Aylesford is derived from an Old English personal name, who at some point controlled the ford over the river Medway. The name first appears at the time of Edmund Ironside, when it is referred to as
It is said that Aylesford is one of the oldest continually occupied sites in England, although many villages make such a claim.
The crossing was scene to a number of infamous battles; between the Britons and Romans, then against the Jutes, it is claimed Alfred the Great won a victory there, as did Edmund Ironside in 918AD.
The first recorded bridge at Aylesford is one of wood, in 1287. This was replaced by a stone bridge in the 14th century, and was the only Medway river crossing after Rochester.
In 1240 Richard de Grey, lord of Cud nor, together with Richard earl of Cornwall, on their return from the Holy Land introduced a group of Carmelites to England. Richard de Grey provided a house for them on his manor and built a church, with the assistance of the Bishop of Rochester.
During the reformation the Friars was purchased by Sir Thomas Wyatt, who subsequently lost all his lands when he opposing the marriage of Queen Mary to the Catholic King of Spain. The Friars was given to Sir John Sedley and in 1670 Sir John Banks, who redesigned it in the style of a Caroline mansion.
By 1949 the friars, having been damaged by fire was purchased again by the Carmelites, who restored it to former glories.
On 18th June 1856, Aylesford station was opened on the Strood to Maidstone line.
A paper mill was erected on the side of the river in 1684, and survived until 1922, when it closed, with the building being demolished in 1950.
A church dedicated to St Paul was built in the 12th century on the site of a Saxon chapel. Additions and restorations were carried out at various times in the 14th, 15th and 19th centuries.
