Looking at the evidence, it seems that the Council aren't exaggerating. Ashford is located right by the M20, so motorway access is easy; the Eurostar can whisk passengers to Paris in around two hours and to Lille in even less; and a brand new high speed rail link to London's St Pancras station, due for completion in 2009, will take just 37 minutes.
Of course, there's a lot more to Ashford than a first-rate transport infrastructure. As Kent's largest borough, it has a great range of shopping and leisure facilities, and it's close to some of England's most beautiful countryside.
And, the town's future is looking pretty bright, as well: having been earmarked by the government as a key growth area in the South East, Ashford is set to benefit from millions of pounds of public and private money.
This will fund some significant redevelopment of the town and its facilities, including the creation of 31,000 new homes and 28,000 new jobs by the year 2031.
There is a much higher proportion of modern than period property in Ashford, and as a result, a host of different styles and sizes, some with more attractive designs than others.
There are some pockets of older houses such as the elegant and generous Victorian and Edwardian semis and detached homes in Albert and Canterbury Roads.
The town has lots of luxury new-build developments which come in both house and apartment forms, and there is also a fair amount of ex-local authority housing which can be a good option for first-time buyers.
Buyers: Ashford's transport connections mean it's a dream town for commuters although there is plenty of business in the town itself to attract employees who don't want to travel to work.
Property prices are relatively affordable given the proximity to London, so Ashford is a feasible option for first-timers.
Families are attracted to the good facilities and schools in the town.
Transport
- Road: Situated on the M20 motorway to London, Maidstone and Folkestone. Also has access to Hastings (A2070) and Canterbury (A28).
- Train: Current links from Ashford International to London Charing Cross take between 65 and 90 minutes to Charing Cross and around 90 minutes to Victoria.
- A new high speed service to St Pancras (due for completion in 2009) will take less than 40 minutes.
- Eurostar trains operate a frequent service to Paris and Lille.
- Air: Gatwick Airport is just over an hour away.
- Lydd Airport (aka London Ashford Airport) is just ten minutes from the rail station and operates a service to Le Touquet in a 16-seater aircraft.
Shopping and entertainment
- Ashford has a good range of shops – there are two shopping centres, the Park Mall and County Square which are home to a number of well –known high street names such as Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins and Next.
- County Square is currently in the throes of development which will increase its number of stores to about 60 when it is unveiled next spring, including a brand new Debenhams
- It also has a Designer Outlet with around 70 famous names selling their stock at discounted prices.
- Bank Street and High Street are pleasant traffic-free areas with a further range of shops.
- There is a good selection of restaurants, pubs and bars in and around the town centre, some established chains and some individual establishments.
- There is one nightclub and some bars have live music.
- Ashford has a multi-screen cinema just off Junction 9 of the M20.
Sport & leisure
- The revamped Stour Centre is due to open next month and will have a 25 metre swimming pool and a separate leisure pool with a river and water flumes.
- It also includes a sports hall and the Contours Fitness Studio which have remained open throughout the work for badminton, squash, basketball, five-a-side, trampolining, fitness classes and personal training.
- The Julie Rose Stadium is an international athletics stadium which offers lots of facilities including running tracks, long and high jump, fitness and dance classes, netball, football and basketball.
- Ashford is also part of the national cycle network, and its nearby countryside provides further leisure opportunities such as rambling, running, horse-riding, kiting and gliding.
- There are golf courses just outside the town in Chart Hills and Lydd Airport.
