TOWNSPOTLIGHT
McArthur Glen Designer Outlet
Eureka Skyway
Spotlight on
ASHFORD
Ashford International Station
Ashford is quietly unassuming and yet vibrant and exciting .
IT OFFERS QUIET COUNTRYSIDE , BUT MANAGES TO BE THE HUB OF FIVE DIFFERENT TRAIN LINES INCLUDING THOSE THAT RUN INTO THE IMPRESSIVE ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL STATION AND CAN THEN TAKE YOU TO FRANCE AND BEYOND VIA EUROSTAR . AND THEN THERE ’ S ASHFORD ’ S ROAD LINKS , WHICH ARE THE ENVY OF MANY OTHER TOWNS ACROSS THE COUNTY . ADD TO THAT THE SUPERB SHOPPING FACILITIES AND LEISURE EVENTS AND YOU ’ LL SEE THAT ASHFORD HAS IT ALL .
HISTORY IN BRIEF
It was the Saxons who first saw what a handy spot the area that was to become Ashford really was . They turned it into a small village and it thrived . However , in 1243 , Ashford was given a charter that enabled the village to have weekly markets and annual fairs . Since the fair was so well attended ( people from all over the country came to the Ashford Fair ), the charter kept being extended and renewed , and soon enough the tiny village of Ashford became a substantial and important town . By 1348 , Ashford had permission to hold two fairs a year instead of just one – a rare event at the time .
The town continued to grow and by the 18th century there was a population of about 1,500 . This may not seem like much by today ’ s standards – today around 59,000 people live there – but in the 1700s that made it quite the metropolis . Growth happened quickly too , and by 1851 , just nine years after the railway reached Ashford , the population was 5,000 . In 1901 , it had jumped again to 13,000 .
THINGS TO DO
County Square Shopping Centre Open every day except for Christmas Day and Easter Sunday , County Square Shopping Centre has over 50 different shops to cater for all kinds of needs . Big stores include Next , River Island , New Look , Debenhams , H & M and Marks and Spencer , but there are also plenty of places to buy homewares , books , and children ’ s toys too . You can also stop off for a coffee and snack , and you might even be able to catch a fashion show or a food and drink fair as the centre holds regular special events .
Godinton House Godinton House and its beautiful gardens have been standing for 600 years and make the ideal day out when you want to experience a blend of history and culture . The interior of the house is rather different to other old houses you may have visited in that each room is different , styled to depict the people who lived there rather than the designers themselves . There are tours of the house that go deep into the history of not only the building , but the collections of art , furniture and curios within it . Of course , there is a delightful café on site too .
Ashford Borough Museum Ashford Borough Museum can be found at the heart of Ashford town centre in The Churchyard within a Grade II listed 17thcentury building . It looks wonderful from the outside and the collections inside don ’ t disappoint either . Here you can enjoy exhibits over two floors telling the tale of Ashford ’ s history , present and future .
Rough Old Wife Cidery Since cider is such an important part of Kentish produce , having a cidery nearby is always a lot of fun . Visitors can go on a behind-the-scenes tour that offers tastings as well as the chance to see exactly how their favourite tipple is made .
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