Ashford

A historic market and railway town with superb transport links to London and easy access to the Kent coast. High-speed trains whisk you to London St Pancras in just 37 minutes.

I've lived in the Ashford area all my life and watched the town develop. Excellent transport links have brought real change over recent years as modern businesses have invested in the area. And we still have easy access to the coast and countryside.


Originally a farming town, Ashford is one of Kent’s finest examples of blending tradition with contemporary. This unique partnering of the ages includes major transport links, thriving markets and history rich property surrounded by some of the best of Kent’s idyllic and untouched countryside.

The enticing town of Ashford has grown in its popularity over the years as a destination for those to live and work. Originally a historic market town, this centre has seen a surge in development over recent years which has encouraged the creation of some superb transport links as residents wish to commute to London in pursuit of work and leisure.

A thriving town within its own right, Ashford has increased in its popularity as a consumer/ leisure destination and has seen a rise in the number of eclectic shops, markets and artisan pop up shops on offer. Savvy shoppers are also spoilt for choice with the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet just a stone’s throw from the high street and the main train station.

For those wishing to take Ashford more in their stride, why not immerse yourself in Ashford’s heritage trail which (yes there is history here too!) with its lanes sporting medieval, Jacobean and Georgian homes and architecture. Two of Ashford’s greatest estates include Godinton House and Eastwell Manor, two beautiful must-sees reflecting a bygone era for Ashford.


ARK Drama

ARK Drama

We are a non-profit making community group run by a volunteer committee and adult leaders. Membership is open to youngsters, aged 7 to 21 (inclusive), from all religious denominations and abilities, in the Ashford area. […]

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Ashford Farmers' Market

Ashford Farmers' Market

The farmers’ market takes place every first Sunday of the month, between 10am and 2pm on the cobbles of the lower High Street in Ashford. Shoppers can grab tea, coffee, cake or breakfast from one […]

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Ashford Golf Course

Ashford Golf Course

Enjoyed by its members, guests and visitors since 1903, Ashford Golf Club is dedicated to ensuring the same enjoyment for the next 100 years. The Club is a members only club which is proudly organised […]

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Ashford Historical Facebook Group

Ashford Historical Facebook Group

This group has over 9,500 members and 1,000’s of fascinating old photos of Ashford with many lively discussions. Members take part from all over the world. You will need to request membership from the very […]

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Ashford Hockey Club

Ashford Hockey Club

Ashford Hockey Club was established in 1898 and is situated at Ball Lane in Kennington. The club currently has 6 Men’s Teams (including 1 Veteran Team), 3 Ladies Teams and Junior Teams consisting of all […]

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Ashford Picturehouse

Ashford Picturehouse

Ashford Picturehouse opened in 2018 just on the edge of the town centre. Sitting on the site of the old Cattle Market, (you can find our weekly auctions at the New Cattle Market!) the original […]

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Ashford Rugby Club

Ashford Rugby Club

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Ashford Town Cricket Club

Ashford Town Cricket Club

Set in the lovely countryside to the south of Ashford, the Ashford Town Cricket Clubs benefits from two pitches for its four senior sides. The main pitch is considered one of the best in the […]

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Ashford United Football Club

Ashford United Football Club

Ashford United F.C. are an active football club based in Ashford, Kent. Between 1930 and 2010 the town was represented by Ashford Town FC, before it went into administration. The current club is therefore a […]

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Cineworld in Ashford

Cineworld in Ashford

Cineworld at Ashford is a multiplex cinema showing the very latest international blockbusters in box 2D and 3D formats with free parking and plenty of restaurants for your before or after show meals.

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County Square Shopping Centre

County Square Shopping Centre

With more than 50 shops alongside cafes and restaurants, County Square is the local, relaxed choice when it comes to indulging in some retail therapy. Whether you’re on the look-out for that perfect outfit, just […]

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Godinton House and Gardens

Godinton House and Gardens

Godinton is a comfortable, much-loved home; each room has a different feel, a contrast on a theme, not designed by architect or curator but for the taste and enjoyment of those who lived here over […]

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Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl

Hollywood Bowl in Ashford offers 18 state-of-the-art glitzy bowling lanes guaranteed to let the good times roll! No matter what age or skill level you are, everyone can get involved and be entertained by brilliant […]

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Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social

Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social

Matches Sports Bar, Grill & Social is a new addition to Elwick Place, offering an experience like no other in Ashford. This is a bar that tries to make your social outing as social as […]

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McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet

At McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford you’ll find your favourite brands at up to 60% less, all year round. There’s something for everyone, within our beautiful settings you’ll find cafes, restaurants, a children’s play area and more than 80 boutiques. […]

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Revelation Ashford

Revelation Ashford

An award-winning venue which offers a diverse and high quality range of music and arts featuring international artists along with some of the best in home-grown talent. Revelation offers excellent facilities along with a licensed […]

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The Granary Spa

The Granary Spa

The Granary Spa opened its doors in September 2012 and has continued to provide guests with a five star organic and holistic spa service in a beautiful converted Victorian granary. The Granary is part of […]

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The Old Mill Public House & Restaurant

The Old Mill Public House & Restaurant

Using great quality ingredients sourced locally where possible; along with a fantastic selection of interesting ales and lagers from local brewers, and a carefully selected wine list – the Old Mill is an ideal venue […]

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The Stour Leisure Centre

The Stour Leisure Centre

Visitors to the Stour Centre can choose from a wide range of leisure facilities and activities within the centre of Ashford. These facilities include; 3 swimming pools, 2 modern fully equipped gyms and over 160 […]

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ON Pizza

ON Pizza

A new addition to County Square, ON Pizza is bringing their years of experience in the industry for us to feast upon. Having worked in large chain restaurants they quickly learned that what customers want […]

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Blog articles featuring Ashford

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Will Netflix and Amazon affect property prices in Ashford?

By Alex Davies

There has been talk of an Ashford metamorphosis for almost as long as I can remember. The opening of the ‘Missing Link’ of the M20 motorway between Ashford and Maidstone in 1991 would surely bring […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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The Best Restaurants in Kent and East Sussex

By Sally Randall

The next best thing to eating good food, may be talking about it. Certainly asking in the Hobbs Parker offices about people’s favourite restaurants leads to a mouth-watering conversation about how spoilt for choice we […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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Launch Weekend at ‘Four Oaks’ Bossingham, Nr Canterbury

By Alex Davies

Two styles are available, but all overlook the countryside and are within walking distance of the primary school and The Minnis, about 124 acres of ramblers paradise!

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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.

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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.

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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

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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.

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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 […]

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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?

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Post-Coronavirus property market predictions

By Alex Davies

Savills research team recently offered some interesting analysis of what a UK property market recovery could look like post-Coronavirus predicting transaction volumes could be down by up to 45% for 2020 with the greatest impact […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Our Specialist Valuers

Alex Davies

Alex Davies

Managing Director and Head of Country Houses
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Simon Godfrey

Simon Godfrey

Director and Valuer
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Sarah Holgate

Sarah Holgate

Associate Director and Head of Office
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James Hickman

James Hickman

Director and Head of Farms, Land and Equestrian Property
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Greg Wood

Greg Wood

Director and Valuer
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Moya Bowerman

Moya Bowerman

Associate Director and Head of Residential Lettings
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Bill Lightfoot

Bill Lightfoot

Director - Development Consultancy
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