Set along the River Medway, Aylesford is a picturesque and historic village known for its strong community spirit, charming period properties, and idyllic riverside setting. It offers a wonderful balance of countryside calm and modern convenience.
Residents enjoy a superb choice of local dining. The Little Gem, a traditional alehouse dating back to the 1100s, is full of character, while The Hengist offers refined dining and expertly mixed cocktails. The Chequers, with its scenic riverside terrace, is perfect for long lunches or evening drinks beside the water.
There are beautiful riverside walks and countryside trails, including routes to The Friars, a former religious house with tranquil gardens, a café, and a popular farmers market.
Families are particularly well served by the local education offering. Aylesford has a ‘Good’-rated primary school in the village and an ‘Outstanding’-rated primary just outside. The wider area also includes a secondary school. For selective education, there are numerous highly regarded grammar schools in both Maidstone and Rochester, including Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, The Rochester Grammar School, Maidstone Grammar School, and Invicta Grammar School. Prestigious independent schools such as King’s School, Rochester and Sutton Valence School offer excellent private education within easy reach.
Everyday essentials are close by, with M&S Foodhall, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi just minutes away. Commuters benefit from Aylesford Station, with London-bound services (via Strood) reaching St Pancras in under an hour. Ebbsfleet International is just 23 minutes by car, with high-speed trains to London in just 19 minutes. The M2 and M20 are also easily accessible.
Just four miles away, Maidstone, the County Town of Kent, offers a comprehensive range of retail, dining, cultural, and recreational facilities—making Aylesford the ideal base for village charm, riverside living, and excellent connectivity.
Wickham Lodge has been a remarkable place to call home, steeped in history, with a captivating outlook over the ever-changing tides of the River Medway. From the riverside terrace, the views towards Aylesford Bridge and the meandering stretch downstream are always a memorable sight.
Originally two medieval lodges, the house has many stories to tell. Clues to its past include the family emblem of Archbishop Thomas Bourchier and a Tudor Rose etched into a bressumer beam; mooring bollards where river barges once unloaded onto the quay; and, reputedly, the very first water tap in Aylesford, installed for the village doctor who once lived here.
This has always been a house made for sharing, with a layout and atmosphere ideal for entertaining and family gatherings, both inside and out, whether on one of the terraces or beneath the vines in the covered seating area. The self-contained stables and coach house have been a wonderful way for family to be close by, yet live independently.
We’ve loved living here. it’s been a special place, full of warmth, memories, and moments we’ll always cherish.