Ashford
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Right in the heart of Kent, the famous “Garden of England”, Ashford has bloomed into a lively, cosmopolitan commercial centre. Officially a market town, Ashford's fortunes took a swift upward turn with the opening of Ashford International railway station in 1996.
With trains now arriving from Paris daily, Ashford has a bustling continental atmosphere and is expected to double in size over the next 25 years. This is thanks in part to the new fast train link High Speed 1, getting you into London St. Pancras in an amazing 35 minutes!
However, despite all this activity, Ashford retains its rural charm. You'll find 19th Century windmills and medieval buildings alongside bright shopping centres and trendy restaurants. You're only ever a stroll away from the scent of apple orchards, the sight of rolling hills and the tranquil sound of wild birds singing.
Things to see and do in Ashford
- Indulge in a little retail therapy at the McArthurGlen Ashford Designer Outlet where you can choose from over 100 discount luxury brand stores.
- Visit the towering Willesborough Windmill, which has been turning since 1869.
- If you're interested in wildlife, the nearby Port Lympne Wild Animal Park has dozens of rare and colourful species.
- For more domesticated (but no less exciting) animals, try the South of England Rare Breeds Centre where you can get close to farm breeds.
- Admire the colourful flowers and beautiful topiary at Beech Court Gardens in nearby Challock.
- Find out more about the towns roots the Ashford Museum, housed in a 17th Century grammar school building.
- See one of the best examples of Jacobean architecture in the region at Godinton House and Gardens, home to the Toke family for over 450 years.
More Ashford information
For its size, the town has a very good range of accommodation, from major Ashford hotels to small bed and breakfasts in Ashford - you'll also find plenty of rooms close to Ashford International too.
For more information visit the official tourism website for Ashford
