The Cache is not at the published co-ordinates, it takes you to memorial stone near a large Free Car-Park, and the start of a short stroll through Aylesford.
Aylesford
The name Aylesford is believed to have derived from a local chieftain Aegel who controlled this strategic crossing of the Medway (Aegels Ford).
The crossing has been the subject of several battles :
In 455 Saxon leaders Hengist and Horsa battled against the Vortigern, the King of the Britons. In 893 Alfred the Great defeated the Danes, and again the Danes were defeated by Edmond II Ironside in 1016 .
A wooden Bridge was constructed in 1287, and later replaced by the current stone Bridge. The Bridge is now closed to traffic, but open to pedestrians and cyclists.
St. Peter and St.Paul's
It is not known how long a Church or Chapel has been at this site, although the base of the Tower is Norman, and records show that a church dedicated to St Paul was built in the 12th century on the site of a Saxon chapel.
The Church has been the subject of various additions and restorations at various times in the 14th and 15th centuries. The Church underwent an extremely thorough, and costly, restoration in 1878 the inside was completely stripped out, and all the walls were re-plastered; externally most of the masonry of the windows was renewed and a series of buttresses were added to the east end.
Near the entrance to the South Porch is the vault of the Spong Family. It is believed that Charles Dickens based Mr Wardle from Pickwick Papers on a member of the Spong family. Charles Dickens family had reserved a burial plot for Charles in Aylesford, but he now lies in Poets Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Inside you will find attractive features such as the swords and helmets hanging in the chancel and chapel, the 17th century Colepepper tomb, a beautiful brass in the floor of the chapel, and the spectacularly painted Victorian organ.
The organ was built by the Hull firm of Forster and Andrews in 1865. In 1879 it was extended to house 981 pipes, and finally moved to its current location and electrified in 1965.
One unusual artifact is a Table Tomb located in the grounds to the East of the Church. If you know of any other Table Tombs in the South East please e-mail us with the location so we can visit.
If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication
To view the church micro stats page, please click here
To obtain the cache co-ordinates you will have to find the following numbers.
Question 1 - The Stone :
When was Aylesford Stone Bridge built? - 1AB0
Question 2 - A Convenient Place :
The Alcove was moved from a wall built in ? - C86D
Question 3 - The Information Board :
The Office Number ? - 0162E F19G6H
The Cache is at :
N 51.18. G A (H+C)
E 000 28. F D (B-E)
For the final location, you initially have to head to the left or the right. One route is slightly shorter than the other, but we'll let you discover which one is best. The route is not through Church grounds, and at the final location you should find a small clip top box suitable for small travel bugs and coins.