About Ashford, Kent

Nestled in Kent’s scenic landscapes, Ashford unveils a history of post-medieval charm and connectivity. The town’s architectural legacy bridges past and present, while its role as a pivotal railway hub resonates with its trading crossroads heritage.

Where is Ashford

South East

Ashford is a town in the Ashford district, in the county of Kent, England. It lies on the River Great Stour at the southern or scarp edge of the North Downs, about 61 miles by road southeast of central London and 15 miles northwest of Folkestone by road. At the 2021 census, it had a population of 83,213.

Transport to & from Folkestone

Places to eat in Ashford

With so many new restaurants & cafes in Ashford, there is always something that tickles your fancy.

French Connection for some hearty, great-value pub grub after fun days out in Kent. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a midweek treat, our Sevington Table Table is ideal when you’re looking for great places to eat in Kent, thanks to our mouth-watering meals and friendly team members. Did you know – this Ashford restaurant is called the French Connection thanks to close proximity to the Channel Crossing!

ORBITAL RETAIL PARK, Hall Ave, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0GN, UK

Frankie & Benny’s is where you’ll find the food you really want to eat. A glorious choice of moreish recipes, full of heart, made with care, served with joy – all done with a commitment to doing good things for our planet. Choose from glistening steaks, towering burgers, sticky starters and dreamy desserts. Discover gluten-free favourites and healthy, lighter choices. Dive in to nutritious-but-fun kids’ dishes, or can’t-believe-it’s-vegan victories on a plate. Just sit back, have a drink, and then come back for more..

Unit 3, Eureka Leisure Park, Rutherford Rd, Ashford TN25 4BN, UK

Welcome to Harvester Ashford. We believe in making the most of time with family and friends, and at Harvester Ashford you can do just that while enjoying our famous rotisserie chicken and tucking into flavour filled dishes straight from the grill. Plus, don’t forget all our main meals come with fresh, unlimited salad. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or order take-away from us, and we can’t wait to welcome you at The Bybrook Barn.

Canterbury Rd, Kennington, Ashford TN24 8QQ, UK

Stubbs is the culmination of many years and many, many restaurant successes (as well as a few pubs, wine bars and diners). At the core of it all is a small team of serial restaurateurs, who have been working closely together for several decades. We all enjoy providing fabulous food and a fantastic ambience, in a casual, unpretentious manner so we came up with our plan… instead of running various restaurants and spreading our talent too thinly, thus not giving the best we could, we decided to concentrate all our skill under one larger roof….Stubbs was born.

Canterbury Rd, Kennington, Ashford TN25 4DU, UK

Established since 1981 Trattoria Romana is a traditional Italian restaurant providing authentic Italian cuisine in Ashford Kent. We provide an A LA Carte Menu throughout the day with daily specials. Every dish is freshly cooked to order to specific requirements.

 

32 Bank St, Ashford TN23 1BA, UK

We first fired up the grill in 1974, and we’ve been serving up a combination of great steak and friendly service ever since. With great tasting quality steak as well as an affordable menu with choice for the whole family, we’re always here with a warm welcome. From breakfast through to dinner, a quick drink from our well-stocked bar to a special occasion, Beefeater’s the place to be.

Eureka Leisure Park, Ashford TN25 4BN, UK

Our food is fresh + so is our service. which is why bookings are off the menu + why our teams are experts at getting you seated + ready to slurp at speed. a little ginger to warm you up. chillies that kick. noodles to nourish the body and soul. our 50% plant-based menu is inspired by the flavours of asia. created to soothe, nourish, sustain + inspire. from bowl to soul

Ashford Designer Outlet, 47-48 Kimberley Way, Ashford TN24 0SD, UK

Our love affair with Italian food is long-term. In 1965, a wise man called Peter Boizot knew pizza in London could be better. So he shipped over an authentic oven from Italy, opened the first-ever PizzaExpress and got to work serving the great pizza the UK deserved.

Ashford Designer Outlet Centre, Unit 85-86, The, Kimberley Way, Ashford TN24 0SD, UK

Born in South Africa with a blend of Portuguese and British culture. It all started in Mozambique, home of the hot sun, rich soil… and African Bird’s Eye Chillies. Also known as PERi-PERi. Small but mighty, these chillies have been used for centuries in local Mozambiquan cooking. The Portuguese then added a squeeze of lemon and kick of garlic to make the first PERi-PERi sauce. 

Unit 5a, Eureka Entertainment, Rutherford Rd, Ashford TN25 4BN, UK

With centuries of stories layered throughout this lovingly refurbished 17th Century house, Kristie and Brad invite you to re-charge and relax in this intriguing boutique restaurant & rooms. Dine in our restaurant, drink in our pub, sink into an armchair by the fire. Above all; enjoy the warmest welcome and finest produce this county has to offer.

Boys Hall Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LA, UK

Poppins’ has proved to be one of the most popular family restaurant chains in the UK with 34 busy Town Centre Restaurants stretching from Worcester to Bexhill on sea.
Although ‘Poppins’ is now a nationally recognised name, all the restaurants are independently owned and benefit from the proprietors own supervision. Their continuous aim is to provide high standards of food, hygiene, comfort and service, within a reasonable price range.

106 High St, Ashford TN24 8SD, UK

At Aspendos Ashford we offer meals of excellent quality and invite you to try our delicious food. The key to our success is simple: providing quality consistent food that taste great every single time. We pride ourselves on serving our customers delicious genuine dishes like: Turkish, Salads, Kebab

29 Bank St, Ashford TN23 1DG, UK

Designer Outlet Ashford​

McArthurGlen’s Ashford Designer Outlet is situated in the Heart of Kent, the Garden of England. Conveniently located just five minutes’ walk away from Ashford International train station and less than 30 minutes from Dover Port, it is the best place to find all the designer brands you love under one roof.

The Centre has over 100 of your favourite brands which include Abercrombie & Fitch, All Saints, Jack Wills, Kurt Geiger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Ted Baker, Tommy Hilfiger and more all at up to 60% off the RRP.

There’s something for everyone and within our beautiful settings you’ll also find a children’s play area, cafes and restaurants. Treat yourself to a Pizza Express, Wagamama’s or a snack from Pret a Manger or COSTA Coffee.

List of activities and nearby attractions

Imagine is situated in Kingsnorth, Ashford, approximately two miles from Ashford International (AFK) and the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, boasting a play area of over 2000m2 making us one of the largest soft play areas in the UK Play time at Imagine is unlimited. However long you wish to stay with us, a warm welcome awaits you.

Imagine Play Centre, 2a Britannia Ln, Kingsnorth, Ashford TN23 3SU, UK

At Pressure Point Escape Rooms, we give you  an unforgettable experience. Our fictionally themed escape rooms will reveal your hidden genius and test your problem solving ability against the clock.

​2C New Rents, Ashford TN23 1JH, UK

Come down, come play with family or friends, and let the good times roll at Hollywood Bowl! With bowling lanes, tasty food deals, and refreshing drinks to stay chilled when the competition gets hot, scroll back up to book your spot. 

43-79, 43 Station Rd, Ashford TN23 1PP, UK

Experience Free Roam VR with up to six players. Our advanced VR technology allows you to explore a fully immersive virtual world with your friends or family, without any cables or heavy backpacks, making it an unforgettable experience.

Unit 2 Elwick Rd, Ashford TN23 1AX, UK

Little Land is a children’s role play centre where every child can use their imagination to create their own world and dream they can be whatever they want to be from a baker, hairdresser, construction worker or even a firefighter to name but a few.  Little Land offers scaled down themed rooms carefully designed and filled with props to offer a creative and educational experience.

Nearby Attractions

Victoria Park is a great space for both people and wildlife. The trees, river, pond and long grass areas provide habitats for many species of birds, butterflies and other insects.

The Hawking Centre is Kent and the South East’s specialist Falconry and Bird of Prey Experience Centre. Nestled in the heart of Kent, our falconry experiences take place within the beautiful gardens, woodland and parkland of Eastwell Manor. 

The station at Hythe is on the banks of the Royal Military Canal, which runs with the line as the train approaches the terminus.

Hythe retains the central locomotive shunting line. It is worth waiting to watch the locomotive that has just hauled your train reverse down this line and marshal itself onto the turntable, and then return to the train ready for the journey back towards New Romney.

The focus of Belmont is the elegant 18th century house (designed by Samuel Wyatt) commanding stunning views over the surrounding Estate and the rolling Kentish North Downs. Steeped in history, this unique house contains mementos of the family’s history and travels. The grounds of the estate amount to more than 3,000 acres which contain the house, gardens, cricket pitch, orchards, and surrounding farmland and woodland.

Indoor and outdoor encounters with farm and pet animals, plus a play barn, shop and restaurant.

Hythe Beach is located on the south-eastern coast, approximately midway between Folkestone and Dymchurch.  The unspoiled, mainly pebble beach slopes quite steeply into the sea and the water can become deep surprisingly quickly when the tide is in.

Conningbrook’s unique setting presents an opportunity to boost the borough’s leisure, recreation and countryside conservation offer by providing a gateway for walkers and cyclists to explore the Stour Valley, and to extend and enhance riverside wildlife habitats.