe for Time Team-themed explorations. English Heritage runs the Kits Coty sites, where a megalithic tomb features three uprights crowned by a huge capstone. The National Trust looks after Coldrum Long Barrow, an evocative, well-preserved, 3000 year-old burial chamber. Meanwhile, Addington Long Barrow is a Neolithic burial mound with around 25 surviving stones.

At Aylesford Priory, the Friars offers a fascinating insight into life within the centuries-old order of the Carmelites. And there's another local, Christian-based community: the Pilsdon at Malling helps people rebuild their lives after crisis.

Attractions in Kent

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What's Nearby

  1. Teston Bridge Country Park

    Three meadows nestling beside the River Medway. This is an edial loction to watch boats…

    3.1 miles away
  2. Cobtree Manor Park

    Cobtree Manor Park has over 50 acres of parkland displaying a diverse and maturing…

    3.87 miles away
  3. Kent Life Heritage Farm Park

    History and family fun sit side by side. Explore the Oast House, gardens and period homes…

    4.17 miles away
  1. Kent Wildlife Trust Tyland Barn Visitor Centre

    A beautifully restored 17thC barn, now a visitor centre, with displays on Kent's wildlife…

    4.51 miles away
  2. Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery

    Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery is an exceptional regional museum housed in the…

    4.9 miles away
  3. Kentish Lady

    The Kentish Lady River boat is synonymous with Maidstone and is one of Kent’s premier…

    4.92 miles away
  4. The Hazlitt Theatre

    The Hazlitt Theatre & The Exchange offer a varied programme throughout the year.

    4.96 miles away
  5. Maidstone Carriage Museum

    Maidstone Carriage Musuem is home to a unique collection of horse-drawn vehicles &…

    5.02 miles away
  6. Mote Park

    Mote Park has been a popular place to visit for both visitors and locals being a huge…

    5.69 miles away
  7. London Golf Club

    London Golf Club prides itself on having one of the best venues in England at which, to…

    6.25 miles away
  8. The Hop Farm Family Park

    A collection of well-preserved Victorian oast houses, home to the Hop Story Museum and…

    6.42 miles away
  9. Cobham Hall

    A large house standing in 150 acres of Repton's landscape garden and dating from 1587. It…

    7 miles away
  10. Temple Manor

    A 13th century great chamber, on a vaulted undercroft, of a manor house of the Knights…

    7.4 miles away
  11. St Peter's Church Sandwich

    St Peter's Church Sandwich

    7.44 miles away
  12. Capstone Farm Country Park

    Capstone Farm Country Park is one of Medway's finest green spaces, offering wonderful…

    7.65 miles away
  13. White Horse Wood Country Park

    The White Horse Country Park is set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural…

    7.69 miles away
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