Ashford & Tenterden

Best of Ashford 2017 pan to CMYK.qxp_Best of ashford 29/11/2016 15:03 Page 1
Stroll around the grounds of Godinton House where
delphiniums are a speciality or savour the peaceful setting
of the woodland garden at Beech Court. Discover the
stunning bluebells and autumn colours at Hole Park and
for an extra special day, book onto a Fact or Fiction
guided tour.
Enjoy international and home-grown
talent at Revelation Ashford, the
award-winning music and arts
venue. Treat yourself to a ranger,
photography day or overnight safari
at The Big Cat Sanctuary, then relax
and unwind at Green Farm Spa.
Take in first-class sporting facilities
at the Julie Rose Stadium and
Stour Centre, expert tuition at Paul
Foston’s world-class Golf Academy
or enjoy a warm welcome at the
9 hole London Beach and 18 hole Tenterden Golf Clubs.
Steam along to medieval Bodiam Castle with the Kent &
East Sussex Railway and then enjoy the animals and fun
activities at the Rare Breeds Centre. Head towards
Appledore and atmospheric Romney Marsh and take a
trip on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway –
‘the world’s smallest public railway’. Visit Howletts Wild
Animal Park and Port Lympne Reserve home to some of
the world’s most endangered animals.
Celebrate Ashford’s railway
heritage at the Borough
Museum and see corn
being ground at
Willesborough Windmill.
Watch local history come
alive at Woodchurch and
Tenterden Museums.
Discover Morgan threewheeled
cars at Rolvenden
and visit Stocks Windmill,
Kent’s tallest post mill built in 1781.
Shopping Centre for top
high street stores and to the
Ashford Designer Outlet for
brand names at big
discounts. Don’t miss
a visit to the town centre’s
first family-run tearoom –
The Little Teapot. Browse
in the many antique and
independent shops in
Tenterden and then visit Stevenson Brothers Rocking Horse
Workshop in nearby Bethersden. A visit to Ticketyboo in
Wye, an old Cobblers turned gift and art shop, is a must.
tours and tastings at Chapel Down, Hush
Heath and Biddenden Vineyards, and the Old
Dairy Brewery - you can even take the tour by
Electric Bike! Gibbet Oak sells a range of
locally produced Kentish fare and their own
apples, pears, ciders and fruit juices.
Produced and published by the Ashford and Tenterden
Tourism Association - 01233 330345.
Designed and printed by Typecast Colour - 01892 838382
Photo credits: Front cover top Visit Kent, bottom Bill Oates
*ATC - Ashford Tourism Charter
Ashford and Tenterden are ideal bases from which to
discover the very best of the Garden of England.
Set among beautiful ’Darling Buds of May’ countryside,
a host of beautiful gardens,
historic houses, steam
railways, award-winning
vineyards, windmills and
small, unique attractions are
waiting to be discovered.
Ashford’s high-speed train
service means London is just
38 minutes away, and for the
more adventurous, Paris,
Brussels and Lille are just a couple of hours by Eurostar.
There is also a wealth of top quality accommodation -
from first-class hotels and cosy B & Bs to self-catering
in oast houses and modern holiday parks.
Ashford offers all the best of a flourishing market town,
with its rich mix of historic buildings, and all the vibrancy
of a modern international gateway, with Ashford’s
International Eurostar station lending a continental
ambience.
Tenterden, known as the ‘Jewel of the Weald’, is a typical
English country town. At its heart is the attractive high
street full of antique shops, tea rooms, inns and specialist
shops with wide tree-lined greens distancing you from the
world going by.
revelation st mary’s
Revelation St. Mary’s is Ashford Town Centre’s unique and
award-winning music and arts venue, hosting concerts,
exhibitions and events throughout the year. Awe-inspiring
and intimate, this Grade I listed venue welcomes local and
internationally renowned artists.
revelationstmarys.co.uk
willesborough windmill
Willesborough Windmill, built in 1869,
is one of the largest smock mills in
Ashford Gateway Plus, Church Road, the South of England. The Grade II
Ashford, Kent TN23 1AS Tel: 01233 330316 listed structure ground corn until it
visitashfordandtenterden.co.uk
was converted to a private dwelling in
the 1950s. Curious visitors can now
experience the working mill and explore
life in the Victorian Miller’s Cottage.
willesboroughwindmill.co.uk
ashford borough museum
Ashford’s first grammar school, a Grade II listed building, is
a fitting setting for the Ashford Borough Museum. Immerse
yourself in artefacts from the prehistoric era to the modern
day. Key moments in Ashford’s past come to life with
interactive displays on the railway, the borough at war, and
much more.
ashfordmuseum.org.uk
PLUCKLEY – Elvey Farm
★★★★ AA
Elvey Lane, Pluckley,
Tel: 01233 713333
holidayinnashford.com
ASHFORD – Holiday Inn
ASHFORD – Eastwell Manor
AA★★★★
Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees,
ASHFORD – Ashford
International AA★★★★
Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford,
TN24 8UX
Tel: 01233 219988
qhotels.co.uk
FAMOUS FACES
H.G.WELLS
The local author of The War of the Worlds is mostly known
for science-fiction, but in his fantasy story Mr Skelmersdale in
Fairyland, Aldington Knoll in Ashford reveals its secret – it’s a
home of elves!
JANE AUSTEN
With her brother Edward having the sense (and sensibility) to
live in nearby Godmersham Park, Jane was a frequent visitor
to assembly balls in the town’s Saracen’s Head coaching inn.
SIMONE WEIL
Renowned philosopher Simone joined the French Resistance,
and later succumbed to tuberculosis in Ashford after
refusing to eat more food than the residents of Occupied
France received. She is buried in the Old Ashford Cemetery
and is known today as one of the most globally-influential
writers on religion.
FREDERICK FORSYTH
Best known for gripping thrillers, Forsyth grew up in his
parents’ North Street furrier shop with the Battle of Britain
raging above. After becoming the youngest pilot in the RAF,
Forsyth joined Reuters as a war correspondent before writing
bestselling novel The Day of the Jackal.
RICHARD LOVELACE
A Cavalier poet and member
of the Lovelace family of
Bethersden, he gave Ashford
its motto ‘With Stronger
Faith’. Coming from the 1649
poem ‘To Lucasta, Going to
the Warres’, it was chosen to
represent the determination
of the Borough.
H.E.BATES
Fans of the TV series The Darling Buds of May will recognise
Buss Farm as the home of Pop Larkin. Bates lived in Little
Chart and, whilst visiting the village shop in neighbouring
Pluckley, came across ‘in high spirits, a remarkable family’ –
the inspiration for the lovably roguish Larkin clan.
Stephen Hills
Noted architect Stephen Hills, who was born in Ashford
in 1771 and emigrated to America, designed the original
Pennsylvania State Capitol building.
Dr. John Wallis
Mathematician John Wallis, who is given partial credit for
the development of infinitesimal calculus, was born in
College Court in 1616, his father being
the Vicar of St. Mary’s. He served as chief
cryptographer for parliament and the
royal court between 1643 and 1689 and
is credited with introducing the symbol
for infinity!
Annie Oakley
Immortalised in the musical ‘Annie Get your Gun’, American
sharpshooter Annie Oakley stayed at the ‘Royal Oak’ hotel in
the Lower High Street where she gave shooting displays to
the public.
Sir Norton Knatchbull
A member of parliament for Ashford during the reign
of Charles I, he founded Ashford’s first grammar school
modelled on the lines of Eton and Harrow colleges.
visitashfordandtenterden.co.uk
Must See, Must Do
Willesborough Windmill TN24 0QG
Take a guided tour
of this working
windmill to see
how flour is made
using the power of
the wind and then
visit The Barn Café
for cream teas and
light refreshments.
For details of special
events held throughout the year please visit our
website: willesboroughwindmill.co.uk. The Mill is also
a licensed wedding venue and more information can
be found at windmillweddings.co.uk
T: 01233 661866 W: willesboroughwindmill.co.uk
Situated: 1m east of Ashford. Open: April to end of
October, 2pm – 5pm, Sat*/Sun/Bank Holiday Mons
and Wed during July/August. *Please check our
website before visiting on a Saturday as the Mill will
be closed if there is a wedding.
Admission: Free admission to mill site. There is a
small charge for guided tours: Adult £3, Family £7,
Concessions and Children over 5 years £1.50.
Partial
T
Our Website & Brochures
Many leading winemakers
are located in the Tenterden
area – but it’s not just wine.
Conditions are also ideal for
growing hops, apples and
pears to make
delicious beers,
ciders and juices.
Each vineyard
and brewery
is unique and
has something
different to
explore, so contact
us for a free guide.
Great Days Out
Historic Houses and Gardens
Leisure Time
Family Fun
History and Heritage
KINGSNORTH –
Broadhembury Caravan &
Camping Park ★★★★★
Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth,
Ashford, TN26 1NQ
Tel: 01233 620859
broadhembury.co.uk
ASHFORD – Godinton Estate
Ninn Lane, Great Chart,
Ashford, TN23 3DA
Tel: 01233 620908
godintonhouse.co.uk
Camping & Caravanning
MULBERRY COTTAGES
Unique, lovely holiday
accommodation –
from quaint picturesque cottages
to modern city centre apartments.
Tel: 01227 464958
mulberrycottages.com
KENT & SUSSEX
HOLIDAY COTTAGES
250+ VisitEngland graded self catering
holiday lets in Kent & Sussex.
Tel: 01580 720770
kentandsussexcottages.co.uk
BRAMLEY AND TEAL
HOLIDAY COTTAGES
From idyllic country houses
to seaside retreats….
Tel: 01580 713669
bramleyandteal.co.uk
Self Catering Agencies
SHADOXHURST –
Green Farm Barn & Spa
★★★★ GOLD AWARD
Church Lane, Shadoxhurst,
Ashford, TN26 1LS
Tel: 01233 733997
greenfarmkent.co.uk
KINGSNORTH –
Broadhembury Caravan
& Camping Park ★★★★★
Steeds Lane, Kingsnorth,
Ashford, TN26 1NQ
Tel: 01233 620859
broadhembury.co.uk
APPLEDORE, KENARDINGTON,
WOODCHURCH –
Ashby Farms Ltd ★★ TO ★★★
Place Farm, Kenardington,
Ashford, TN26 2LZ
Tel: 01233 733332
ashbyfarms.com
Self Catering
TENTERDEN – The White
Cottage B & B
Ashford Road, St Michaels,
Tenterden, TN30 6SR
Tel: 01233 850583
thewhitecottagebedandbreakfast.co.uk
TENTERDEN –
Little Dane Court ★★★★
1 Ashford Road, Tenterden,
TN30 6AB
Tel: 01580 763389
littledanecourt.co.uk
Shopping
Head for Ashford Town Centre and County Square
Cheers
Follow our vineyard and brewery trail and enjoy
ELMSTED – Elmsted Court Farm
★★★★ SILVER AND BREAKFAST AWARDS
Elmsted, Ashford,
TN25 5JN
Tel: 01233 750269
bandbcanterbury.co.uk
Bed & Breakfast
Visiting in 2017
Tourist Information
TENTERDEN – Collina House
B & B
5 East Hill, Tenterden,
TN30 6RL
Tel: 01580 764852
collinahousehotel.co.uk
SISSINGHURST –
The Milk House ATC*
The Street, Sissinghurst
TN17 2JG
Tel: 01580 720200
themilkhouse.co.uk
MERSHAM –
Stone Green Farm B & B ★★★★★
Mersham
Ashford, TN25 7HE
Tel: 01233 720365
stonegreenfarm.co.uk
TENTERDEN – London Beach
Hotel, Spa & Country Club
★★★
Ashford Road, Tenterden
TN30 6HX
Tel: 01580 766279
londonbeach.com
TENTERDEN – Little Silver
Country Hotel ★★★ SILVER AWARD
Ashford Road, St. Michaels,
Tenterden, TN30 6SP
Tel: 01233 850321
little-silver.co.uk
Check out our website for all the latest news:
visitashfordandtenterden.co.uk
If you’ve been inspired to visit Ashford
and Tenterden, then why not contact us
for a brochure: tourism@ashford.gov.uk
Ashford North ★★★
A20, Maidstone Road, Hothfield,
Ashford, TN26 1AR
2017
Ashford &
Tenterden
LEISURE TIME
Places to
Visit
&
Where to
Stay
Ashford, TN27 0SU
Tel: 01233 840442
elveyfarm.co.uk
Ashford, TN25 4HR
Tel: 01233 213000
eastwellmanor.co.uk
Hotels
visitashfordandtenterden .co.uk
Places to Visit,
Where to Stay
With Stronger Faith
Tell me not (Sweet) I am unkind,
That from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind
To war and arms I fly.
True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.
Yet this inconstancy is such
As you too shall adore;
I could not love thee (Dear) so much,
Lov’d I not Honour more.
Discover
Tenterden
Tenterden
Heritage Trail
ASHFORD
heritage
TRAIL
enjoy a walk through
As h f o ’s r past d
Ashford
Heritage Trail
16
24
ASHFORD & TENTERDEN VISITOR GUIDE 2017