Ashford

Ashford

Type:Towns & Villages

Kent
Ashford Designer Outlet, Kent

About

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 do in Ashford

Ashford boasts a distinct variety of attractions and things to do, all within a twenty minute drive

  • Indulge in a little retail therapy at the Ashford Designer Outlet where you can choose from over 100 discount luxury brand stores.
  • For more domesticated (but no less exciting) animals, try the South of England Rare Breeds Centre where you can get close to farm breeds.
  • Find out why the South East coast is producing sparkling wine to rival the quality of Champagne at BalfourWinery.
  • Visit The Lashenden Air Warfare Museum is one of the longest established aviation museums in the country, having been formed in 1970.
  • Belmont House is a marvellous example of Georgian architecture that commands stunning views of the rolling Kent countryside.

Find things to do this weekend in Ashford with our Kent What's On guide. Explore villages near Ashford and other places to visit in the 'What's Nearby' listings below.

Book Tickets

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Ashford is about 55 miles south east of London, is easily accessible via the major motorway networks of the M20 and M26 and is well served by public transport.

Video

  • Visit Kent

What's Nearby

  1. Ashford & Tenterden Tourism Association

    Ashford & Tenterden Tourism Association (ATTA) is a fully constituted membership…

    0.23 miles away
  2. Willesborough Windmill

    135 year old Smock Mill, in course of restoration. Miller's cottage, restored Hornsby…

    1.24 miles away
  3. Godinton House and Gardens

    An ancient estate in a magnificent park with thrilling formal gardens now splendidly…

    2.01 miles away
  1. Fact or Fiction Tours

    Fact or Fiction Tours offers coach tours, walking tours and lectures around the South…

    3.75 miles away
  2. Kent Downs & North Downs Way AONB

    The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a nationally important,…

    5.35 miles away
  3. South of England Rare Breeds Centre

    Large collection of rare farm breeds on a working farm with children's play activities.…

    6.05 miles away
  4. Belmont House and Gardens

    A late 18thC country house designed by Samuel Wyatt, seat of the Harris family since 1801…

    8.7 miles away
  5. Dymchurch Beach

    The flat, mainly sandy beach at Dymchurch stretches for approximately 3 miles along the…

    9.77 miles away
  6. Colonel Stephens Railway


    The Colonel Stephens Railway Museum
     
    Recording the Career of Holman Fred Stephens,…

    9.82 miles away
  7. Kent & East Sussex Railway

    Images of this picturesque line weaveing between Tenterden and Bodiam. England's finest…

    9.85 miles away
  8. Brogdale Collections

    The National Fruit Collection has over 3000 varieties of fruit trees including apples,…

    10.54 miles away
  9. The Chapel Down Winery

    Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling…

    10.61 miles away
  10. Biddenden Vineyards Ltd

    Biddenden vineyard is Kents oldest commercial vineyard producing award-winning wines,…

    10.82 miles away
  11. Elham Valley Railway Museum

    A family attraction where visitors can see steam engines, trains, a signal box and the…

    11.14 miles away
  12. Mount Ephraim Gardens

    Mount Ephraim Gardens have plenty to offer and delight visitors. Unwind in these ten…

    11.23 miles away
  13. Maison Dieu

    An early 16thC timber-framed building incorporating fragments of a 13thC hospital and…

    11.29 miles away
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