Top 15 Attractions in Ashford, Kent – Must-See Activities

Situated on the southern slopes of the Kent Downs, Ashford is a town positioned near the heart of Kent.

Due to its strategic location, the town became a key convergence point for five railway lines, which facilitated growth and employment opportunities throughout the 19th century.

Upon the completion of the Channel Tunnel in the mid-1990s, Ashford gained an international railway station connected to the high-speed line from London to the tunnel.

Visitors will find an enchanting Jacobean mansion just a stone’s throw from Ashford, and the majestic Kent Downs are readily accessible for immersive walks across chalk hills.

For those with an eye for fashion, the continually expanding Ashford Designer Outlet offers substantial discounts on premium brands such as Boss and Diesel.

Let us delve into the top attractions in Ashford:

1. Godinton House

Located immediately northwest of Ashford, Godinton House is a historic estate once inhabited by the Toke family for over 455 years until 1895. After the last owner’s passing in 1996, the estate has been maintained by a charitable trust and welcomes visitors for guided tours.

The house is a Jacobean architectural wonder featuring elegantly curving gables and a rich collection of decorative arts housed within its sumptuous period rooms.

Among the stunning elements you will encounter are the paneled great hall, ornate plasterwork in the drawing room, vibrant wallpapers in the Chinese room, and masterful carvings adorning the Jacobean staircase.

These exquisite areas showcase valuable pieces, including a Michau Louis XV bracket clock, Delft tiles, a Steinway piano, and distinguished porcelain from Sèvres, Worcester, and China.

2. Godinton Gardens

The estate’s allure extends beyond the mansion, as it boasts 12 acres of ornamental gardens enveloped by lush open parkland populated with ancient oaks and chestnuts.

Visitors have the option to purchase a combined ticket for both the house and gardens, or they may opt to explore the outdoor spaces independently.

The gardens, in their current state, primarily reflect a redesign by Reginald Blomfield in 1898, including his renowned feature: one of the longest yew hedges in England, sculpted to echo the gables of the house.

The herbaceous borders and rose garden complement the Jacobean brickwork of the house, while the walled garden flourishes with vibrant delphiniums in the summer and also grows vegetables such as pumpkins.

In early spring, the daffodils within the wild garden provide a delightful spectacle, followed by the blooming wisteria in the charming Italian garden later in the season.

3. Kent Downs

Ashford is positioned at the southern edge of the expansive Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which preserves the chalk hills of the Kent Downs.

In areas where the grassland remains untouched, the hills provide a habitat for a plethora of wildflowers, including over 20 species of orchids.

To fully appreciate this picturesque countryside, one may traverse part of the North Downs Way, a 153-mile National Trail that stretches between Farnham in Surrey and Dover.

Due to its ideal location, Ashford serves as a perfect starting point for a hike, particularly as it lies in proximity to the Wye Gap, a natural opening in the hills.

Here, the North Downs Way diverges into two paths: one that trails along the chalk ridge to Dover and another that veers through the gap toward the historic cathedral city of Canterbury.

This route resembles the ancient Pilgrims’ Way, which Medieval Christians traversed to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket, who was murdered by followers of Henry II in 1170.

4. Wye National Nature Reserve

Managed by Natural England, the Wye National Nature Reserve is a captivating expanse of chalk grassland located just minutes from Ashford.

This area features unique dry valleys known as combes, shaped by periglacial activity during the Last Ice Age.

A must-see is the Devil’s Kneading Trough, which possesses an almost surreal appearance, with steep valley sides accessed via stairways.

The viewpoint from the Millstone at the valley’s head offers breathtaking vistas; on clear days, the English Channel and Folkestone can be seen, and there is a restaurant available for respite following your ascent.

5. St Mary the Virgin Church

This parish church stands as a magnificent Grade I listed monument, originally completed in the late 13th century.

Its architectural hallmark is the square central tower, which underwent heightening in the 15th century, alongside the roofing of the nave, chancel, and transepts.

History enthusiasts will appreciate dedicating time to explore the various fittings and intriguing details within.

The barrel-vaulted roof of the nave, dating back to the 1600s, features square panels adorned with decorative bosses.

Noteworthy elements include an octagonal stone font carved with quatrefoil designs in the late 15th century, alongside the carved coat of arms of Charles II found on the west wall. The standout feature is undoubtedly the marble and alabaster reclining monument to Thomas Smythe (d. 1591), who served as Queen Elizabeth I’s Collector of Customs and Subsidies.

6. Ashford Borough Museum

Situated in a 17th-century building within the Church Yard at the center of Ashford, the Borough Museum unfolds the historical narrative of the area.

Exhibits cover a breadth of topics, including 19th-century smugglers (the Aldington Gang), the evolution of local enterprises, Ashford’s wartime experiences, and its significance as a railway junction.

The museum features artifacts and photographs from the now-forgotten prisoner of war camps in the borough, as well as medical equipment from two former local hospitals, and numerous railway-related memorabilia including posters and models.

In a historical twist, it also displays a leg bone from a 200-million-year-old dinosaur and artifacts spanning from the Neolithic period to the time of the Anglo-Saxons.

7. Victoria Park

Victoria Park represents Ashford’s largest and most centrally located park, established on farmland acquired in 1898. It is bordered to the north by the winding Great Stour River, which creates the Ashford Green Corridor.

Many of the mature trees found throughout the park were planted at the dawn of the 20th century in honor of notable townspeople.

Among the park’s features is the impressive 45-ton Harper Fountain, an allegorical creation representing the four quarters of the globe. This fountain was sculpted for the 1862 International Exhibition, which occurred at the site now occupied by London’s Natural Science Museum.

After the exhibition, it was purchased by a local merchant who donated it to the town in 1912.

8. Willesborough Windmill

Open during weekends (and Wednesdays throughout the summer holidays) from the end of March to October, Willesborough Windmill is a remarkable smock mill constructed in 1869. Clad in weatherboard and whitewashed, the mill underwent restoration in 1991 and utilizes a 14-horsepower Hornsby engine to produce stoneground wholemeal flour in the absence of wind.

When conditions are favorable, visitors can observe the mill’s sweeps turning in the breeze.

Inside the mill, all mechanisms are functional, and children can partake in making flour on the querns to take home as a souvenir.

The mill’s freshly milled wholemeal flour is available for purchase at the barn, alongside a café offering tea and homemade cakes.

9. Biddenden Vineyards

A short drive to the west, within the serene countryside of the High Weald, lies Biddenden Vineyards, established in the late 1960s as a response to declining apple prices.

Covering 23 acres of south-facing slopes, the vineyard cultivates 11 grape varieties renowned for their award-winning wines.

Annual production reaches up to 80,000 bottles, and the estate continues to produce apples for cider.

Visitors are welcome year-round, seven days a week, to follow a self-guided route around the vineyards and orchard, concluding with an opportunity to purchase a variety of wines, ciders, juices, as well as locally-produced beer, preserves, and chutneys.

For a deeper understanding of the winemaking process, private tours followed by guided tastings are also available.

10. Ashford Green Corridor

Notably, Ashford features an uninterrupted expanse of green space that traverses the town’s center.

Due to the town’s rivers being susceptible to flooding, the banks of the Stour have remained undeveloped.

This green corridor comprises a network of parks, recreational areas, and open land that stretches from the M20 at the northern edge of the town down to Ford in South Ashford.

These areas occupy the Great Stour and the East Stour rivers, which converge near the town center.

Stunning scenic walks can be enjoyed along the south bank of the Great Stour, starting from Watercress Fields, progressing through Victoria Park, and ending at Bowen’s Field.

Wildlife enthusiasts may spot kingfishers, lesser spotted woodpeckers, grass snakes, water voles, and damselflies along the way.

11. Mark IV Female Tank

Located off New Street in St George’s Square, this site houses the last remaining British Mark IV Female Tank.

At the close of the First World War, these decommissioned tanks were allocated to 200 towns across the UK in appreciation of their fundraising efforts for the National War Savings Appeal.

While most tanks were subsequently scrapped for metal prior to World War II, Ashford’s tank was preserved as it housed the town’s transformer at that time.

This transformer has since been removed, and since 1988, the tank has been sheltered.

The tank, restored to its original First World War colors, has served as an official war memorial since 2006.

12. South of England Rare Breeds Centre

Recognized by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, this farm attraction located nearby in Woodchurch showcases a remarkable diversity of unique native domestic animals.

The sheep breeds alone include Jacobs, Herdwicks, Manx Loaghtans, Portlands, and Wiltshire Horns.

Adults will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with breeds that may be less known, while children can engage in various activities around the expansive 100-acre farm.

These activities include trailer rides, petting rabbits and guinea pigs, observing falcons in flight, interacting with spiders and snakes, and enjoying the soft play barn.

One of the highlights is the Butterfly Tunnel, which recreates the humid ecosystems necessary for tropical species from the Philippines, South America, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, and Australasia.

13. Port Lympne Reserve

Approximately 15 minutes away from Ashford lies a safari park set within 600 acres on the edge of the downs.

Port Lympne Reserve is home to over 760 animals across 90 species, including Kent’s only giraffes.

Admission includes a ride on a safari truck, providing an opportunity to observe the plains’ fauna from Africa and Asia, such as wildebeest, zebras, sambars, biesboks, Roan antelopes, and Przewalski’s horses.

After your safari, visitors can continue on foot to observe big cats and an array of primates, from western lowland gorillas to Javan gibbons.

In addition to tigers, cheetahs, and Barbary lions, smaller, lesser-known felines such as margays, civets, and rusty spotted cats are also on display.

A children’s favorite is the Dinosaur Forest, which hosts the UK’s largest collection of life-sized dinosaur models, meticulously crafted by paleontologists.

14. Kent and East Sussex Railway

This charming light railway line transports passengers from the town of Tenterden, situated ten miles southwest of Ashford, to Bodiam in East Sussex.

Such rural light railways emerged around England at the turn of the 20th century and were constructed under stringent budgetary constraints.

As you traverse the picturesque High Weald countryside, you may notice the tight turns and steep gradients characteristic of these historic lines.

Your steam or diesel-powered train journey will take approximately 50 minutes to reach Bodiam, with stops at four stations along the route.

The railway, which originated in 1900, ceased passenger services in 1954. However, since 1974, dedicated volunteers have contributed to progressively reopening the line, culminating with the extension to Bodiam in 2000. Regular services operate on weekends throughout the year, and daily during the summer months.

15. Ashford Designer Outlet

The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet can be found on Kimberley Way, conveniently located near Ashford International.

This expansive shopping venue features an array of luxury fashion and lifestyle brands, offering products at discounts of up to 60% off the suggested retail price.

Some of the prominent labels available include Boss, Levi’s, Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, and Calvin Klein Jeans.

Culinary options within the outlet include a selection of eateries such as Pizza Express, Wagamama, and Subway.

As of 2018, the shopping center was undergoing a £90 million expansion to double its size and incorporate an additional 50 brands, all while allowing the existing 120 retailers to operate as usual during renovations.