Aylesford Priory - A Catholic Retreat Centre in the Kent Countrysde

Accommodation at The Friars, Aylesford is simple but comfortable, catering for single people, couples and families. Food can be included in your stay and is served in the old Pilgrims’ Hall. Upstairs from this Hall is a library of spiritual books which visitors can borrow entirely on trust to take back to their rooms to read. 

There's plenty to do at The Friars if you are just coming for a day trip.

Some visitors come to The Friars with their parishes on pilgrimage, others in family groups or with friends to enjoy one of the many traditional activities - a country fair, an outdoor play, a vintage motorbike rally, a wood turning display – to name but a few.

Others come alone to enjoy not only these communal celebrations, but to find a rare tranquility in the peaceful atmosphere of the lake and gardens.

There is a Tea Room, Book and Gift Shops. Mass is celebrated daily.

In the grounds of Aylesford Priory there is a pottery where exclusive and original pieces are created and displayed in the showroom. The Pottery is proud that its first Manager was David Leach, son of the great potter, Bernard Leach.

As well as selling exclusive designs the pottery hosts corporate team-building days and pottery classes for the general public.

The Friars dates back to the 13th century when a knight, Richard de Grey, a crusader, granted a small piece of his land at Aylesford to the first Carmelites from the Holy Land.

From this motherhouse there developed over the next fifty years more than thirty priories in England and Wales including London, Oxford and Cambridge.

 In the Middle Ages Aylesford Priory (The Friars)  became a traditional stopping-off point for pilgrims on their way to the Shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury.

The oldest building at Aylesford is called The Pilgrims’ Hall because this is where hospitality and rest were offered to tired pilgrims.

Pilgrimage still plays an important part in the life of the Priory today.

History, politics and natural events took their toll on The Friars and the property not only passed from landed gentry to businessman, but was partly destroyed by fire in 1939.

When The Friars was put up for sale in 1949 the Carmelites bought it back and began the task of restoring it. Craftsmen and artists were commissioned to build the open-air shrine.

Beautiful ceramics were created by the Polish refugee, Adam Kossowski.   

Anyone, whether of a spiritual bent or not, will enjoy walking along the path which follows the The Rosary Way.  

This is  a beautiful, contemplative walk through a peaceful tree-lined avenue where you can devote time to the images depicted by the stunning ceramic sculptures of Adam Kossowski.

Whether you come for a day out or a longer stay, The Friars, Aylesford Priory, Kent will not disappoint. Little wonder it has been called, "a prayer in stone."

You can find out more about visiting Aylesford Priory at their website.