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To Do in Kent
View over Ashford town centre and St Mary the Virgin's Church from above
Photo: Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0

Things to do in Ashford

Ashford sits at the centre of Kent with fast rail links and easy access to the Weald, the Romney Marsh and the coast at Folkestone and Hythe.

Ask Doodle about AshfordFilter everything nearby

Places in and around Ashford

View over Ashford town centre and St Mary the Virgin's Church from abovePhoto of Ashford: Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0
Indoor and rainy dayAshford · 2 km

Hollywood Bowl Ashford

Hollywood Bowl Ashford is a ten-pin bowling centre in the middle of town, with 18 lanes, arcade games, pool tables and a bar and diner. Bumpers, lighter balls and ramps help young children join in, while VIP lanes suit adult groups. Allow around 45 minutes per game for up to six players.

Deals include 3 games from £10.50 and a game with a burger or hot dog, fries and a drink from £8.50. Prices vary by time and are confirmed at checkout.Directions
The Warren, from Kent Wildlife TrustImage: Kent Wildlife Trust
OutdoorsAshford · 2 km

The Warren

The Warren, managed with Ashford Warren and Hoads Wood by Kent Wildlife Trust, is a 35 hectare nature reserve tucked between roads, railway and housing in Ashford. Expect huge old trees, sandy cliff faces, frog-filled ponds and spectacular bluebells in spring, with woodpeckers and nuthatches in the woods. It is a good spot for an hour or two of walking, with or without the dog.

FreeDirections
Godinton House and Gardens, from Godinton House & GardensImage: Godinton House & Gardens
History and heritageAshford · 3 km

Godinton House and Gardens

Godinton is a historic house on the edge of Ashford with roots in the 14th century, surrounded by ancient parkland of oaks and chestnuts. Guided tours explore 600 years of history and a fine collection of furniture, art and porcelain, while twelve acres of gardens include formal and wilder areas. Events through the year range from open-air theatre to Christmas wreath workshops.

£10 to £25Directions
OutdoorsHamstreet · 8 km

Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve

Ham Street Woods is a 97 hectare remnant of the ancient oak forest that once covered the Weald, and one of England's first National Nature Reserves. Three waymarked trails of 2.5 to 5km lead through coppiced woodland that fills with bluebells in spring and fungi in autumn. It suits walkers and nature lovers, and is easy to reach by train.

FreeDirections
Rare Breeds Centre, from Rare Breeds CentreImage: Rare Breeds Centre
Animals and wildlifeWoodchurch, near Ashford · 8 km

Rare Breeds Centre

The Rare Breeds Centre is a working farm and conservation park run by the Canterbury Oast Trust charity, set in 100 acres of countryside near Ashford. Children can meet more than 200 rare and native animals, ride the tractor trailer, explore woodland walks and burn off energy in the indoor soft play and outdoor play parks. Seasonal events include Halloween and a Christmas grotto.

Ticket prices are on the online booking page; check before visiting.Directions
King's Wood, Challock, from Forestry EnglandImage: Forestry England
OutdoorsChallock · 9 km

King's Wood, Challock

King's Wood is a 588 hectare Forestry England woodland in the Kent Downs near Challock, mixing conifers with broadleaf trees. Follow the public footpaths through sweet chestnut coppice and beech groves, which fill with bluebells in spring. It suits walkers, families and riders for anything from an hour to a half day.

FreeDirections
Gusbourne, from GusbourneImage: Gusbourne
Food and drinkAppledore · 12 km

Gusbourne

Gusbourne is an award-winning English sparkling wine estate at Appledore, with vineyards looking out over the Kent countryside. Choose from a self-guided tasting flight, a guided walk in the vines with a tutored tasting, or the full estate tour with a three-course lunch. It suits couples and friends celebrating, and visits run from about an hour to an afternoon.

£25 to £50Directions

Coming up near Ashford

Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights, from Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)
24 Oct to 1 Nov
HalloweenWoodchurch, near Ashford · 8 km

Farmyard Frights and Trick or Treat Delights

The Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford runs a family Halloween over October half term, with farmyard frights and trick or treating alongside its 200-plus animals. It suits younger children who want Halloween fun without real scares.

Check the Rare Breeds Centre booking page for prices.Directions
Christmas Gift Market at the Rare Breeds Centre, from Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)
14 Nov to 15 Nov
Christmas marketsWoodchurch, near Ashford · 8 km

Christmas Gift Market at the Rare Breeds Centre

A two-day Christmas gift market in Benson Barn at the Rare Breeds Centre, beside the car park, with free entry. It is a low-key place to start Christmas shopping, and the farm is open for a day out too.

FreeDirections
A Truly Magical Christmas at the Rare Breeds Centre, from Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)Image: Canterbury Oast Trust (Rare Breeds Centre)
28 Nov to 23 Dec
Meet Father ChristmasWoodchurch, near Ashford · 8 km

A Truly Magical Christmas at the Rare Breeds Centre

The Rare Breeds Centre turns its Cattle Barn into a glittering winter wonderland walk-through leading to Father Christmas and his elves. Every child receives a gift from Santa, and there is festive snowball throwing and a craft activity to make a keepsake. SEN grotto sessions are offered alongside standard ones.

Check the Rare Breeds Centre booking page for prices.Directions

If it rains

View over Ashford town centre and St Mary the Virgin's Church from abovePhoto of Ashford: Tim Sheerman-Chase, CC BY 2.0
Indoor and rainy dayAshford · 2 km

Hollywood Bowl Ashford

Hollywood Bowl Ashford is a ten-pin bowling centre in the middle of town, with 18 lanes, arcade games, pool tables and a bar and diner. Bumpers, lighter balls and ramps help young children join in, while VIP lanes suit adult groups. Allow around 45 minutes per game for up to six players.

Deals include 3 games from £10.50 and a game with a burger or hot dog, fries and a drink from £8.50. Prices vary by time and are confirmed at checkout.Directions
Godinton House and Gardens, from Godinton House & GardensImage: Godinton House & Gardens
History and heritageAshford · 3 km

Godinton House and Gardens

Godinton is a historic house on the edge of Ashford with roots in the 14th century, surrounded by ancient parkland of oaks and chestnuts. Guided tours explore 600 years of history and a fine collection of furniture, art and porcelain, while twelve acres of gardens include formal and wilder areas. Events through the year range from open-air theatre to Christmas wreath workshops.

£10 to £25Directions
Rare Breeds Centre, from Rare Breeds CentreImage: Rare Breeds Centre
Animals and wildlifeWoodchurch, near Ashford · 8 km

Rare Breeds Centre

The Rare Breeds Centre is a working farm and conservation park run by the Canterbury Oast Trust charity, set in 100 acres of countryside near Ashford. Children can meet more than 200 rare and native animals, ride the tractor trailer, explore woodland walks and burn off energy in the indoor soft play and outdoor play parks. Seasonal events include Halloween and a Christmas grotto.

Ticket prices are on the online booking page; check before visiting.Directions

Free things to do

The Warren, from Kent Wildlife TrustImage: Kent Wildlife Trust
OutdoorsAshford · 2 km

The Warren

The Warren, managed with Ashford Warren and Hoads Wood by Kent Wildlife Trust, is a 35 hectare nature reserve tucked between roads, railway and housing in Ashford. Expect huge old trees, sandy cliff faces, frog-filled ponds and spectacular bluebells in spring, with woodpeckers and nuthatches in the woods. It is a good spot for an hour or two of walking, with or without the dog.

FreeDirections
OutdoorsHamstreet · 8 km

Ham Street Woods National Nature Reserve

Ham Street Woods is a 97 hectare remnant of the ancient oak forest that once covered the Weald, and one of England's first National Nature Reserves. Three waymarked trails of 2.5 to 5km lead through coppiced woodland that fills with bluebells in spring and fungi in autumn. It suits walkers and nature lovers, and is easy to reach by train.

FreeDirections
King's Wood, Challock, from Forestry EnglandImage: Forestry England
OutdoorsChallock · 9 km

King's Wood, Challock

King's Wood is a 588 hectare Forestry England woodland in the Kent Downs near Challock, mixing conifers with broadleaf trees. Follow the public footpaths through sweet chestnut coppice and beech groves, which fill with bluebells in spring. It suits walkers, families and riders for anything from an hour to a half day.

FreeDirections