Loose is a picturesque village on the outskirts of Maidstone in Kent, England, sited in a narrow, wooded chalk valley carved by the River Loose. The valley and its streams create a string of millponds and waterfalls, giving the area a strong sense of rural character despite being only a short distance from the town centre and the open parkland of Mote Park. The valley is valued for its wildlife and walking routes and many of the older buildings are grouped within a conservation area that preserves traditional Kentish stone cottages and mill structures.
Historically the river powered numerous mills and small industries, and traces of that industrial past survive in converted mill buildings and stonework along the stream. Today Loose is largely residential and popular with commuters working in Maidstone and London, but it retains a strong village community, local shops and pubs and an active interest in preserving its natural and historic environment.
Postcode districts covering Loose
Most populated places nearby
- Southend-on-Sea 23.3 miles
- Bexley 22.8 miles
- Basildon 23.1 miles
- Hastings 25 miles
- Maidstone 2.5 miles
- Gillingham 9.7 miles
- Grays 19.2 miles
- Chatham 8.7 miles
- Royal Tunbridge Wells 13.1 miles
- Ashford 16.3 miles
- Dartford 19.8 miles
- Canterbury 24.5 miles
Neighbouring places
- Boughton Monchelsea Built-up area 0.4 miles
- Loose & Linton Ward 0.8 miles
- Park Wood & Mangravet Ward 1.1 miles
- Coxheath Built-up area 1.4 miles
- Linton Parish 1.5 miles
- Shepway Ward 1.7 miles
- Boughton Monchelsea & Chart Sutton Ward 1.7 miles
- Senacre Ward 1.8 miles
- Tovil Parish 1.8 miles
- Chart Sutton Built-up area 1.8 miles
- Otham Built-up area 2.2 miles
- Langley Built-up area 2.2 miles
Example postcodes in Loose
ME17 4XT, ME17 4LT, ME17 4LP, ME15 0BL, ME17 4SN, ME17 4HN, ME17 4NR, ME15 0AF, ME15 0DW … See all
Transport links
- London Southend Airport 24.3 miles
- London City Airport 27.6 miles
- East Farleigh Railway Station 2.3 miles
- Maidstone West Railway Station 2.5 miles
Hotels near Loose Ad
- The Potting Shed Maidstone 2.4 miles
- The Black Horse Inn 4 4.7 miles
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club 4 3.4 miles
- Miller & Carter Maidstone by Innkeeper's Collection 4 3.1 miles
- Orida Maidstone Hotel 4 3.5 miles
- Weald of Kent 3 4.7 miles
- Chilston Park Hotel 4 8 miles
- The Star and Eagle Hotel 4 8.9 miles
- Village Hotel Maidstone 4 4.2 miles
- The Farm House 4 6.6 miles
Schools in Loose
- Boughton Monchelsea Primary School Primary
- Cornwallis Academy Secondary
- OneSchool Global UK - Maidstone Campus Independent - all ages
Local points of interest
- Boughton Place Estate 1.3 miles
- University for the Creative Arts - Maidstone University 2.8 miles
- Boxley Abbey Historic site 4.5 miles
- Yalding Gardens Gardens 4.5 miles
- Boxley Hills Hill 5.4 miles
- Hale Wood Forest 9.6 miles
- Pulans Wood Forest 9.6 miles
- Minepit Wood Forest 9.8 miles
- Spotlites at Kings Theatre Theatre 9.9 miles
- University for the Creative Arts - Rochester University 10 miles
- Hayden Wood Forest 10 miles
- Priestfield Stadium Stadium 10.4 miles