Maidstone, England
Maid-in-a-Traffic-Jam-Stone
"Kent's county town: where the M20 goes to nap"
Official Coat of Arms
A shield bearing a gridlocked roundabout rampant, flanked by two Kentish hop bines wilting slightly, above a depiction of Archbishop's Palace obscured by a delivery van. The motto beneath reads 'Nos Sumus Prope Londinium, Sed Non Londinium' — 'We Are Near London, But We Are Not London'.
TripAdvisor Review
★★★☆☆ 3/5
"Visited for the county show and ended up spending most of my time circling the one-way system trying to find the multi-storey. The River Medway looks lovely from the bridge, assuming you're not stuck on it at rush hour. Maidstone Museum was actually a pleasant surprise, and the prison isn't as visible as you'd think, which I mean as a compliment. Would come again but I'd bring a packed lunch and a satnav that isn't lying to me."— Derek Fanshawe, Tonbridge
Property Listing
Nestled majestically on the banks of the River Medway, this vibrant county town offers unparalleled access to the M20, the M2, and several roundabouts you'll come to know intimately. Enjoy characterful Kentish architecture standing shoulder to shoulder with a bustling retail experience, all within a stone's throw of the historic Archbishop's Palace, gridlock included at no extra charge.
Twinned With
Slough — Both are frequently maligned county towns that locals will defend fiercely after three pints.
Supporting Evidence
Maidstone is the county town of Kent yet has no railway station actually called 'Maidstone Central' until you check twice — it has three stations, East, West and Barracks, because one clearly wasn't confusing enough.