Things to do in Ashford, Kent

Kent is a really amazing place in the country. It has wonderful countryside, great towns and also has fantastic links to other parts of the country, especially London. One of these great Kent towns is Ashford. Ashford is a market town near Canterbury, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings. Ashford is also a short distance from Folkstone, where the Eurotunnel trains depart to Calais.

Smallhythe Place

Smallhythe Place is an early 16th Century house that was once the home of Victorian actress Ellen Terry. You can visit the cottage which contains many interesting theatre related items collected by Ellen Terry throughout her career. There is also a barn theatre which puts on shows, lovely gardens to stroll through and a small exhibition about shipbuilding which took place when the cottage was built.

Kent and East Sussex Railway

The Kent & East Sussex Railway stakes claims to being the world’s first light railway. The railway was originally opened in 1900. The line possesses tight curves and steep gradients. This is typical of small railways built to bring trains to sparsely populated areas and small villages. In the 1950’s, the original railway met its demise but the great work of dedicated volunteers seen the railway open back up in 1974 as an attraction. The railway runs from Tenterden to Bodiam Castle.

Godington House

Godinton House is an ancient estate set in lovely formal gardens. It is one of the most fascinating houses in Kent, with items from the 14th Century on display. Once you have seen the house, you can explore the amazing gardens.

The Chapel Down Winery

The Chapel Down Winery is home to the largest producer of wines in England. Visitors can check out the Wine and Food Store where they'll locate the best Kentish and English food and drink available. Guided tours of the vineyard and winery are available from March to October plus tasting and vineyard walks throughout the year.

Ashford Designer Outlet

Ashford’s Designer Outlet is one of the most spectacular places to shop. The outlet is home to over seventy stores that offer massive savings on many famous named brands.

 Ashford is a town that has clearly a lot to offer and if you factor in the surrounding Kent area, its a pretty special place to visit.