We all have our favourite places to visit in and around Maidstone. But what do tourists make of our County Town? These are the top 10 attractions according to visitor reviews on website Trip Advisor, from a zip-lining park to an island of teapots...

1. Leeds Castle
It is billed as being the loveliest castle in the world, and it seems visitors agree. Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold, a royal palace, and an elegant early 20th century retreat for the rich and famous. More recently though it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain, with more than half a million people going through the gates each year. There’s plenty to explore besides the fortress itself, with 500 acres of parkland, a maze, and an underground grotto. There are also free falconry displays, boat and train rides to keep families busy. For more visit www.leeds-castle.com

2. Mote Park
There’s nothing like the great outdoors, and standing at more than 180 hectares Mote Park has more than its fair share of open space for those seeking some fresh air. The grounds have existed since the 13th century and has been owned by the royal family and founder of Royal Dutch Shell oil company. Now it is freely accessible to the public, with its mix of grassland, woodland and lakes making it a favourite of dog walkers. And for families, there’s pitch and putt golf, watersports and a chance to see deer, bats and kingfishers. For more visit www.moteparkfellowship.org.uk

3. Cobtree Manor Park
It may be younger and smaller than Mote Park, but Cobtree is hot on the heels of its urban cousin in terms of popularity.
Created in the 1970s on the site of the former Maidstone Zoo, the unusually hilly grounds have since been planted with more than 600 different species of trees and shrubs. And how many other parks can boast their own elephant house, a relic left from its previous incarnation?
It also has a popular cafe, picnic area and playground from swings, slides and a zip wire. For more visit www.maidstone.gov.uk

4. Kent Life
Also making it into the top 10 attractions is a real working farm, which celebrates the county’s heritage. Kent Life in Sandling, near Maidstone, shut in November 2014 but reopened under new management in February to the delight of visitors. It pays tribute to all aspects of rural life, from tractor rides to a petting zoo full of traditional farm animals. And you can take a step back in time with the vintage village, complete with restored Victorian, buildings and even a Hopper’s Hut. For more visit www.kentlife.org.uk

5. Go Ape at Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle gets a second mention, with the Go Ape adventure park based there also proving to be a crowd-pleaser. You can see the grounds from a different vantage point, leaping off Tarzan swings and negotiating hair-raising high ropes in the treetop adventure.
The course, which rises 12m above the forest floor can be explored in hour-long slots, while a 250m long zipwire offers stunning views of the North Downs. For more visit www.goape.co.uk

6. Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery
Culture vultures put Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Art Gallery in sixth spot. The collection is one of the largest in Kent, with more than 600,000 artefact - among them a 2,700 year-old Egyptian mummy, fossils dating back 145 million years and even a Victorian pregnancy corset. Founded in 1858, the museum is free to visit and the adjoining gallery features touring exhibitions in collaboration with the V&A, The British Museum and the Cartoon Museum to name a few. For more visit www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk

7. Teapot Island
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall are fans - and so are the rest of you, according to the reviews. What started as a tin shack serving tea by the riverside in Yalding has become a record-breaking institution. Teapot Island houses the biggest collection of teapots in England, with more than 7,600 on display. The family business was hit hard by the Christmas floods of 2013, when the village was flooded four times in two months. But after re-opening, and a stamp of royal approval, the attraction is once again brewing success. For more visit www.teapotisland.co.uk

8. Teston Bridge Country Park
If river walks and rolling meadows are your thing, Teston Bridge Country Park is for you. Eighth on the list of popular Maidstone attractions, it combines 32 acres of countryside with a children’s play area and the background of the picturesque 14th century Teston Bridge.
The Bridge Meadow is a favourite with picnickers during the summer months while the skies are filled with colourful shapes during the annual kite festival. And keep an eye out for the otters which can occasionally be seen hunting along the river. For more visit www.kent.gov.uk

9. Fremlin Walk
Another big pull for visitors is Maidstone’s shopping centre, Fremlin Walk. Whether it’s for a tasty coffee and a cake at one of the many cafes or a browse round the shops, people travel for miles to mill around the town centre arcade. It boasts 50 stores, from department store House of Fraser to an abundance of jewellers. The site was previously a factory making Fremlins’ Ales & Beers, but the brewery’s arch entrance and clock are all that remain on this bustling street. For more visit www.fremlinwalk.co.uk

10. Stoneacre
Fine art, tranquil gardens and 15th century architecture add up to a winning combination with Maidstone’s tourists. Stoneacre is a medieval yeoman’s house and garden in the Otham valley, most of which stands as it always has. With some of the most beautiful 17th-century furniture, soft furnishing, glass and decorative metal work, a visit is described as a must for any fine art lover. There’s also opportunity to explore the garden or restore yourself with a cup of tea in the library tearoom. For more visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stoneacre