Ashford, Kent

One of the best places to live in the UK

If the opinion of some 400 local authorities matter, Ashford was recently voted one of the best places to live in the UK. This fast growing town of currently some 60.000plus inhabitants, big and widening home market, and some prosperous business opportunities, is also growing as a tourist destination, focusing, as it seems, on mostly business tourism. It is perfectly located, thus transportation is definitely its advantage - starting from its closeness to London, about an hour by road.

Situated in the county of Kent that just recently lost its prestigious title of "Gardens of England" after 400 years or so, Ashford, as a market place and agricultural hub, has been for a long time a centre of business and communication liaison in the county. Formerly a railway crossroad of country nowadays is equally important European link with High Speed Eurostar Trains to London, Paris and Lille.

Due to the industrial growth, not much is left from the old-time romantic Ashford. Many old building were actually destroyed because of the urban growth, in particular, because of the ring road around the centre.

Ashford is well located to visit the beautiful Kent countryside or the coastal resorts and the historic city of Canterbury, with its renowned cathedral, is only half an hour drive away. Godinton House and Gardens, for example, is not only the rare historic site to see, but it's also a weather depending attraction, and Ashford does not have the best weather even for Brits.

It perhaps lost some of its medieval charm but is becoming a modern town with quite and cottage-like places pushed towards peripheral borders. You may eat or just stop for a beer in one of the old pubs in the centre of the town, but when you step out you will probably end up in one of the three big shopping malls or pedestrian High Street, a.k.a. another shopping trap.

With over 30 hotels, many bed & breakfast places, cottage and farm houses, Ashford still offers a lovely mixture for visitors. Being the heart of still gorgeous Kent countryside, it offers easy access to county's beautiful nature, coastal resort and only half an hour drive to the city of Canterbury.