What Is Living In Ashford Like? A Guide To Ashford

Last Updated October 2022

Ashford is a town located in Kent in the South East of England and has been a market town since as far back as the Middle Ages! More recently Ashford has undergone a few developments to the town centre, shopping areas and new housing developments.

Driving into London city centre will take you around 1hr 30 minutes via car but just around 40 minutes via train, making this town great for commuters into the capital

 

Ashford is an ideal place to live for many, including families and commuters. Ashford is set in the heart of the ‘Garden of England’ due to the gentle rolling hills Kent has to offer. Ashford is an ideal place for many to move to as it is away from the hustle and bustle of London and surrounding cities (as well as Brussels and Paris which are accessible via train) but within close and easy access making it a great commuter town.

In Ashford itself not only does it offer a gentle calm way of life with lots of parks and greenery, but it succeeds in mixing the old with the new too. Ashford and the villages surrounding are steeped in history and retain some old-style buildings and 18th-century windmills, but Ashford has been modernised to fit in with contemporary living such as new shopping areas and new homes.

Furthermore, there are also lots of good schools in the area making it a great location for young families.

rolling hills in ashford

 

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The population size has increased by 12.5%, from around 118,000 in 2011 to 132,700 in 2021, with a 56% increase to 70-74-year-olds living in the town, compared to only a 4% increase to 20-24-year-olds in the town.

Close-by areas in the South East such as Dartford have seen an even bigger increase to the population of 20%. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit busier than Ashford, why not look at our Dartford Area Guide for more information?

 

On average over the last few months, there were less than 300 crimes reported within each month of 2021. The latest report on the Police website states that during the month of July 2022 the highest reported number of crimes were violence and sexual offences at 111 reports followed by anti-social behaviour at 53 reports and public order at 20.

The burglary rates for Ashford are very low with 6 reported burglary crimes in July 2022 and 79 reported over the last 12 months. Ashford’s least common crime is theft from the person, with 40 offences recorded in 2021.

 

The current average value for a property in Ashford as estimated by Zoopla in September 2022 is £361,150, up from last year by 3%.

Detached House Prices In Ashford

The current average sold price for detached houses in Ashford is £542,576.

Semi-Detached House Prices In Ashford

The current average sold price for semi-detached houses in Ashford is £331,175.

Terraced House Prices In Ashford

The current average sold price for terraced houses in Ashford is £276,645.

Flat Prices In Ashford

The current average sold price for flats in Ashford is £172,322.

 

How much does it cost to rent in Ashford

The following shows how much the average rental property costs in 2022 in Barrow-in-Furness:

Room – £750

Flat – £1,948

House – £1,471

Average Property Rental Cost Per Room (PCM)

1 bed –  £913

2 beds – £1,070

3 beds – £1,628

4 beds – £2,057

rented home giving keys

 

What are the best neighbourhoods in Ashford

Willesborough, Ashford

Willesborough is a suburb located in the East of Ashford. It contains a few good schools for families, the popular 19th century windmill, The Windmill Inn pub, a cricket ground and even a ‘pie ‘n mash’ café!

Great Chart, Ashford

If you enjoy living in a village close to a river and lake, Great Chart is a great location for you. The Great Stour River runs through Great Chart and benefits from the pretty Singleton Lake. There are also a few good schools within the area, a rifle club and clothing shop Matalan.

Beaver Green

Beaver Green is close to the train station so is great for commuters but also benefits from good schools and the large Victoria Park which runs along the river in the area. It is mostly terraced housing and flats in this area.

 

What are the schools like in Ashford

There are 32 schools and colleges located within three miles of Ashford. 4 schools in the area have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, 25 have been rated ‘Good’ and the rest have not been rated by Ofsted.

What Universities Are In Ashford?

The closest university to Ashford is the University of Kent, which achieved the Gold award in the Teaching Excellence Framework, rated 21st in the Times Higher Education ‘Tables of Tables’ in 2017 and 95% of graduates found and job or continued studies within 6 months of completing their course. Anthropology, Astronomy, Biomedical Science, French, Military History and Wildlife Conservation are just a handful of courses on offer here.

 

Buses In Ashford

Stagecoach run the bus routes in Ashford. You can travel with confidence knowing you are on a clean, safe bus and are able to check if the bus is busy beforehand. You’ll make great savings with unlimited journeys around the Ashford district with their ticket options. These are available to buy on the bus or when you download our mobile ticketing app – the perfect solution for fuss-free travel.

Trains In Ashford

Ashford International is the railway station located within the town. This train station is impressive for the number of routes it includes. Not only can you reach London in under 40 minutes on Britain’s only high speed commuter service bullet train but this train station connects with many European cities thanks to the Eurostar service. From Ashford International you can reach Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Marseille, Rotterdam, Lille, Lyon and Avignon!

Closest Airport To Ashford

London Gatwick is the closest airport to Ashford. It will take you around an hour via the M20 by car and around 1hr 30 minutes by train. However, London City airport will take you around an hour by train and around 1hr 30 minutes by road. So depending on your destination and preferred mode of transport will decide on which airport is quickest to reach.

transport bus chairs

 

These are the top three restaurants in Ashford according to Tripadvisor:

Amici Restaurant

Amici is a family run authentic Italian restaurant serving delicious home-made food using only the finest ingredients combined with local fresh produce. They pride themselves on not only providing great service and quality food but also to take you and your taste on a journey through Italy.

The Dog House Micropub and Vinyl Bar

Housed in what was originally the barn for convalescing dogs from the vets The Dog House is a warm and inviting micro pub offering local ales, homemade food and live music. We also have an extensive vinyl collection for you to peruse and play or bring your own along and listen while you relax with a drink.

 

There are many shops dotted up and down the high street in Ashford which are accompanied by three shopping centres within close proximity.

Ashford Designer Outlet

The Ashford Designer Outlet houses 85 luxury brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and Kate Spade and a further 15 restaurants so you can spend the whole day shopping and eating out there!

County Square

There are a further 48 shops located in County Square and a few cafes to boot. This shopping centre contains some of your favourite high street chains such as Newlook and Deichmann.

 

The top three hotels in Ashford include nationwide hotels such as Travelodges, Hampton by Hilton, and Premier Inn’s. Excluding these hotels the following three are the best ranked on Tripadvisor:

Ashford International Hotel

Looking for a countryside escape for business or pleasure? Then say hello to the Ashford International Hotel & Spa, a four-star hotel tucked away in idyllic Kent but with London’s bright lights conveniently close by. Book from £76 per night.

New Flying Horse

A fabulous country inn with a roaring fire & its own great outdoors, the New Flying Horse is one of Kent’s most delightful pubs serving a fantastic dining experience 7 days a week. Book from £114 per night.

Eastwell Manor

A luxury spa hotel in Kent, Eastwell Manor is a picture-perfect countryside break in the heart of the Garden of England. Home to traditional afternoon tea, a fairy tale wedding venue, a Champneys spa, inspiring meeting spaces and an award-winning restaurant, our speciality is special occasions and helping you celebrate in style.

 

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Entertainment In Ashford

Top 10 Things to do in Ashford:

  • Godinton House and Gardens
  • Victoria Park
  • Kent Downs
  • Conningbrook Lakes
  • Ashford Museum
  • Wye National Nature Reserve
  • Willesborough Windmill
  • Biddenden Vineyards
  • Kent and East Sussex Steam Railway
  • St Mary the Virgin Church

 

When moving into a new home changing the locks is vital as you never know how many keys are out there and risk the keys falling into the wrong hands. Arrange for a Ashford Locksmith to come and fit a new lock the day you get your keys to provide you with peace of mind. We at Keytek® Locksmiths Ashford provide a professional local mobile Locksmith service complying with British Standard and Home Insurance policies to ensure your home is as secure as can be! What’s more is all our customers benefit from a FREE home security check on site to ensure your home is as secure as can be!

There are many other things you need to consider when moving home so check out our Moving Home Checklist to help you along the way! Once you’re in, consider improving the security of your home further still by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Home Security here!

View our Keytek® Locksmiths Ashford page to find your local Locksmith today or call us on 01784 777 221!

ashford map

 

Jessica Davies
Local Area Expert at Keytek Locksmiths

Jessica brings over six years of specialised expertise to Keytek's comprehensive UK location guides, combining meticulous research with genuine local insight. As the architect behind Keytek’s area profiles, she delivers essential intelligence on house prices, crime statistics, schools, and community character—everything you need to know about the city or town. Armed with a photography degree from the University of Brighton and an exhibited portfolio, Jessica approaches each location asking, "What would it be like to live here?" This perspective transforms dry statistics into lived experience, revealing not just what places cost, but what they truly offer. Since 2019, Jessica has partnered with Keytek®'s security professionals, weaving real-world safety expertise into every guide. Her work addresses practical realities: Is this neighbourhood genuinely safe? What security considerations matter? How does local infrastructure support daily life? From bustling cities to quiet villages, Jessica's field research uncovers authentic local character. Her commitment to accuracy and on-the-ground investigation has established her as a trusted voice—helping people navigate different locations across the UK and home security with complete confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ashford A Nice Place To Live?

⌄

Ashford is set in the heart of the ‘Garden of England’ due to the gentle rolling hills Kent has to offer. Ashford is an ideal place for many to move to as it is away from the hustle and bustle of London and surrounding cities (as well as Brussels and Paris which are accessible via train) but within close and easy access making it a great commuter town.

What Is The Population Of Ashford’s Population?

⌄

The population size has increased by 12.5%, from around 118,000 in 2011 to 132,700 in 2021, with a 56% increase to 70–74-year-olds living in the town, compared to only a 4% increase to 20–24-year-olds in the town.

Is Ashford A Safe Place To Live?

⌄

On average over the last few months, there were less than 300 crimes reported within each month of 2021. The latest report on the Police website states that during the month of July 2022 the highest reported number of crimes were violence and sexual offences at 111 reports followed by anti-social behaviour at 53 reports and public order at 20.

What Are The Average House Prices In Ashford?

⌄

The current average value for a property in Ashford as estimated in September 2022 is £361,150, up from last year by 3%.