Directions
Parsonage Place is located off Church Road in Otham, a short drive from Maidstone town centre, 18 miles from Ashford and 40 miles from central London. The nearest train station to the development is Bearsted, two miles away, and from there regular services run to Ashford International, Canterbury, Ramsgate, Maidstone East and London Victoria, among other destinations.
Major roads easily accessible from the development include the M20 and the A229.
Parsonage Place lies within the administrative boundaries of Otham Parish Council, Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council.
Leisure
At more than 450 acres, Mote Park is one of the largest public parks in the area and home to a watersports centre (kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing), children's playgrounds, a skate park, a 30-acre lake, rivers and grassland, sports pitches and a miniature railway, which is open to the public in summer.
Tennis courts and a multi-games pitch for netball, basketball and football can be found in Clare Park, a few minutes' drive from the town centre. South Park, 10 minutes by car from the development, also has tennis courts, as well as a skate park, football pitches and an all weather floodlit hockey pitch - the base of Maidstone Hockey Club.
Vinters Valley Nature Reserve, two miles away, provides 90 acres of scenic landscape, trails, animal and plant habitats on the remaining gardens of a long-gone country house. It offers a peaceful retreat on the edge of Maidstone.
For golf fans, there are three clubs within 10 minutes' drive - Bearsted, The Ridge and Leeds Castle. The latter is set within the extensive grounds of the famous castle itself. Other popular family attractions there include a maze made up of more than 2,000 yew trees, vibrant gardens, an adventure playground containing a wooden replica of the castle, and falconry displays, as well as exhibitions and tours of the medieval building.
Maidstone Leisure Centre is less then three miles from Parsonage Place and offers a great selection of sports and activities. It has five swimming pools, a gym, sports hall and courts, fitness studios and a soft play zone for youngsters. Freedom Leisure in Maidstone town centre provides a similar range of facilities, and in addition has five outdoor tennis courts and is home to Maidstone Tennis Academy.
Film fans are catered for at Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre, with a multiscreen cinema showing the latest blockbuster movies, classic and family films. Several popular restaurants, a bowling alley and a trampoline park are also located at Lockmeadow.
Live drama, comedy, music and dance are staged at the Hazlitt theatre on Earl Street. The venue also hosts a variety of classes and workshops as well as being the home of Hazlitt Youth Theatre and Maidstone Film Society.
Transport
Local buses connect Parsonage Place with Maidstone and other nearby towns and villages. The 643 for Bearsted and the 4 for Maidstone High Street both stop on Deringwood Drive, a few minutes walk away.
Regular train services run from Bearsted to London Victoria (fastest journey time just over an hour), and other destinations including Maidstone East, Ashford International, Canterbury and Ramsgate.
Ashford International is 30 minutes away by car, for high-speed train services to London St Pancras, as well as Eurostar services to Paris, Lille and Brussels.
Maidstone East, Maidstone West and Maidstone Barracks stations are all around three miles from the development and serve a variety of destinations, including Aylesford, Strood and Tonbridge.
Major roads easily accessible from Parsonage Place include the M20, the A229 and the M2. The M25 London orbital is around 30 minutes' drive away.
Gatwick Airport can be reached in around 45 minutes by car via the M20 and the M25.
Education
A number of well-regarded schools can be found in the local area. These include Madginford Primary School and Greenfields Community Primary School - both of which are within walking distance of the development. Other schools for younger children include Tree Tops Primary Academy, Senacre Wood Primary School, Oaks Primary Academy and Molehill Primary Academy, all of which are around 5 minutes' drive away.
Older pupils are catered for by The Maplesden Noakes School, New Line Learning Academy, Invicta Grammar School (girls), Maidstone Grammar School (boys) and Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, among others.
Shopping
Residents will find a couple of convenience stores and supermarkets within 15 minutes' walk of the development on Deringwood Drive and Egremont Road, but the main focus for shopping is Maidstone town centre. A variety of specialist retailers, designer boutiques, chain and department stores are located throughout the main shopping districts of High Street, the Royal Star Arcade, Week Street, Fremlin Walk and The Mall (indoor shopping centre). Maidstone Market takes place at Lockmeadow Entertainment Centre every Tuesday and Saturday, and in addition, a local producers and craft market is held monthly on the same site. Lockmeadow is half a mile from Fremlin Walk and High Street, and around 10 minutes' drive from Parsonage Place.
