Muggleton Inn, Maidstone

Another in the series of views of Maidstone. The Muggleton is a Weatherspoon's Inn and is named after Charles Dickens who knew the Medway towns well. Maidstone, or 'Muggleton', as he called it, featured in The Pickwick Papers.

"8-9 High Street was built in 1827 by John Whichcord Senior as the Royal Insurance Offices. It is a fine 3 storey building of Portland stone with the ground floor rusticated (large blocks of masonry that are separated by deep joints and decorated with a bold, usually textured, design).

8 engaged fluted Ionic columns rise through the 1st and 2nd floors supporting the entablature (the flat bit on top). The parapet above the 3rd floor has an elaborate cartouche (a structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament} over the centre and is surmounted by a helmet. (Which I can't see)

The 7 sash windows on the 1st and 2nd floor are set in moulded architrave surrounds with glazing bars intact. The ground floor has large windows with segmental heads (now containing plate glass) with 2 archways at the west end, of equal size, forming a passageway through the building into Market Buildings one for pedestrians and one for vehicles. These arches are supported on 4 Tuscan columns.

Spent the afternoon arranging flights, accomodation and car hire for California next August and September before going back into town for a meal out at Turning Tables with Chris and Wendy. A good meal in good company but we were the only people in the restuarant. We got a good deal too, with 50% off food with out TasteCard.

Maidstone looked very good around Jubilee Square at night with this building and other imposing structures lit up. At least Maidstone has done something right with the Town Centre.