Maidstone Zoo
I remember as a child going to Maidstone Zoo on the bus from Sittingbourne with my parents. We did this about once a year - I think it was always on a Sunday. I was born in 1951 so don't remember the early 1950s. What I'm having trouble with is trying to locate where it was, and also what is there now in its place. I also remembered the smell of it, which was not very nice, especially in the long hot summers. The trouble is that people I speak to about it don't seem to know anything about there ever being a zoo there. So maybe there is someone out there who can enlighten me as to what stands in place of it now, and is there a plaque to say it once stood there?
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RE: RE: Maidstone Zoo
I think the Elephant House still stands, and can be reached by the park.
Somewhere in the past I remember something about a wartime visit by Laurel and Hardy, but I can't find any reference to it at the moment.
Comment from John Seager on Thursday, 9th July 2009.
RE: RE: Maidstone Zoo
I cant remember being taken there but apparently I was, by my mum and aunt. We went to look at the monkeys and because it was in the 1950s my mum had her bucket bag with her. One of the monkeys took a liking to it and pulled it through the bars. Cheeky devil. Mum did get it back eventually though. I too never knew where it was. Someone had mentioned they thought it was in Cobtree Park so I popped in there yesterday. I asked at the cafe and they kindly pointed me in the direction of the old elephant house which although overgrown is still there. The gates are there too. It's a lovely park with mature trees and shrubs. I had lunch there which was very filling and plentiful for the price. I will be going back. Thankyou Francis Frith site for the photographs of the old zoo. It has quenched my curiosity of where it was. Everybody I've asked over the years didn't know anything about it. I've also got another query, I keep thinking that there was an elephant under the scenic railway at Margates Dreamland? I think I may have just dreamt that though, unless somebody out there knows different.
Comment from Sandra Church on Sunday, 24th April 2011.
RE: RE: Maidstone Zoo
I think the Elephant House still stands, and can be reached by the park.
Somewhere in the past I remember something about a wartime visit by Laurel and Hardy, but I can't find any reference to it at the moment.
Comment from John Seager on Thursday, 9th July 2009.