England's first Carmelite Priory was founded in 1242 on this site in Aylesford.

At the time of the Dissolution in 1538, the Friars passed to Sir Thomas Wyatt of nearby Allington Castle. When the Wyatt family lost all their lands, the Friars was passed to Sir John Sedley and subsequently to Sir John Banks who completely transformed the Friars into a Caroline mansion in the 1670s.

In 1930, the mansion was severely damaged by a fire. Major restructural work uncovered the original fabric of the Priory. The Friars was but back on the market and in 1949 the Carmelites were able to buy it back and restore their medieval home to its former glory.

Now back to its original use as a working Priory, the medieval buildings are surrounded by tranquil gardens that are open to the public to view.

View The Friars Visitor information