Moving to Ashford? Here's What to Expect from Your New Town

Fast becoming one of the biggest towns in the South East, Ashford is a thriving place to live and work. Whatever your reason for moving to Ashford, you won’t be disappointed with what’s on offer at your new town.

Transport in Ashford

It goes without saying that one of Ashford’s biggest attractions is its excellent commuter links.

Wherever you want to go, there’s a way to get there from here. London is less than 40 minutes away by the HS1 connection, with other trains running regularly throughout the day to the City as well as other local hotspots, like Canterbury, Dover, Margate, Folkestone and Brighton. Then there’s the scope for international travel. Home to the Eurostar, you could easily be in France within a couple of hours from this town.

Around the town itself there’s a regular bus service that runs from the town centre to the Designer Outlet and local supermarkets, and you’re only a 30 minute drive to the nearby town of Rye or 20 minutes on the M20 to Maidstone. Perhaps this a key factor in your move already, but if you’re still weighing up your options then this could be the deciding factor you need to make up your mind.

Shopping in Ashford

Transport links aside, Ashford is a shopper’s paradise!

While the main High Street is littered with many of the stores you’d find typical of any other major town, it’s the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet that’s the jewel in this particular town’s crown. This is where you’ll find designer bargains aplenty – whether it be fashion, home wares or electricals, it’s all here along with places to eat and a play area for children.

As well as the High Street, the town centre is also home to County Square, a recently renovated shopping mall with everything you need under one roof. Walk through to the High Street and you might just find yourself amidst one of the many unique craft or food markets that often take place on any given day of the week.

Entertainment in Ashford

If you’re moving to Ashford with family – be it young children or teenagers – you’ll be pleased to know there’s plenty to keep you entertained away from the shops.

You’ll need to be prepared to travel a little, but Ashford’s surrounding areas are jam packed with family-oriented places that make for a great day out. For small children, why not visit the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Light Railway? First opened in 1927 as the World’s smallest public railway, this makes a truly unique experience for children.

In the summer, the beaches of the Kent Coast are all a short drive away, as well as the iconic Camber Sands in East Sussex just a 30 minutes drive from Ashford. Dover Castle is also just a short journey away, as are the Rare Breeds Centre and Port Lympne Wild Animal Park – perfect for children who love animals. A short train ride to Canterbury provides the opportunity to explore the City’s famous Cathedral.

There's also plenty to keep sports enthusiasts happy, with various basketball, football, rugby, bowls, archery, angling, cricket, karate or netball clubs to join, as well as several gyms and a swimming pool.

If it's nightlife you're after then you'll be pleased to know that there are numerous bars and several nightclubs in the town centre. Ashford is also home to a number of good pubs and restaurants – and due to its constantly evolving nature, new places to eat and drink are cropping up all the time. If you prefer a quieter style of night out then don’t forget the bowling alley or cinema. Or you could take a drive further down the coast to sample one of the many quieter country pubs in the surrounding areas.

Local amenitites in Ashford

It probably goes without saying, but local amenities in the Ashford area are excellent.

You’ll find yourself with plenty of choice when it comes to things like doctors, dentists and chemists, and the local hospital, The William Harvey, is well situated 5 minutes outside of the main town.

Schools in Ashford

Similarly, schools in the area are also excellent, with a good variety of nurseries, primary and secondary schools and colleges all dotted around the town and surrounding areas.