Pictures of Ashford

About Ashford

Local cattle and sheep reared on Romney Marsh have ensured the success of this lively little Market town. Ashford's Cattle Show is one of the oldest in the country and people flock here from all over, to show their prize animals or to simply enjoy a day out. The town gained importance after a railway junction was sited here in the mid 19th-century but Ashford's history stretches way back in the annals of time, this is demonstrated by the many fine old buildings to be seen in the town; including, the 15th-century church, the old grammar school and the market house.

Ashford is a pleasant town to visit, it bears all of the hallmarks of Wealden towns and villages with some very fine examples of Weatherboarded buildings to be seen both in the town and nearby villages. The shopping facilities are excellent and there are many interesting old inns in the area. Ashford has a fine Museum with many objects of interest on display.

The Romney Marshes are an area on the South Coast of England which lies between Folkstone in the East and Winchelsea in the West. The land used to be Marshland but over the passage of time it has been changed to its present form - farmland. Quite a large area of the land lies below sea level but protection throughout, is provided by sea defences and walls.

The Marshes are famous for their sheep and smuggling and for many years smuggling provided some local families with their only source of income! The area is used by Windsurfers, Sailors and other Watersport enthusiasts. There are good safe beaches along the coastline of the Romney Marshes.

Your trip should include a visit to nearby Bethersden. This village provided the Marble for the alter steps to Canterbury Cathedral. The ancient Cinque Port of Hythe is well worth a visit, so to is Dymchurch, once the historic centre for the government of the Cinque Ports. It is known that Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother enjoyed a long association with the Cinque Ports. The countryside all around is quite spectacular and one could easily enjoy time spent relaxing on golden sands or touring the many towns and villages that abound throughout this very special area.