Overview

Ideally situated between the Kent coastline and just 30 miles from London, the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells area is a great place to live and work.

Maidstone is located in the heart of Kent and is surrounded by beautiful countryside on all sides.  The River Medway runs through the town and Maidstone is the business capital of the county.  The town has been ranked as one of the top five shopping centres in the southeast and the Fremlin Walk shopping centre houses a range of top-end fashion labels.  Maidstone also boasts a multiplex cinema, a selection of stylish bars and restaurants, as well as nightclubs and a historic market square.

Tunbridge Wells is one of the oldest and most sophisticated boroughs within the county.  The area is actually made up of three main towns: Royal Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook and Paddock Wood, as well as having many beautiful Wealden villages scattered throughout the countryside in between.  Royal Tunbridge Wells was made famous by its historic spa, which was discovered in 1604 and is still open to visitors today.  The borough is also home to some excellent theatres and frequently hosts the top London shows.  Tunbridge Wells now boasts some of the best shopping in the county, as well as superb schools, with a full calendar of sporting and cultural activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Location of our hospitals

Both our hospitals are located within a short distance of the nearest, large town centres which offer a range of amenities, including shops, bars and restaurants.  Both are also on the doorstep of some of Kent’s most beautiful countryside – the best of both worlds.

There are fantastic travel links in Kent which make all parts of the county, and beyond, accessible, with key motorways such as the M2 and M20, and easy access to the M25.

A huge benefit of being based in Kent is the accessibility to London by train, including a high speed service option which gets you to London’s St Pancreas in 37minutes from Ashford, or in 17minutes from Ebbsfleet.

The Dover to Calais ferry crossing also provides easy access for those European getaways and means France is on our doorstep.  Jump on a ferry and you will be in Calais is just 90 minutes.  Alternatively, you can take the Eurostar, which will take you to many locations in France quickly.  The Eurostar from Ebbsfleet station arrives in Paris in just over two hours. 

Education

In West Kent, there are many high-performing schools ranging from pre-school and primary to secondary school education, including grammar schools, special needs schools and some of the top private schools in the country.

For higher education there is the University of Kent and Christ Church University, with most London universities at a commutable distance.  Local colleges include Mid Kent College, South & West Kent College and Canterbury College, each of which offer a range of programmes from vocational courses to higher education qualifications.

All OFSTED reports can be found at the following website: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/ 

Socialising

Both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells town centres are large and thriving.  They are full of amenities, including shopping centres, cafes, bars, restaurants, as well as places of interest such as museums and libraries.  For those who want it, there is an active night-life in both towns.

Equally, Kent is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in England so there are endless opportunities for fantastic country walks and many ways to escape the hustle and bustle of every-day life.