How to get there

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By car
Kent Showground is located alongside the A249 to the east of Maidstone and between the M20 (Junction 7) and M2 (Junction 5) motorways. It has a very large car parking area and parking is free.

There is an area for Blue Badge holders close to the pedestrian entrance from the car park into the event.

If you need to park in that area please tell the marshals who will be directing cars through the car park.

A frequent free bus service runs around the showground that can be used to get from the entrance from the car park to the vehicle displays, the main exhibition hall and the Heritage Transport Show.

A map of the area showing the location of the showground can be seen by clicking the 'Area map' button at the top of this page.

For those using SatNav, the showground's Post Code is ME14 3JF.

Please note that, due to the nature of the A249 dual carriageway, anyone travelling from London, the Dartford Crossing, the M26 or West Kent should use the M20 and exit at Junction 7 onto the A249 which will take you straight to the showground.

If you approach from the M2 you will have to travel a significant distance along the A249 to the M20 Junction 7 roundabout to turn round and then head back along the eastbound A249 carriageway and up Detling Hill to the showground as there is no facility for turning from the westbound carriageway into the showground.

By bus

There is no longer a regular public bus service to the showground but it is hoped that some local bus operators will provide bus links from the Medway Towns, Maidstone and other towns direct to the showground.

Full details of any such services will be posted here and on the Facebook page as soon as they have been finalised.

The following has already been confirmed by Chalkwell Coaches:

From the Isle of Sheppey, Iwade and Sittingbourne

Chalkwell Coaches will provide a bus link from the Isle of Sheppey, Iwade and Sittingbourne direct to the South East Bus Festival.

Service X20 will run from Sheerness (Tesco) at 0900, Sheerness (Aldi) at 0905, Minster (Wards Hill, Bottom) at 0916, Minster (Harps Inn) at 0919, Halfway (The Heritage) at 0922, Queenborough Corner at 0926, Iwade (School Lane) at 0936, Sonora Fields (Jacinth Drive) at 0942, Sittingbourne (Morrisons) at 0950, Sittingbourne Bus Hub (close to the Rail Station) at 1000 and London Road (opposite The Coniston Hotel) at 1003. It is due to arrive at Kent Showground at 1025.

A second journey will run from Sittingbourne Bus Hub at 1200, running via London Road (opposite The Coniston Hotel) at 1203 and due to arrive at Kent Showground at 1225.

Buses back from the showground will run at 1415 to Sittingbourne only, and at 1615 to Sittingbourne, Iwade and Sheerness.

This service is being provided commercially by Chalkwell Coaches and a £10 adult return fare will apply, but there will also be a £5 single fare for those who only use the service in one direction.

Those under 16 years of age will be able to travel free of charge.

All-day adult Discovery Tickets will be accepted on these buses. You can see further information about the Discovery Ticket here.

English National Concessionary Passes, Kent Travel Savers and PlusBus tickets will not be valid for travel on this service and it is not part of the Government’s £3 maximum single fare scheme.

You can download the X20 timetable here.

By train

The nearest train stations are Maidstone East, Maidstone West and Sittingbourne but there are no longer regular bus services to and from the showground.

We hope, however, that buses providing direct links from the rail stations to the showground will be provided by local operators.

As soon as arrangements are finalised, full details of any such services that are offered will be advertised here and on the Facebook page.

Please check back later for details.