AddressSt Faith's Street, Maidstone, ME14 1LHTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Pay and Display car parking is available at Fremlin Walk car park.Travel by busBus stops at Royal Star Arcade and Brenchley Gardens are a short walk from the museum.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a two-minute walk from the museum.Food and drinkThe museum does not sell food and drink but it is a short walk from both Week Street and Fremlin Walk where you will find numerous shops, cafés and restaurants.AccessibilityService dogs welcomeAccess rampsAll rooms fully accessible by wheelchairAccessible toiletsLift to first floor (not suitable for electric mobility scooters)Hearing loopFive disabled parking spaces for blue badge holders

AddressHigh Street, Maidstone, ME14 1TFTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Pay and Display car parking is available at The Mall and Fremlin Walk car park.Travel by busThe bus stop at Royal Star Arcade is across the road from the Town Hall.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a five-minute walk from the town centre.Food and drinkThe Town Hall does not sell food and drink but it is situated in the town centre where you will find numerous shops, cafés and restaurants.AccessibilityLift to upper floorsAccessible toilet facilitiesWheelchair access

AddressEarl Street, Maidstone, ME14 1PLTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Pay and display car parking is available at The Mall and Fremlin Walk car parks.Travel by busThere are several bus stops in the vicinity of the theatre within easy walking distance.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a five-minute walk from the town centre.Food and drinkThe Hazlitt Theatre has a licensed bar serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks and ice creams. The bar is usually open before performances and during the interval (where applicable). There are also many cafés, restaurants and bars within a short walk of the theatre.AccessibilityDisabled parking baysLift access (located in Rose Yard)Adapted toilet facilities on floor oneAllocated seating capable of accommodating four wheelchair users and their companionsWhen booking tickets for wheelchair spaces these only be booked in advance through the box officeOtherwise, please be aware that wheelchair space are located A-F19, with companion seats available A-F18For those with mobility issues please be aware that there is raised seating from rows H-Q of the stallsAssistive listening system that streams live audio directly to your personal smartphone

Bringing the magic of live performance to the heart of Maidstone. Where stories are brought to life, local talent shines, and lifelong memories are made.AddressMarket Buildings, Maidstone, ME14 1HPTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Pay and display car parking is available at The Mall and Fremlin Walk car parks.Travel by busThere are several bus stops in the vicinity of the Exchange Studio within easy walking distance.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a five-minute walk from the town centre.Food and drinkThe Exchange Studio has a licensed bar serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks and ice creams. The bar is usually open before performances and during the interval (where applicable). There are also many cafés, restaurants and bars within a short walk of the Exchange Studio.AccessibilityDisabled parking baysLift access (located in Rose Yard)Adapted toilet facilities on floor oneRaked bench seating – Row A has step-free accessAssistive listening system that streams live audio directly to your personal smartphone

AddressFremlin Walk Shopping Centre, Maidstone, ME14 1QPTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Pay and Display car parking is available at Fremlin Walk car park.Travel by busBus stops at Royal Star Arcade and Brenchley Gardens are a short walk from Waterstones.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a five-minute walk from Waterstones.Food and drinkWaterstone's café will be open prior to the event starting for teas, coffees and snacks. There are also many cafés, restaurants and bars within a short walk.AccessibilityLift to upper floorAccessible toilet facilitiesWheelchair access

Address108-110 Week St, Maidstone ME14 1RHTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. The nearest car parks are in Brewer Street; additional parking is available at The Mall and Fremlin Walk car parks.Travel by busThere are several bus stops within easy walking distance of the town centre.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a five-minute walk from the town centre.Food and drinkMadame Mu Mu has a licensed bar serving a selection of hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages. The bar will be open before and during the event. Why not make a night of it and book a meal first at The Orangery or Fifi's Italian!AccessibilityPlease note, Madame Mu Mu is on the first floor and there is no lift.

Address1-9 Pudding Ln, Maidstone ME14 1JFTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. The nearest car parks are Medway Street car park and Fremlin Walk.Travel by busThere are several bus stops within easy walking distance of the town centre.Travel by trainJunipers is a short walk from both Maidstone East and Maidstone West train stations.Food and drinkJunipers has a licensed bar serving a selection of hot and cold drinks and alcoholic beverages. The bar will be open before and during the event. Why not make a night of it and book a meal first at The Herbalist!AccessibilityPlease note, Junipers is situated downstairs at basement level and there is no lift.

AddressJames Whatman Way, Maidstone, ME14 1LQTravel by carThe Kent History and Library Centre is on the A229, on the second roundabout between junction 6 of the M20 and Maidstone town centre. There are 27 pay and display spaces by the riverside near the library on James Whatman Way. There are further short term Pay & Display spaces across the road in the White Rabbit car park. The nearest long term car parks are at Maidstone East railway station and Femlin Walk.Travel by busBus routes 101, 150 and 155 stop on the side of the building.Travel by trainThe nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a two-minute walk from the library.Food and drinkThe library does not sell food and drink but it is a short walk from the library to the town centre where there are numerous cafés, bars and restaurants.AccessibilityFree designated parking for Blue Badge holders at the front of the buildingDisabled accessPortable hearing loopAccessible toilets with baby change facilitiesGuide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs are welcome

AddressCastle View, Forstal Rd, Maidstone, ME14 3AQTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs for Aylesford North. The Village Hotel is located on Forstal Road, just 100 metres past the roundabout on the left. On-site parking is available for hotel guests and visitors.Travel by busRegular bus services connect Maidstone town centre with the Village Hotel. Buses stop at the nearby Malta Inn on Forstal Road, just a 2–4 minute walk from the hotel.Travel by trainThe nearest railway station is Maidstone Barracks, around a 20-minute walk from the hotel. Alternatively, Maidstone East station is a short taxi or bus ride away.Food and drinkThe Village Hotel offers a range of food and drink options, making it an ideal place to meet friends before your event or continue the conversation afterwards.AccessibilityStep-free entrance and public areasAccessible parkingLift access to upper floorsAccessible toiletsWheelchair-accessible restaurant and event spacesAccessible bedrooms availableAssistance dogs are welcome

AddressHuntsman Lane, Maidstone, ME14 5DSTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 7 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Invicta Grammar School is located on Huntsman Lane. Limited parking is available on site for visitors. Additional parking is available at Vinters Car Park. Travel by busRegular bus services run between Maidstone town centre and Invicta Grammar School. The nearest bus stop is on Huntsman Lane, directly outside the school.Travel by trainThe nearest railway station is Maidstone East, approximately a 20-minute walk from Invicta Grammar School. Alternatively, a short bus or taxi journey is available from the station.Food and drinkA selection of food and drink vendors will be available during our Kids LitFest event, offering refreshments throughout the day.AccessibilityDisabled parking baysDisabled accessAdapted toilet facilitiesBaby change and baby feeding spaces provided

AddressBroomfield, Maidstone, ME17 1PLTravel by carExit the M20 at Junction 8 and follow signs towards Leeds Castle. Parking is available on site. Travel by busAn hourly Saturday bus service calls into the Castle on its way between Ashford and Maidstone. The Castle bus stop is situated conveniently close to the coffee shop and toilets at the entrance to the main drive. Travel by trainThe nearest railway stations are Bearsted and Hollingbourne, both around a 5-minute taxi ride from Leeds Castle. If you prefer to walk, the castle is approximately 30–40 minutes from either station.Food and drinkThere are a number of food and drink outlets around the castle grounds.AccessibilityLeeds Castle has been recognised as a ‘Working to become Dementia Friendly’ organisation by Kent Dementia Action AllianceFully accessible toilets for wheelchair users can be found throughout the groundsVisually and hearing impaired visitors can bring Assistance Dogs into the Castle and groundsSensory packs are available for hire from the visitor centre, primarily aimed at children and young people with neurodiversity and/or other disabilitiesPlease note the Pavilion has a small number of steps

St Faith's StreetMaidstoneME14 1LH

Exit the M20 at Junction 6 and follow signs towards Maidstone town centre. Pay and Display car parking is available at Fremlin Walk car park.

Bus stops at Royal Star Arcade and Brenchley Gardens are a short walk from the museum.

The nearest train station is Maidstone East, which is a two-minute walk from the museum.

The museum does not sell food and drink but it is a short walk from both Week Street and Fremlin Walk where you will find numerous shops, cafés and restaurants.

Service dogs welcomeAccess rampsAll rooms fully accessible by wheelchairLift to first floor (not suitable for electric mobility scooters)Hearing loopFive disabled parking spaces for blue badge holders

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. Each entry has a £3 submission fee.

No. All entries must be made via the website.

Yes. Successful entrants will be asked which name they wish to use for publication.

No. If you wish to submit a revised version, you must enter again and pay the entry fee.

Yes. You will need to submit a new entry that complies with the anonymity requirements.

Yes. Provided the work was not published, did not receive a cash prize, and has been substantially altered, it remains eligible.

No. Previously published work is not eligible.

Yes.

Yes. However, if your entry wins elsewhere, you must immediately withdraw it from the Maidstone LitFest poetry competition. Likewise, if your entry wins with us, you should withdraw it from any other competitions.

An author’s own translation of their work into English is eligible. Translations by another person or generated with AI are not eligible.

Yes, provided amendments have been made to the original work, it was not published in the UK, and the translation is your own work completed without AI assistance.

All poems are judged anonymously. Entrant details are kept separate from the poems, and the judge receives only the poems themselves.

Winners and highly commended entrants will be contacted during August. Proofing for the prize pamphlet will take place in September.

Worldwide copyright remains with the author. However, Maidstone LitFest retains unrestricted rights to publish winning and highly commended poems in the 2026 prize pamphlet and may use extracts for promotional purposes.

Yes please! Five-year-olds have the best imaginations! We split the competition into six groups: Years 1–2 (ages 5–7) Years 3–4 (ages 7–9) Years 5–6 (ages 9–11) Years 7–8 (ages 11–13) Years 9–11 (ages 13-16) Years 12–13 (ages 16–18) That means there are six prizes available: one in each age group.

Unfortunately not but you could always save your other stories for competitions we run in the future.

Yes, if your teacher is entering your story into the competition you don't need to do anything else at the moment. You only need to enter your story separately if your teacher isn't doing it.

Absolutely. Your story can be as short as you like, as long as it is a complete story with a beginning, a middle and an end. The only rule is that is can't be MORE than the word limit in your age category: Years 1–2: up to 400 words Years 3–4: up to 500 words Years 5–6: up to 500 words Years 7–8: up to 750 words Years 9–11: up to 1000 words Years 12–13: up to 1000 words

Yes – this year's theme is MAGIC IN MAIDSTONE. Whether it’s a tale of hidden portals in Maidstone Museum or the quiet magic of a sunset walk along the River Medway, we’re looking for short stories that bring the magic of Maidstone to life – real or imagined!

When we have been sent all of the stories, we will read each of them and choose a shortlist for each category. (That means the top five stories in each age group will be chosen.) We will then give the shortlisted stories to our judges who will decide who the winners are in each category. If your story is shortlisted, we will contact you and your parents/carers to let you know. You will be invited to a special event at the Maidstone LitFest in October to celebrate your hard work. If your story is chosen as the winner in your age group, you will be invited to a special event at the Maidstone LitFest to receive your prize.

Ah, the important bit. The winner in each age group will win: a £25 Waterstones voucher a certificate a bag of festival goodies a VIP family ticket to our children's and young people's event at the festival a chance to have their story read out loud by a children's author We will also publish your story on the festival website for everyone to see!