CRUISING AREA AND POSITION
This is splendid, East Farleigh lock is upstream where there follows beautiful tranquil cruising to Tonbridge, passing medieval villages, bridges, pubs etc. Downstream, there is Allington lock, which can accommodate vessels of up to 53 metres (175 feet) by 6.5 metres (21.5 feet) and leads on to the tidal Medway, the River Thames, the canal system ("Appendix C. - Cruising between the Canal System and the River Medway") and the open sea. The area is therefore ideal for everybody from river cruisers to salt water sailors. The height (air draft) under the lowest bridge downstream is about 3.6 metres (11.8 feet) although some maps incorrectly show 2.55 metres. Whereas the site appears to be right in the country, it is in fact, on the edge of Maidstone, the County town of Kent, with three railway stations and all of its restaurants, museums, shops and facilities, including a theatre. Maidstone West station is only 1 mile away. In the other direction, the beautiful village of East Farleigh with its railway station is similarly about 1 mile away. There are shops and pubs within walking distance and bus services at the top of Unicumes lane.