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Monument details

HER Number:TQ 75 NE 869
Type of record:Monument
Name:Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone, garden

Summary

Archbishop's Palace, Maidstone

Grid Reference:TQ 75935 55467
Map Sheet:TQ75NE
Parish:MAIDSTONE, MAIDSTONE, KENT

Monument Types

  • FORMAL GARDEN (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 2050 AD)
  • HERB GARDEN (Medieval to Modern - 1066 AD to 2050 AD)
  • PARTERRE (Modern - 1901 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status:Historic Park or Garden 5: Archbishops Palace, Maidstone

Full description

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DESCRIPTION
The long history of the Palace is reflected in the present grounds. The Infirmarer's Garden, recreated in 1994 within the walled garden, features a tunnel arbour and beds of herbs that would have been used in medieval times.

Alongside the River Len there is a grove of trees that is representative of introductions to Britain over 400 years. A box-edged parterre in the approach drive is a recent endeavour to relate the later Jacobean facade of the Palace to the grounds.

Principal building:
Palace Created 1350 to 1399

HISTORY
The Archbishop's Palace was the medieval archiepiscopal residence in Maidstone. It was rescued from demolition by the Trustees of Queen Victoria's Jubilee Fund and transferred to Maidstone Council in 1904.

Site timeline
1904: The site was rescued from demolition by the Trustees of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Fund and transferred to Maidstone Council in 1904.

Features
parterre
A box-edged parterre in the approach drive is a recent endeavour to relate the later Jacobean facade of the Palace to the grounds.

grove
Alongside the River Len there is a grove of trees that is representative of introductions to Britain over 400 years.

planting
Feature created: 1994
The Infirmarer's Garden features a tunnel arbour and beds of herbs that would have been used in medieval times. (1-2)


<1> Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS), 2005, Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org) (Website). SKE16061.

<2> Kent County Council, 1996, The historic parks and gardens of Kent (Kent Gardens Compendium) (Unpublished document). SKE12972.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>Website: Parks and Gardens Data Services Limited (PGDS). 2005. Parks and Gardens UK (www.parksandgardens.org).
<2>Unpublished document: Kent County Council. 1996. The historic parks and gardens of Kent (Kent Gardens Compendium).