Aylesford, The Friars Courtyard c1960 (ref. A85022) | The Friary Courtyard c1960
The friary is situated on the outskirts
of Aylesford village. It was dissolved by
Henry VIII, but the Carmelites returned
in 1949 and set about rebuilding their
old monastery. Today, it is an intriguing
mixture of old and new architecture.
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Aylesford, The Friars Courtyard c1960 (ref. A85023) | The Friary Courtyard c1960
All is quiet except for a friar crossing the
courtyard. Most of the buildings date
from the 14th and 15th centuries, but
there are traces going back to medieval
times. The Pilgrim's Hall is little altered
from the 15th century.
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Aylesford, the Village c1960 (ref. A85080) | A close-up of the cottages nestling by the side of the River Medway, with St Peter's Church in the background.
Although this scene appears tranquil, the railway line runs close to the river here, and now the M2 motorway runs
only a short distance further south.
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Aylesford, the Bridge c1960 (ref. A85045) | Another fine view, this time taken at high tide. The river washes the quayside above the bridge. The Church of
St Peter dominates the scene.
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Aylesford, c1960 (ref. A85053) | A close-up of the bridge taken downsteam of the previous pictures. There is a magnificent prospect of the church,
which looks over the eight brick gables of the cottages. The bridge is built of ragstone and dates from the 14th
century. A further bridge has been built since these photos were taken.
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Aylesford, the Church c1960 (ref. A85073) | This view emphasises the fine proportions of the church, with its west tower of ragstone, together with its stair
turret. In the foreground can be seen the old churchyard.
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Aylesford, the Church c1960 (ref. A85058) | This photograph shows a quintessential
English village scene in summer. The
village cottages and houses crowd down
to the river, surrounded by luxuriant
vegetation. St Peter's Church stands
guardian on its knoll.
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Aylesford, the River c1960 (ref. A85049) | A close-up of St Peter's Church, which
dates from Norman times, although it is
mostly medieval. In the foreground is a
stair-turret to the rood-loft.
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Aylesford, Bridge and High Street c1960 (ref. A85078) | A wonderfully evocative village scene. This view is taken from the bridge, looking into the village. The narrow width
of the medieval bridge is clearly seen, which even then required traffic lights to regulate the flow of vehicles. The
noticeboards on the left speak of an era now disappeared.
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Aylesford, The Almshouses c1960 (ref. A85050) | These houses, also known as the Hospital of the Holy Trinity, were founded in the 17th century. Built in ragstone,
these pleasant cottages with dormers were restored in about 1842. They were extended at one end at the close of
the Victorian era.
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Aylesford, Cage Hill c1960 (ref. A85071) | Aylesford is a knot of twisting streets, clinging to the side of the valley. In this view of the road near the church,
the quiet nature of the road is clearly visible, recalling a typical village scene before the car began to strangle the
English village.
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Aylesford, Kits Coty House 1898 (ref. 41555) | Kits Coty House, a prehistoric burial monument, is sited on a crest of the North Downs a mile or two to the north
of Aylesford village. There are three upright stones, covered by a cap stone about 13ft long. In this picture the
monument was even then surrounded by iron railings to protect it from visitors. Today the Pilgrim's Way, a well-
known long-distance path, runs nearby and there are many more visitors than when this photograph was taken.
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Aylesford, Preston Hall 1898 (ref. 41552) | Preston Hall is situated about half a mile south of Aylesford. It was built for Edward Betts in about 1850.
Architecturally, the result is not altogether pleasing, but this view shows its sprawling skyline to perfection. Since
these pictures were taken, it has become a chest hospital.
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Aylesford, Preston Hall and Fountain 1898 (ref. 41554) | The fountain was carved by the architect John Thomas in 1851. He was sculptor to Prince Albert, and the
Fountain is one of the more successful aspects of the design of the house. Note the tower to the right of the
main building.
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Aylesford, The Friars Original Buildings c1960 (ref. A85032) | The Carmelite friary was founded in 1242 when the first Carmelites arrived from the Holy Land. They stayed here
until the Dissolution of the Monasteries three hundred years later. Four hundred years after it was dissolved, the
Carmelites returned. This picture shows part of the remains of the foundations of the original building. The small
scale of the earlier buildings when compared to those built later is striking.
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Bearsted, Church 1898 (ref. 41566) | The church is Norman, and this picture shows its tower which is crowned with some curious sculptures of lions.
The church also possesses a massive timbered roof.
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Leeds Castle, 1892 (ref. 31500) | A famous view of Leeds Castle rising serenely from its two islands in a lake on the river Len. At that time, it was still
a private residence, its past as a 'queen's castle' and a prison for 'persons of consequence' but a distant memory.
This view shows the magnificent main building and the Gloirette, a D-shaped 'annex' linked to the main building
by a double-story bridge.
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Leeds Castle, 1898 (ref. 41568) | A wonderful view of the Castle, showing to advantage the main building and the Gloirette, as well as the Maiden
Tower, just visible on the left hand side as the lake swings round to the Gate Tower. Unusually for photographs of
the time, the clouds are seen to good effect.
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Leeds Castle, 1892 (ref. 31498) | A superb view of the main building and the Gloirette. Although the Castle appears to be medieval, its turrets and
battlements in fact date from a rebuilding in the late 1820s. The lake is part of the river Len.
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Leeds Castle, 1892 (ref. 31503) | This view looks towards the Gloirette; on the left can be seen the main building. In this picture, the magnificent
location of the Castle, surrounded by its enchanting lake, is clearly seen.
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