Living in Ashford, Kent
Ashford has long been earmarked by governments as a town for growth and the 2011 census showed that the town’s burgeoning population had risen by 14.6%.
As well as providing a base for London workers, Ashford attracts buyers looking for employment in the town itself, with several large companies based there and employment rates higher than average.
South East of Maidstone and close, also, to Folkestone and Canterbury, Ashford takes a percentage of all the good of Kent, including the county’s glorious coastline at Folkestone, Ramsgate and Margate.
Property for sale in Ashford, Kent
With much of Kent best known for Victorian terraced homes, Ashford is a little different with a much lower property age.
Due to the town’s development in the 1960s, a large percentage of Ashford property was built in that era – meaning large three and four-bedroom family homes.
Houses for sale in Ashford, Kent
Semi-detached homes topped the table for the most sales in Ashford during the past 12 months, fetching an average price of £272,595.
More traditional terraced homes sold for £223,137 on average, while detached family properties were sold for £394,182.
Ashford’s overall average property price made it cheaper than Maidstone (£315,559) and Canterbury (£315,164).
Houses to rent in Ashford, Kent
Much of Ashford’s rental stock is formed by more modern flats and apartments, although Martin & Co often has a variety of larger houses available for let.
Two-bedroom flats average £909 per month in rent, while a larger three-bedroom house commands around £1,238.
Ashford transport links
Those who live in Kent will know that property prices tend to rise the closer you get to London.
Ashford, though, bucks the trend somewhat. Although the town is almost 100km south east of central London, it is boosted by amazing transport links into the capital.
As well as the M20 and A20 roads linking Ashford with London, trains using the high-speed line from Ashford International station arrive at St Pancras in just 38 minutes!
Employment in Ashford
Traditionally the Kent economy is made up of a mixture of haulage, agriculture, logistics and some science-based industries.
As well as providing great links for London workers, Ashford is also home to some large employers.
Away from public sector employment, Ashford firm Brake Bros, the frozen food wholesaler, has its European headquarters at Eureka Park in the town, while Premier Foods employs almost 400 people at the former Batchelors soup factory.
Schools in Ashford, Kent
As well as two grammar schools, the Norton Knatchbull School school for boys and Highworth Grammar School for girls, Ashford has 12 primary schools and two state secondary schools.
Shopping in Ashford
The Ashford Designer Outlet is home to the likes of Ralph Lauren, Nike, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour, Calvin Klein and Diesel and is hugely popular with shoppers across Kent.
The County Square shopping centre in town, meanwhile, hosts high street retailers like Debenhams and Marks & Spencer as well as Next, H&M and New Look.
Eating out in Ashford
In among Ashford’s town centre eateries are some quieter, more rural restaurants and pubs
The Three Chimneys in nearby Biddenden serves a variety of wines and ales as well as informal dining in its dark-beamed building.
The West House, meanwhile, also in Biddenden is run by a family and focuses on using the very best in local produce – so much so that it gained a Michelin star in 2003 and still holds it.
Things to do in Ashford
As well as superb shopping and the open space of the North Downs, Ashford is also not short of history.
Godinton House and Gardens is a stunning example of Jacobean architecture, with beautiful grounds to lose yourself in.
Things to do with the kids
Ashford Leisure Trust’s centre has a popular leisure pool with flume rides and a ‘raging river’, making it an ideal option when the weather is bad.
*Prices from Rightmove, correct March 2019
**Prices from home.co.uk, correct March 2019
