Guidebook to the area around Ashford

Bev
Guidebook to the area around Ashford

Sightseeing

The cathedral is in the centre of Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH) - there is a charge to enter unless attending a service but it’s worth a visit if you are interested in spectacular medieval architecture, stained glass etc. Thomas Becket was martyred here and it features in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales - a place of pilgrimage for centuries. It is surrounded by cobbled streets within the town walls with loads of places to eat, drink and shop in little independent shops or high street stores. https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/en/canterbury-cathedral Parking can be a challenge at the weekend.
365 locals recommend
Canterbury Cathedral Archives
11 The Precincts
365 locals recommend
The cathedral is in the centre of Canterbury (Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury, CT1 2EH) - there is a charge to enter unless attending a service but it’s worth a visit if you are interested in spectacular medieval architecture, stained glass etc. Thomas Becket was martyred here and it features in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales - a place of pilgrimage for centuries. It is surrounded by cobbled streets within the town walls with loads of places to eat, drink and shop in little independent shops or high street stores. https://www.visitbritain.com/gb/en/canterbury-cathedral Parking can be a challenge at the weekend.
Dating back to Norman times this castle is surrounded by a moat in a beautiful setting. The grounds are extensive and it’s a good walk from the car park but your photographs will make it worth the effort. There is an interesting exhibition in the gatehouse depicting the changes to the castle over time and the interior is grand. There is actually quite a lot to see and do within the grounds including a surprisingly interesting museum of dog collars. https://leeds-castle.com/Attractions/The+Castle+%26amp%3B+Exhibitions?id=p1 It is expensive to enter - they make you pay for an annual pass but it really is a good place to visit.
316 locals recommend
Leeds Castle
316 locals recommend
Dating back to Norman times this castle is surrounded by a moat in a beautiful setting. The grounds are extensive and it’s a good walk from the car park but your photographs will make it worth the effort. There is an interesting exhibition in the gatehouse depicting the changes to the castle over time and the interior is grand. There is actually quite a lot to see and do within the grounds including a surprisingly interesting museum of dog collars. https://leeds-castle.com/Attractions/The+Castle+%26amp%3B+Exhibitions?id=p1 It is expensive to enter - they make you pay for an annual pass but it really is a good place to visit.
Within easy reach of the cottage by car, Tenterden (otherwise known as The Jewel of the Weald) is a pretty little town with a high street full of little independent shops, cafes and pubs. Those who enjoy stream trains should visit the Kent and East Sussex railway station just off the high street (you can park there if there’s no street parking or in Tesco or Waitrose carparks either end of town). There is a lovely Art Deco cafe in the station and frequent trains down the Rotherham valley. https://preservation.kesr.org.uk/stations/tenterden https://www.kesr.org.uk The train can be taken as far as Bodium Castle https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle Kent is fast becoming a centre for wine making and you can visit vineyards nearby such as Chapel Down or Biddenden for a tour and a tasting https://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/chapel-down-winery-1943/ https://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/biddenden-vineyards-1876/
108 locals recommend
Tenterden
108 locals recommend
Within easy reach of the cottage by car, Tenterden (otherwise known as The Jewel of the Weald) is a pretty little town with a high street full of little independent shops, cafes and pubs. Those who enjoy stream trains should visit the Kent and East Sussex railway station just off the high street (you can park there if there’s no street parking or in Tesco or Waitrose carparks either end of town). There is a lovely Art Deco cafe in the station and frequent trains down the Rotherham valley. https://preservation.kesr.org.uk/stations/tenterden https://www.kesr.org.uk The train can be taken as far as Bodium Castle https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/bodiam-castle Kent is fast becoming a centre for wine making and you can visit vineyards nearby such as Chapel Down or Biddenden for a tour and a tasting https://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/chapel-down-winery-1943/ https://www.visitkent.co.uk/attractions/biddenden-vineyards-1876/
Whitstable is quite a cute little town on the north Kent coast. It is famous for its oysters - I’ve never tried them but they have a festival to celebrate oystery goodness every summer which is very popular. Other fresh seafood is available. I like Whitstable for its little high street and arty shops and it’s shingle beach.
220 locals recommend
Whitstable
220 locals recommend
Whitstable is quite a cute little town on the north Kent coast. It is famous for its oysters - I’ve never tried them but they have a festival to celebrate oystery goodness every summer which is very popular. Other fresh seafood is available. I like Whitstable for its little high street and arty shops and it’s shingle beach.
Margate is on the north Kent coast. It doesn’t take long to look round the old centre with its trendy little shops but you can also walk along the harbour arm and visit the quite big Turner Contemporary Gallery which is next to the harbour. Also on the seafront is Dreamland, a traditional amusement park which was restored and reopened recently it has a grade 2 listed rollercoaster which is the second oldest in the world. Dreamland is turned in Screamland for Halloween- great fun if you enjoy watching your partner jumping out of his skin every few minutes as I did last year!
160 locals recommend
UpMargate
20 The Centre
160 locals recommend
Margate is on the north Kent coast. It doesn’t take long to look round the old centre with its trendy little shops but you can also walk along the harbour arm and visit the quite big Turner Contemporary Gallery which is next to the harbour. Also on the seafront is Dreamland, a traditional amusement park which was restored and reopened recently it has a grade 2 listed rollercoaster which is the second oldest in the world. Dreamland is turned in Screamland for Halloween- great fun if you enjoy watching your partner jumping out of his skin every few minutes as I did last year!
These cliffs are iconic and whilst Dover town itself is not pretty, there are walks both on or below the cliffs. You could start at the National Trust visitor centre: White Cliffs of Dover, Langdon Cliffs, Upper Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HJ Or you could visit Samphire Hoe at the base of the cliffs which was made from chalky material removed during the construction of the Eurotunnel. You can easily walk from here along the base of the cliffs to Folkestone if the tide and weather allow or park at the other end at The Warren in Folkestone to walk along the bottom or top. There are good views of the port from the cliffs above Dover so you can really appreciate how busy and important this port is.
102 locals recommend
The White Cliffs of Dover
Upper Road
102 locals recommend
These cliffs are iconic and whilst Dover town itself is not pretty, there are walks both on or below the cliffs. You could start at the National Trust visitor centre: White Cliffs of Dover, Langdon Cliffs, Upper Road, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HJ Or you could visit Samphire Hoe at the base of the cliffs which was made from chalky material removed during the construction of the Eurotunnel. You can easily walk from here along the base of the cliffs to Folkestone if the tide and weather allow or park at the other end at The Warren in Folkestone to walk along the bottom or top. There are good views of the port from the cliffs above Dover so you can really appreciate how busy and important this port is.
I think this is my favourite garden ever. Designed by the late great Christopher Lloyd it surrounds a lovely half timbered house (extended by Lutyens) that you can also tour. The garden is a series of ‘rooms’ that are all equally beautiful in the arts and crafts style. It is open from April to the end of October and is near Northiam not far from Rye. https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/
117 locals recommend
Great Dixter House & Gardens
117 locals recommend
I think this is my favourite garden ever. Designed by the late great Christopher Lloyd it surrounds a lovely half timbered house (extended by Lutyens) that you can also tour. The garden is a series of ‘rooms’ that are all equally beautiful in the arts and crafts style. It is open from April to the end of October and is near Northiam not far from Rye. https://www.greatdixter.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/
Dungeness is a wild, vast area of shingle at the southernmost end of Kent less than half an hour away by car. It has been described as a marmite place but love it or hate it, it is unique and an important habitat for an incredibly diverse range of plants and animals.
120 locals recommend
Dungeness
120 locals recommend
Dungeness is a wild, vast area of shingle at the southernmost end of Kent less than half an hour away by car. It has been described as a marmite place but love it or hate it, it is unique and an important habitat for an incredibly diverse range of plants and animals.
Just 20 minutes away is Folkestone with its beach, cliff walks and harbour arm. We like to walk along under the white cliffs towards Dover and then back along the top of the cliff or explore the old high street which winds up from the harbour and has numerous little independent shops before you reach the more usual shops to be found in most town centres. There is also a lovely walkway from the harbour car park across the beach and then a particularly pleasant park with paths meandering along the cliff side through which you can wander upwards to the town. Great views across the English Channel towards France just 22 miles away. Oh and don’t forget to try the fish and chips!
62 locals recommend
Folkestone
62 locals recommend
Just 20 minutes away is Folkestone with its beach, cliff walks and harbour arm. We like to walk along under the white cliffs towards Dover and then back along the top of the cliff or explore the old high street which winds up from the harbour and has numerous little independent shops before you reach the more usual shops to be found in most town centres. There is also a lovely walkway from the harbour car park across the beach and then a particularly pleasant park with paths meandering along the cliff side through which you can wander upwards to the town. Great views across the English Channel towards France just 22 miles away. Oh and don’t forget to try the fish and chips!

Shopping

If you like shopping, this outlet is very convenient and has lots of shops generally with substantial discounts to tempt you to spend. Parking is in the centre of a circle of shops with places to eat at the far end.
203 locals recommend
Ashford Designer Outlet
203 locals recommend
If you like shopping, this outlet is very convenient and has lots of shops generally with substantial discounts to tempt you to spend. Parking is in the centre of a circle of shops with places to eat at the far end.
Rye is a lovely old historic town - one of the original Cinque ports but no longer on the edge of the coast. It’s hilly with cobbled streets and views across the reclaimed land, marsh and river toward the sea. Once a centre for smugglers it is now a charming little town and well worth a visit. Apparently the old Mermaid Inn dates back to 1156 and is reputed to have secret tunnels beneath. Camber sands is nearby - a massive sandy beach. Also the Royal Military Canal - constructed as part of the defence against Napoleon which follows the line of the chalk escarpment as far as Hythe.
389 locals recommend
Rye
389 locals recommend
Rye is a lovely old historic town - one of the original Cinque ports but no longer on the edge of the coast. It’s hilly with cobbled streets and views across the reclaimed land, marsh and river toward the sea. Once a centre for smugglers it is now a charming little town and well worth a visit. Apparently the old Mermaid Inn dates back to 1156 and is reputed to have secret tunnels beneath. Camber sands is nearby - a massive sandy beach. Also the Royal Military Canal - constructed as part of the defence against Napoleon which follows the line of the chalk escarpment as far as Hythe.