| After reviewing no less than 15 prospective rally sites, the venue chosen for the 2010 Euro Rally is Aylesford Priory, set in the heart of Kent. The Priory itself is an ancient religious house of the Order of Carmelites dating back to the 13th Century. |  |
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On site, a restored seventeenth century barn houses a tearoom, with outside seating and a shop. The tearoom is open daily all year round and offers visitors a good range of refreshments and light snacks. The shop sells religious articles, souvenirs and gifts, and the book department has been expanded to make it one of the most comprehensive Christian bookshops in Kent. | |
As well as camping, there is an on-site guest house with accommodation for up to 100 guests. The accommodation is simple but comfortable and there is a range of single, double, twin and family rooms available, however, there are few en-suite facilities, due to the age of the buildings (communal facilities are available for non-en-suite rooms). If you would like to book B&B accommodation at the Priory rooms will be available to book from Monday, 4 January 2010.
May I suggest that you make your booking soon as possible after that date to avoid disappointment, as the Priory has many visitors throughout the Summer. Bookings for the guest house should be made directly with Aylesford Priory, 01622 717272. When making your booking please ensure that you tell them that you are with the CBX Club Euro Rally. If you are unable to make a reservation at the Priory, there are numerous hotels and B&Bs in the area, I would be pleased to help you find alternative accommodation - a list will be published in the next magazine together with further details of the Rally as well as on the club website. For those of you wishing to camp, you will be able to book your pitch directly with the club next year. In the meantime, why not visit make a virtual visit to Aylesford Priory on www.thefriars.org.uk |
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Aylesford Village Aylesford is a beautiful village, only 2 miles from the centre of Maidstone. The Friary is only 150 metres from the church you see in the picture. The River Medway is in the foreground. In the village you will find, a general store, HSBC bank with a cash machine, three pubs - The Chequers (food), The Bush (food), The Little Gem (no food), a tea shop and the Hengist restaurant. There are regular train and bus services to Maidstone. |
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| Maidstone Aylesford is located just outside Maidstone, the County Town of Kent (10 minutes by car / bike). Maidstone itself has many attractions including a market on Saturday mornings, shopping in Fremlin's Walk and Chequers Centre in the town centre, cinema, three museums and numerous pubs, clubs and restaurants. 
The world famous Leeds and Hever Castles are also close by. For those looking for something more relaxing there are river boat trips up and down the River Medway. Next door to the Priory is the Kent Life Museum which has a new indoor play barn, an outdoor play area and an animal cuddle corner and farmyard fun (www.kentlife.org.uk). So there is plenty for the family to do. If you would like to know more, details can be found on www.maidstonetowncentre.com or call 01622 678777 and ask for a Maidstone Town Centre Guide.
And if you want more shopping, Bluewater (the largest shopping centre in Europe !!!) is only 25 minutes by car / bike from The Friars. A229 - M2 motorway (direction London) - A2. |
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| Lastly, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their experiences of previous rallies and ideas of what they would like for future rallies. Please keep your ideas coming.
Full details for the Euro Rally will be published in the Club's Spring magazine. In the meantime, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch I will be very pleased to hear from you - email: amandabrownuk@yahoo.com, telephone: 01732 220493 or write to me at 12 Pearl Way, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4EJ. |
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