Ashford

Ten beautiful vineyards well worth visiting near to Ashford and Tenterden

By Sarah Holgate

Watch out France! Kent is blessed with many wonderful vineyards – there are over 50 in Kent alone. Here our some close to our offices in Ashford and Tenterden.

Millie Green - A Review of Ashford

By Roger Lightfoot

The Kentish town of Ashford is known for many things: the International Station, the Designer Outlet and a plethora of secondary schools. These are all great assets to the town, but at Hobbs Parker we […]

How many Ashfords are there in the UK?

By Roger Lightfoot

Our website contains a database of all the villages, towns and cities in the UK. We combined this data with Google Maps to created this map of all the Ashfords in the UK. Note: There […]

Tips to help you establish a great Wild Garden

By Alex Davies

If you’ve been watching TV nature and gardening programmes lately, you’ll have seen a lot of interest in wild gardens. There are many advantages to wild gardens: they cover the ground in a beautiful mix […]

Netflix linked with move to Ashford?

By Sam Snart

The possible plans for a European filming hub presented recently to Ashford Borough Council could transform the long-abandoned Newtown railway works into seven state-of-the-art film studios. If the project goes ahead, the studios could sit […]

Why 2019 is the right time to invest in Ashford

By Sally Randall

“If you have ever wished you’d invested somewhere that has regenerated, you will know that you are already too late.” These are the words of Alex Davies, Managing Director for Hobbs Parker Estate Agents, an […]

The Best Restaurants in Kent and East Sussex

By Sally Randall

This article was written a few years ago and some of the details may be out of date. Please contact the restaurants for further information before travelling. The next best thing to eating good food, […]

The best pubs in and around Ashford and Tenterden

By Sally Randall

When I was young going to the pub generally meant me and my siblings sitting in the beer garden squabbling over a pack of Ready Salted whilst my parents nipped in for a pint and […]

Planning to succeed

By Steve Davies

As a result, development can be difficult, especially for housebuilders, as many local communities fail to recognise the need
to increase the demand of the growing population. The Government, which is publicly committed to delivering a […]

Our recommended golf courses in Kent and East Sussex

By Roger Lightfoot

As a golfing destination, Kent and East Sussex has a huge amount going for it. We’re blessed with a better than average climate (compared with other parts of the UK) which means we enjoy more […]

How to gain planning permission -- a view from both sides of the fence

By Steve Davies

  Having joined Hobbs Parker Property Consultants six months ago, with nearly 30 years’ planning experience gained at Canterbury City Council and local authorities, Steve Davies gives an insight into the world on both sides […]

Plans for new home in AONB given consent

Permission has been granted to replace vacant farm buildings with a three bedroom house on farmland in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) overlooking the Pilgrims’ Way in Brabourne. Ashford Borough Councillors voted by […]

Why do kitchens sell houses?

By Alex Davies

The party is in the kitchen! When we have a party at our house my wife and I spend hours making our living room look nice and then most of the evening trying to get […]

Renewable Energy – is it beginning to run on empty?

By Jon Rimmer

Last year didn’t end brightly, and despite what’s happening in other countries, 2016 could see the beginning of the dark ages for renewable energy projects in the UK. As if the changes in feed-in tariffs […]

Permitted Development Rights for rural buildings

The current legislation offers an excellent opportunity to farmers and landowners to quickly and cost-effectively secure planning permission for new dwellings in rural areas. It applies to buildings up to 450m2 in area and/or three […]

New team rising to challenge

By Roger Lightfoot

New team rising to challenge To ensure Hobbs Parker Property Consultants respond to the need for the best possible property, land, planning and development advice, we have made a number of changes to our senior […]

Flurry of farms kickstart the Spring market

By Matthew Sawdon

Following a record year in 2023 for our Farms and Land Agency team, we are delighted to be launching several farms in Kent and East Sussex this Spring. 

Navigating the New Rules Around Holiday Lets

By Penny Nahome

Holiday and short-term letting has been a popular option for property owners looking to generate an income from second homes and investment properties. Whilst it’s always been somewhat labour intensive, the returns have often been […]

Considering selling your farm or land? Read our top tips first

By Matthew Sawdon

Now Spring has officially arrived, the rain has (hopefully!) slowed down, and demand for farms and land remains strong in the South East, we share our tips for selling.

Ashford Borough Council opens 'Call for Sites' Consultation

By Elizabeth Welch

Ashford Borough Council is seeking suitable sites for inclusion in their Local Plan Review.  Landowners have until the 20th November 2023 to put land forward for potential development.

Livestock, land and property prices in 1972

By Roger Lightfoot

Our Annual Report from 1972 includes prices and expert views from our former partners for livestock, residential, agricultural and investment property in the South East.

Autumn Statement: A cautious sigh of relief for the housing market

By Alex Davies

The news from Downing Street has been pretty grim for the last few months. But, I broadly welcome the news for the housing market following the Chancellor’s announcement in the House of Commons earlier today. […]

Five great summer days out for families in Kent

By Sarah Holgate

With summer in full swing, there are lots of great options for a day out in Kent. Millie Green shares five of her favourite spots for some family fun, with activities ranging from water sports […]

Should I put my house on the market before Christmas?

By Simon Godfrey

We get asked this every year in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This year’s answer might surprise you.

Gold award from our clients

By Alex Davies

Our estate agents team have been awarded Gold for the Best Agent in Ashford by allAgents.co.uk

Should I buy a house in a Conservation Area?

By Greg Wood

There are some wonderful properties in the Conservation Areas in Kent and East Sussex but buyers need to make sure they understand the strict planning rules designed to preserve the character of these locations.

Wye - Kent's Super Village

By Greg Wood

So what is it about the village of Wye that creates it’s extraordinary reputation? Unlike many villages in my part of Kent that are equally as pretty and have local facilities, it has a selection […]

Very small ski chalet for sale!

By Sarah Holgate

It's tempting to take snowing photos of your home when selling it. But is this a good idea?

The 50 Most Popular Villages

By Roger Lightfoot

Our website is very busy — every day up to 6,000 people visit our website. Many are researching the ideal location for their next home and spend some time reading about the towns and villages […]

Tips for buyers and sellers when dealing with properties from a bygone era

By Alex Davies

The first clue upon arrival is the general look of neglect. Tired net curtains hanging at the windows, peeling paintwork, stains from a leaking gutter, a rusty gate opening on to an entrance path overgrown […]

Bucking the national property 'downturn'

By Alex Davies

It is true that we agree lots of sales, even when many properties appear to be sticking but I can tell you it doesn’t come easily and not without a lot of hard work. When […]

Historic Property Auction Particulars -- Mersham 1878

By Roger Lightfoot

These have been hanging on the wall in our boardroom for as long as I can remember. I recently happened to ‘bump into’ two of the current owners of the cottages when I gave a […]

Listed Buildings Advice

The market for period property is booming and the older the house or cottage, the more likely it is to be listed. By listing a property, it celebrates a building’s special architectural and historic features […]

Will solar panels increase the value of my home?

By Alex Davies

As the weather gets colder and darker, and the heating and lights stay on longer, there’s one thing I can predict with even more certainty than the Queen’s Speech broadcasting on Christmas Day. The arrival […]

The best beaches in Kent and East Sussex

By Sally Randall

We explore the best beaches in Kent and East Sussex — for your children, dogs and foodie friends — as we work our way round the South East’s beautiful coastline. It’s a funny thing that […]