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 miles37.5 km
- Bexley 22.8 miles36.7 km
- Basildon 23.1 miles37.2 km
- Hastings 25 miles40.2 km
- Maidstone 2.5 miles4.1 km
- Gillingham 9.7 miles15.7 km
- Grays 19.2 miles30.9 km
- Chatham 8.7 miles14 km
- Royal Tunbridge Wells 13.1 miles21.1 km
- Ashford 16.3 miles26.2 km
- Dartford 19.8 miles31.8 km
- Canterbury 24.5 miles39.4 km
Neighbouring places
- Boughton Monchelsea Built-up area 0.4 miles0.6 km
- Loose & Linton Ward 0.8 miles1.3 km
- Park Wood & Mangravet Ward 1.1 miles1.8 km
- Coxheath Built-up area 1.4 miles2.3 km
- Linton Parish 1.5 miles2.5 km
- Shepway Ward 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Boughton Monchelsea & Chart Sutton Ward 1.7 miles2.7 km
- Senacre Ward 1.8 miles2.8 km
- Tovil Parish 1.8 miles2.8 km
- Chart Sutton Built-up area 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Otham Built-up area 2.2 miles3.5 km
- Langley Built-up area 2.2 miles3.6 km
Example postcodes in Loose
ME17 4AJ, ME17 4LG, ME17 4JQ, ME15 0EB, ME17 4NR, ME17 4GY, ME17 4XT, ME17 4AD, ME15 0DW … See all
Transport links
- London Southend Airport 24.3 miles39.1 km
- London City Airport 27.6 miles44.5 km
- East Farleigh Railway Station 2.3 miles3.7 km
- Maidstone West Railway Station 2.5 miles4 km
Hotels near Loose Ad
- The Potting Shed Maidstone 2.4 miles3.9 km
- The Black Horse Inn 4 4.7 miles7.5 km
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club 4 3.4 miles5.4 km
- Miller & Carter Maidstone by Innkeeper's Collection 4 3.1 miles5 km
- Orida Maidstone Hotel 4 3.5 miles5.6 km
- Weald of Kent 3 4.7 miles7.6 km
- Chilston Park Hotel 4 8 miles12.9 km
- Village Hotel Maidstone 4 4.2 miles6.8 km
- The Star and Eagle Hotel 4 8.9 miles14.4 km
- The Dog & Bear Hotel 8.2 miles13.2 km
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 miles2.1 km
- University for the Creative Arts - Maidstone University 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Boxley Abbey Historic site 4.5 miles7.2 km
- Yalding Gardens Gardens 4.5 miles7.2 km
- Boxley Hills Hill 5.4 miles8.7 km
- Hale Wood Forest 9.6 miles15.4 km
- Pulans Wood Forest 9.6 miles15.5 km
- Minepit Wood Forest 9.8 miles15.7 km
- Spotlites at Kings Theatre Theatre 9.9 miles16 km
- University for the Creative Arts - Rochester University 10 miles16.1 km
- Hayden Wood Forest 10 miles16.1 km
- Priestfield Stadium Stadium 10.4 miles16.7 km