Loose is a village and civil parish just to the south of Maidstone in Kent, tucked into a steep, wooded valley carved by the River Loose. The valley and its meandering stream give the area a distinctly rural feel despite its proximity to the town, with footpaths, ponds and a conservation area known locally as Loose Valley that attract walkers and families from the wider borough.
Historically the river powered a string of watermills and small industries, and many mill buildings and 18th–19th century cottages survive as characterful conversions. Today Loose is largely residential with a compact high street of independent shops and pubs, an active community life and good links into Maidstone (and beyond towards London), making it a popular mix of heritage, countryside and commuter convenience.
Postcode districts covering Loose
Most populated places nearby
- Southend-on-Sea 23.2 miles37.4 km
- Bexley 22.3 miles35.8 km
- Basildon 22.8 miles36.6 km
- Maidstone 2.2 miles3.5 km
- Gillingham 9.6 miles15.4 km
- Grays 18.7 miles30.1 km
- Chatham 8.4 miles13.6 km
- Royal Tunbridge Wells 12.9 miles20.7 km
- Ashford 16.9 miles27.1 km
- Dartford 19.2 miles31 km
- Canterbury 24.9 miles40.1 km
- Gravesend 14.2 miles22.8 km
Neighbouring places
- Loose Built-up area 0.6 miles0.9 km
- Loose & Linton Ward 0.6 miles0.9 km
- Boughton Monchelsea Built-up area 0.9 miles1.4 km
- Coxheath Built-up area 1 mile1.6 km
- Tovil Parish 1.4 miles2.2 km
- Park Wood & Mangravet Ward 1.5 miles2.3 km
- Linton Parish 1.5 miles2.5 km
- Shepway Ward 1.7 miles2.7 km
- East Farleigh Built-up area 1.7 miles2.8 km
- Fant & Oakwood Ward 2 miles3.2 km
- Senacre Ward 2.1 miles3.4 km
- High Street Ward 2.1 miles3.4 km
Example postcodes in Loose
ME15 0AA, ME15 0BP, ME15 9RW, ME15 0AH, ME15 0EW, ME15 0QE, ME15 9TN, ME15 0DR, ME15 0AN … See all
Transport links
- London Southend Airport 24.2 miles38.9 km
- London City Airport 27.1 miles43.6 km
- East Farleigh Railway Station 1.8 miles2.9 km
- Maidstone West Railway Station 2.1 miles3.4 km
Hotels near Loose Ad
- The Potting Shed Maidstone 2.9 miles4.7 km
- The Black Horse Inn 4 4.7 miles7.6 km
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club 4 3.6 miles5.8 km
- Miller & Carter Maidstone by Innkeeper's Collection 4 2.8 miles4.5 km
- Orida Maidstone Hotel 4 3.4 miles5.4 km
- Weald of Kent 3 5.2 miles8.4 km
- Village Hotel Maidstone 4 3.9 miles6.3 km
- The Star and Eagle Hotel 4 9.1 miles14.6 km
- Chilston Park Hotel 4 8.5 miles13.7 km
- The Farm House 4 6 miles9.7 km
Schools in Loose
- Cornwallis Academy Secondary
- Loose Primary School Primary
Local points of interest
- Boughton Place Estate 1.7 miles2.8 km
- University for the Creative Arts - Maidstone University 2.3 miles3.7 km
- Yalding Gardens Gardens 4.1 miles6.6 km
- Boxley Abbey Historic site 4.2 miles6.7 km
- Boxley Hills Hill 5.2 miles8.3 km
- Hale Wood Forest 9.5 miles15.3 km
- Pulans Wood Forest 9.6 miles15.5 km
- Spotlites at Kings Theatre Theatre 9.7 miles15.6 km
- University for the Creative Arts - Rochester University 9.7 miles15.6 km
- Minepit Wood Forest 9.8 miles15.7 km
- Hayden Wood Forest 10 miles16 km
- Priestfield Stadium Stadium 10.2 miles16.4 km