The largest town in Kent, Maidstone lies just over 30 miles outside of London, and so is a popular choice with commuters into the city. The name of Maidstone is taken to mean 'the maidens' stone' and the settlement of Maidstone back around the time the Domesday Book was created in 1086, belonged to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Eventually, Maidstone became a market town and still to this day, it acts as a big part of the country's agricultural heart, being situated in the heart of orchard country, with the largest hops-growing area in England. With royal connections and rebellions, and over 2,000 listed buildings in its borough, Maidstone is home to the 900 year old Leeds Castle, and romantic ruin of Thurnham Castle on the edge of the North Downs.