AYLSFORD

 The name stems from a tribal chieftain, Aegel, whose settlement was at Aylsham, and denotes a ford crossing the Medway at this point.

Aylesford seems to have attracted famous battles throughout British history; Hengest the Jute fought the British leader Vortigern here in 455 AD, King Alfred defeated the Danes in 893 AD, and Edmund Ironside did likewise in 1016, pursuing the fleeing invaders all the way from Otford and killing many by the time they reached Aylesford. And the royals kept coming; William the Conqueror took Aylesford manor for himself after the Norman Conquest.

Originally a small riverside settlement, the old village comprises around 60 houses, many of which were formerly shops. Two pubs, a village shop and other amenities including a hairdressers, estate agents, two restaurants, a chiropodist and a coffee shop are located on the high street.

Due to the village's location on its banks, the River Medway has been a key influence on its development. It was also the place where one of the earliest bridges across the Medway was built, believed to be in the 14th century (although the wide central span seen today is later). Upstream from Rochester Bridge it became the next bridging point. The river was navigable as far as Maidstone until 1740, when barges of forty tons could reach as far as Tonbridge. As a result wharves were built, one being at Aylesford. Corn, fodder and fruit, along with stone and timber, were the principal cargoes.

There's a lovely green park between the car park and the village, right next to the bridge, and a handy path from there into the centre of the village. The village has been by-passed, so will remain unspoilt.

The one time vicar in Aylesford, was the Rev.Thorndike, father to the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, and the author Russell Thorndike, he of the Doctor Syn stories, about a vicar in Dymchurch.