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Keeper’s House, Maidstone

Visitor Rating
Rating
10
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Keeper's House is a spacious detached lodge in Kent, perfect for larger groups wanting a countryside escape. This property sleeps up to ten guests and sits within the grounds of a working farm near Maidstone. The lodge offers off-road parking for two cars and plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

The surrounding area is classic Kentish countryside. Rolling fields and quiet lanes make this a peaceful base. You're close enough to market towns for supplies but far enough out to enjoy proper rural tranquillity.

The accommodation includes five bedrooms across two floors. There are three bathrooms serving the group.

About Keeper’s House

Keeper's House is a spacious detached lodge in Kent, perfect for larger groups wanting a countryside escape. This property sleeps up to ten guests and sits within the grounds of a working farm near Maidstone. The lodge offers off-road parking for two cars and plenty of space for everyone to spread out.

The surrounding area is classic Kentish countryside. Rolling fields and quiet lanes make this a peaceful base. You're close enough to market towns for supplies but far enough out to enjoy proper rural tranquillity.

The accommodation includes five bedrooms across two floors. There are three bathrooms serving the group. The main living area combines the kitchen and lounge, creating a sociable hub for meal times and evening gatherings. The kitchen is fully equipped for cooking group meals.

Leeds Castle sits 4.5 miles away (12 minutes). Maidstone town centre is 5 miles (15 minutes). The Historic Dockyard Chatham is 15 miles (25 minutes). Bedgebury National Pinetum offers forest walks 18 miles away (30 minutes).

Keeper's House works brilliantly for family reunions or friends wanting a rural retreat. The farm setting and generous accommodation make this an excellent choice for groups.

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Need To Know

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Local Insights: Keeper’s House

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Maidstone, Kent

Weather & Local Conditions

15°C

Clear sky

Updated: 28 Jul 2026, 3:03am

🌡️
14.90°C
Temperature
💨
0 km/h
Wind Speed
💧
93%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever July throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Keeper’s House sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
📱
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

58m

(190 feet above sea level)

Keeper’s House sits in a peaceful Kent setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

🏔️
58m
Elevation
📍
Maidstone
Nearest Village
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Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
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Driving Note: The roads to Maidstone are typical Kent lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.2497251° N | Longitude: 0.6271708° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Maidstone (Tuesday, 28 July 2026):

4:14am

Sunrise

6:53pm

Golden Hour

7:53pm

Sunset

🌅
4:14am
Sunrise
🌇
7:53pm
Sunset
📸
6:53pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
🌙
Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (6:53pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

July Daylight

This month in Maidstone, you have approximately 15.64 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the cottage.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Keeper’s House.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

💡
Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

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Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Kent. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun


Local Breweries & Craft Beer

Discover local craft beer near Keeper’s House:

🍺

Rother Valley Brewing Company

Micro · Rye

16.7 mi
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The Three Legs Brewing Co

Taproom · Rye

21 mi
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Good Things Brewing Co Ltd

Micro · Tunbridge Wells

21.9 mi
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Beer Lover's Tip: Many Kent pubs serve locally brewed ales. Ask for local ales - perfect after a day exploring with the group!

Data updated: 28 Jul 2026 | Location: 51.2497251, 0.6271708

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at Keeper’s House

Spacious Farm Setting

The detached lodge sits within working farm grounds, offering genuine countryside space and privacy perfect for larger family groups gathering together.

Four Bedroom Layout

Eight guests sleep comfortably across four well-appointed bedrooms, giving everyone their own space after busy days exploring Kent's attractions.

Open Plan Living Area

The combined kitchen and lounge creates a brilliant social space where the whole group can cook, eat and relax together throughout the day.

Rural Kent Location

Peaceful countryside surroundings provide a proper escape from busy life whilst keeping you within easy reach of Kent's best attractions and towns.

Parking for Two Cars

Off-road parking for two vehicles makes arrival and departure straightforward, especially useful when coordinating group travel from different locations.

Fully Equipped Kitchen

The complete kitchen setup means groups can prepare proper meals together, saving money and creating those memorable shared dining experiences.

Getting To Keeper’s House

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Keeper's House by car, take the M20 to junction 8, then follow the A20 towards Maidstone. Turn onto local roads following signs for Lenham. The lodge is located within farm grounds with convenient off-road parking for two cars.

By Train

For those travelling by rail, the nearest station is Lenham, approximately 3 miles from the property. Maidstone East station offers more frequent services and sits 5 miles away, with taxis readily available for the final journey.

Off-road parking for two cars
Lenham station (3 miles)
Accessible from M20 junction 8

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Leeds Castle
Distance: 4.5 miles
ME17 1PL
Historic Dockyard Chatham
Distance: 15 miles
ME4 4TZ
Bedgebury National Pinetum
Distance: 18 miles
TN17 2SL
Len Valley Walk
Distance: 2 miles
ME17 1QB
North Downs Way
Distance: 4 miles
ME14 3BE
Cobtree Manor Park
Distance: 6 miles
ME14 3AU
Maidstone Town Centre
Distance: 5 miles
ME14 1JL
Lenham Village Shops
Distance: 3 miles
ME17 2QT
Tesco Superstore
Distance: 4.5 miles
ME15 9YT
Lenham Village
Distance: 3 miles
ME17 2QT
Harrietsham Station
Distance: 2 miles
ME17 1AP
Maidstone East Station
Distance: 5 miles
ME15 6AU
Leeds Castle
Distance: 4.5 miles
ME17 1PL
Historic Dockyard Chatham
Distance: 15 miles
ME4 4TZ
Bedgebury National Pinetum
Distance: 18 miles
TN17 2SL
Len Valley Walk
Distance: 2 miles
ME17 1QB
North Downs Way
Distance: 4 miles
ME14 3BE
Cobtree Manor Park
Distance: 6 miles
ME14 3AU
Maidstone Town Centre
Distance: 5 miles
ME14 1JL
Lenham Village Shops
Distance: 3 miles
ME17 2QT
Tesco Superstore
Distance: 4.5 miles
ME15 9YT
Lenham Village
Distance: 3 miles
ME17 2QT
Harrietsham Station
Distance: 2 miles
ME17 1AP
Maidstone East Station
Distance: 5 miles
ME15 6AU

Is Keeper’s House Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
The farm setting provides natural entertainment for children who enjoy countryside surroundings. Leeds Castle is just 4.5 miles away with its maze and grounds. Cobtree Manor Park offers play areas 6 miles distant. The open plan living space gives families room to spread out. Bedgebury National Pinetum has forest trails suitable for active youngsters. The rural location means outdoor space for games.
Groups Will Love...
The open plan kitchen and lounge creates an excellent social hub for groups at Keeper's House. Everyone can gather in one space for cooking, eating and relaxing together. The fully equipped kitchen handles meal preparation for eight guests. This layout encourages group interaction rather than splitting people across separate rooms. The combined space works brilliantly for evening entertainment and shared mealtimes throughout your stay.
Pet Friendly
Keeper's House does not accept pets during your stay. You'll need to arrange alternative care for any animals whilst you're away. The property sits within working farm grounds where livestock may be present. This makes it unsuitable for bringing dogs or other pets. Many local kennels and catteries operate in the Maidstone area if you need boarding facilities during your visit.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Keeper’s House

The Dog and Bear Inn

Located 2.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: ME17 2BS

The Pepper Box Inn

Located 3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: ME17 1NL

The Windmill Cafe

Located 4 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: ME14 3AU

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Keeper’s House

How many guests does Keeper's House accommodate?
The lodge sleeps eight guests across four bedrooms, making it suitable for larger families or friend groups. Two bathrooms serve the property.
Is Keeper's House pet friendly?
The property does not accept pets. You'll need to make alternative arrangements for any animals during your stay.
What parking is available at the property?
Off-road parking for two cars is provided at the lodge. Additional vehicles would need to park elsewhere by arrangement.
What sleeping arrangements are available?
Four bedrooms are spread across two floors of the lodge. The specific bed configurations should be confirmed when booking for your group's requirements.
How far is Keeper's House from Maidstone?
Maidstone town centre is 5 miles away, taking approximately 15 minutes by car. The market town offers shops, restaurants and amenities.
What attractions are near Keeper's House?
Leeds Castle is 4.5 miles away (12 minutes), whilst the Historic Dockyard Chatham sits 15 miles distant (25 minutes). Bedgebury National Pinetum is 18 miles away for forest walks.
Is the accommodation all on one level?
The bedrooms are arranged across two floors. Groups with mobility requirements should consider this when booking.
What facilities does the kitchen include?
The kitchen is fully equipped for preparing group meals. It forms part of an open plan living area with the lounge space.

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