Group & School Visits
The Friars welcomes parish groups, first communion and confirmation groups and other faiths as well as clubs, special interest groups and school visits.
Parishes are welcome to join the community at their regular services or have the use of a chapel for their own prayer and reflection or Mass. Other visitors are welcome to look around the chapels at the inspiring art or wander among the historic buildings. Our guide book, available from Reception or the Shop, offers a good tour explaining what you will see.
Many schools bring their students to the Priory. School worksheets are available linking in to the National Curriculum or teachers are welcome to design their own according to the theme of their visit. If requested, schools can be welcomed by a friar who will talk to the students briefly about their life and work and answer questions. They are then, of course, welcome to join the community for the midday Mass or have their own Mass if they have a parish priest with them. The day can be rounded off with an opportunity for the students to let off steam with games on our open spaces perhaps before visiting the shop for mementoes of their visit.
All group visits must be pre booked by contacting the shrine secretary on mark.coatsworth@thefriars.org.uk
Aylesford Priory has been a regular place of pilgrimage for young people. The site allows many different aspects of our Christian faith to be explored through the environment, art, history, prayer and liturgy. The Carmelite order has a strong tradition of welcoming pilgrims to their home and ministering to their needs. Groups from other faiths or none are very welcomed.
Kent Catholic School's Partnership Pilgrimage Day 2022
'The Friars' - A place of Transformation
We know that people and groups visit our site for many reasons, we are always pleased to welcome and offer hospitality to all. The site holds its significance because of the Shrine and the Carmelite community who still live and work here at ‘The Friars’. Many people attending come to find peace, a space for prayer and reflection away from the regular routine.
We have produced pilgrimage themed resources to support visiting groups. These resources have been prepared in collaboration with the Carmelite community, teachers, chaplains, and youth workers. As with any resource you can adapt the material to the needs of your group The secondary material can work with older groups.
The materials are in a pdf format and can be viewed on a tablet
Primary School Resource click here Secondary School Resource click here