Aylesham
For friendly village life within easy reach of the beautiful city of Canterbury, channel crossings at Dover, and the scenic Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, look no further than Aylesham. The former mining village is now a popular location for first time buyers and young families thanks to the local amenities and schools, handy transport links, and proximity to city attractions.
Newcomers to the town can embrace village life through the range of local groups and events, head to Canterbury for plenty of historic attractions, shops and restaurants, or travel 20 minutes south to reach glorious beaches and clifftop views. There really is something for everyone in this charming corner of Kent.
Shops and amenities
Aylesham is a compact village with a central Market Square encircled by a range of shops including a Co-op Food, Boots pharmacy and post office, plus a new health centre – all your everyday essentials in one place. Other facilities in the village include a leisure centre with a range of sports teams and fitness classes, and the Community Hall which hosts the local choirs, boxing club, yoga sessions and dance classes, among other events.
For a wider range of facilities and attractions, the historic city of Canterbury is just 10 miles away and has plenty to see and do, from a wide range of high street and independent shops, to numerous bars and eateries, to historical and cultural attractions.
Good education options nearby
Aylesham is a great place to raise a family, with a nursery, two primary schools rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, and family-friendly facilities including a library and extra-curricular clubs. Older children can attend one of the many excellent secondary schools in Canterbury, easily reached by regular buses.
Enjoy local nature and attractions
Situated in the ‘Garden of England’, Aylesham benefits from beautiful surroundings, with the Kent Downs offering dramatic landscapes and pretty villages to explore. Enjoy family days out at the seaside; at Deal and St Margaret’s Bay just half an hour away, or in the fascinating and lively port of Dover. Meanwhile, nature lovers and walkers will fall in love with the famous White Cliffs of Dover, the Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve and Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve, which are just a short drive away.
Handy transport links
Aylesham benefits from convenient public transport links, with the village train station providing routes to Canterbury, Dover and surrounding villages, along with direct routes into London Victoria. For road travel, the nearby A2 heads south to the coast and north to the M2, and then on to the M25 – perfect if you need to commute. If you’re heading overseas you couldn’t be better placed, with the Eurotunnel at Folkestone 19 minutes away, the ferry at Dover 24 minutes away, and Gatwick Airport just 1 hour and 15 minutes away.