Experience Ashford & Tenterden

01/03/2025

We're really pleased to be able to share the new Ashford & Tenterden Tourism Association (ATTA) brochure with you.

The tourism association is a fully constituted membership organisation that exists to raise the profile of tourism in the Ashford Borough. Our members represent businesses from across the tourism spectre including accommodation providers, attractions, leisure and retail facilities and local organisations.

Find out more about our members and view the brochure here 👉 https://orlo.uk/21VRt

28/02/2025

Mother's Day is approaching, do you need some inspiration on how to treat that special person in your life? Whether it's a day out, a gift voucher, a unique experience or something gift wrapped - we've got you covered!

🍰 Afternoon Tea
🍽 Michelin Guide Dining
⭐ Spa Treatment
🛍 Shopping Trip
🍷 Wine Tour
🚂 Steam Train Ride
🚶‍♀️ Walk and Country Pub

Take a look for more ideas on things to see and do in Ashford and Tenterden this Mother's Day https://orlo.uk/Yptu7

26/02/2025

Long-held plans to transform Park Mall Shopping Centre moved a step closer after plans to demolish the centre were agreed.

Despite the council’s best efforts to revive its fortunes, the Park Mall shopping complex has been in a state of spiralling decline for several years and is operating at a significant loss. Therefore, this move would reduce the council’s operating losses on the site and pave the way forward for the onward redevelopment and regeneration of Park Mall.

By securing the freehold, the council now has full control over the site, with these plans playing an important role in the wider regeneration of the town centre.

The next stage is taking forward a planning application for the demolition of Park Mall and Edinburgh Road Car Park and the provision of an interim surface level car park and triggering break clauses for Park Mall tenants to secure vacant possession of the site by October 2025. The council will work closely with existing Park Mall tenants and where appropriate, seek to support them in relocating into vacant units elsewhere in the town centre.

The exception would be the three tenants (O2, Kamsons and Greggs), whose units face onto Upper High Street and have longer term leases. These three units will remain, as they maintain an attractive and active presence and will not impede the wider re-development of the site.

Read more here: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/news/latest-news/park-mall-shopping-centre-to-play-its-part-in-town-centre-transformation/

Loveashford

26/02/2025

🕊🦅 Morning Bird-watching Tours on The Kent & East Sussex Railway 🦅🕊

12th April and 13th May

Join expert ornithologist David Campbell of Wildstarts for a morning bird watching tour. You'll have a great chance to spot some rare birds such as nightingales, turtle doves and cuckoos as you travel through the beautiful Wealden countryside.

Board the train at Tenterden for an 08:00 departure along the line in a heritage diesel observation train with large windows offering great views of the surrounding countryside. The return trip will include at least 3 stops en-route, where you will be able to listen and watch out for a variety of different birds. The train arrives back at Tenterden at around 10:45 for a delicious cooked breakfast in the Station Refreshment Rooms.

Find out more about events in Ashford and Tenterden https://orlo.uk/M3pfH

22/02/2025

Welcome to the newest member of the Ashford and Tenterden Tourism Association ⭐ Oast Wood Wines⭐

Oast Wood vineyard is part of Potts Farm, a centuries old grassland farm near Tenterden. The vineyard is set next to a Roman road and is surrounded by huge hedges, ancient woodland, wildflower meadows, iron ponds, and natural streams.

Kate and Stephen have lived at Potts Farm for over twenty years, farming in a way that is harmonious with the environment and celebrates the beauty of the English countryside. Inspired by the history of the area, the changing nature of local agricultural landscapes, and encouraged by the energy and quality of English viticulture, they planted the vineyard in 2021 with a combination of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Bacchus, and Divico vines. Planting on sandstone, clay, and loam and to explore the unique qualities of this terroir focusing on small batch single estate, single vintage, still wines.

Selling predominantly from the cellar door which is a cart shed in an 18th century hay barn. They are delighted to welcome guests for tours, tastings, and to buy wine. Opening hours during the season are available on their website.

If you want to stay on the farm, they also have a wonderful one-bedroom barn which can be booked to extend your stay!

Find out more about Oast Wood and The Tourism Association https://orlo.uk/l4XEl

20/02/2025

Looking for some luxury? How about a visit to BOYS HALL

They have nine individual bedrooms ranging in size and character from intimate and cosy to large and spacious. Each has its own unique character and is named taking inspiration from the local area.

Dine in the restaurant, relax in the lounges, or get cosy in the pub. Showcasing the best that Kent has to offer, with a menu that changes with the seasons!

What are you waiting for??

Find out more about Boys Hall and other places to visit https://orlo.uk/q9dnF

18/02/2025

The award-winning UK Electric Bike Centre Ltd offers a unique experience viewing the beautiful Weald of Kent countryside on an electric bike for a perfect, more sustainable tour of the Garden of England. They have carefully designed a number of routes on quiet country lanes with little traffic. On route, you will see castles and gardens, award-winning vineyards where you can stop for a tour and tasting and pretty villages steeped in history. See spitfire and hurricane planes fly overhead as you pass one of the last grass war time airfields in the southeast. What trip wouldn’t be complete without lunch in a Kentish pub and there are many along route or enjoy home made sandwiches that can be ordered.

They can also organise bespoke routes for your group. Please get in touch with UK Electric Bikes to discuss what you would like to see and do.

https://orlo.uk/DTFM2

16/02/2025

Need some ideas for the half term?? We've got you covered......

🚂 The Kent & East Sussex Railway - Kids Go Free Offer & a visit from Bluey on 18/19th Feb (Bluey not included in Kids Go Free Offer).
🐰 At Rare Breeds Centre you'll find 100 acres of beautiful farm to explore, and Princess Day on 15th!
📽 The Ashford Cinema have some great films on.
🦒 Visit Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve for an authentic safari in the Kent countryside and come face-to-face with giraffes, zebras, rhinos and many more species.
🎨 Craft Workshop on 18th and Face Painting on 20th at County Square Shopping Centre
🚶‍♀️ Kent Downs National Landscape are here to help you beat the school holiday boredom with some fantastic activities.
🚂 Head to Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway this half term (18th - 20th and 22nd - 23rd Feb), for some great family fun!
🦅 Kent Wildlife Trust have masses of ideas for keeping the children interested in Wildlife.
🎨 Made in Ashford hold loads of workshops and creative groups, including pottery, watercolours, sketching and you can even try your hand at knitting and crochet!

Find out more https://orlo.uk/PNX2p

14/02/2025

Any plans for the weekend?

Check out what's on at The Ashford Cinema located in Elwick Place

⭐ Bridget Jones Made About The Boy (Rated 15)
⭐ Dog Man (Rated U)
⭐ Becoming Led Zeppelin (Rated 12A)
⭐ September 5 (Rated 15)
⭐ Flight Risk (Rated 15)
⭐ A Complete Unknown (Rated 15)
⭐ Tiddler (Rated U)
⭐ Captain America: A Brave New World (Rated 12A)

Book here https://orlo.uk/SfV28

12/02/2025

Have you left it to the last minute for a Valentine's gift?

Don't panic.... treat the one you love to a gift voucher ♥

Here are a few suggestions:

⭐ Green Farm Kent
♥ Ashford Designer Outlet
⭐ Ashford International Hotel
♥ Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
⭐ County Square Shopping Centre
♥ Eastwell Manor
⭐ The Ashford Cinema
♥ London Beach Country Hotel & Spa

Not forgetting all the wonderful vineyards we have in the borough, most will offer gift vouchers! Find out about them on our website https://orlo.uk/SZcct

10/02/2025

Did you miss out on the 2024 Big Cat Open Days? 🐯 🦁 🐆

Well, now is your chance to book for this year at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden!

📆 25 - 27th July and 31 July - 3rd Aug
⏲ 10.30 am - 4.30 pm
📌 Headcorn Rd, Smarden, Ashford TN27 8PJ

These open days are a fantastic way to see the beautiful animals and all the incredible work that goes into looking after them - it's an amazing day out for all the family!

Each day will include displays, educational talks from the keepers, family-friendly activities with a Marketplace and plenty of delicious food & drink stalls.

Book now to avoid disappointment! https://orlo.uk/eApPd

10/02/2025

Congratulations The Kent & East Sussex Railway

Proud to announce that we’ve received two Highly Commended Awards at the Heritage Railway Association 2025 Awards, which were announced last night. One for our collaboration with Mr Doodle and the other for 18-year old Steam Raiser, Crossing Keeper and Signalman Aodhan in the prestigious Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer of the Year Award. Honoured to have been shortlisted in a highly competitive year. Congratulations to all the worthy winners!

Pictured (left to right): K&ESR Trustee Matthew Hyner, K&ESR press Officer Alison Miles and young volunteer Aodhan Kavanagh accepting the awards in Newcastle on Saturday evening (8 February).

Visit South East England Visit 1066 Country Visit Tenterden Experience Ashford & Tenterden Tenterden Town Council Visit Kent VisitEngland Experience Sussex Kentish Express Tenterden, Kent - The Jewel of the Weald BBC Kent ITV News Meridian CommunityAd Wider ExperienceTourism South East Heritage Railway People Tenterden and St Michaels Chat

08/02/2025

Love Shopping?! 🛍

In Ashford and Tenterden you'll find high street brands, small boutiques, designer brands, unique independent stores, antiques and some local market traders thrown in!

In Ashford town centre you'll find County Square Shopping Centre with stores such as Pandora, Next and JD Sports, just off the High Street is Park Mall where you can drop into Made in Ashford for some great locally made goodies, including jewellery, cards and homeware.

Located a few minutes from Ashford International Station, is Ashford Designer Outlet here you can shop designer brands at discounted prices, they also have a great selection of places to eat and drink, along with a fantastic kids play area.

If you're in Tenterden, the High Street is packed with unique independent stores, offering pretty much everything you could want! Every Friday in Tenterden you can visit the market which takes place in Market Square and runs from around 7.30am - 2.00pm. Here you can find local produce, such as fruit and veg, bread and cakes, plants, flowers and seafood!

Find out more about Ashford and Tenterden on our website https://orlo.uk/wQKYZ

07/02/2025

Taking England's Wine Tourism to the World 🍷🌍

Are you a winery or vineyard looking to boost your business and draw international tourists?

VisitEngland is hosting a free bespoke training programme called ‘Taking England’s Wine Tourism to the World’ supported by WineGB.

The bespoke one-day training is ideal for SMEs in the English travel industry (larger organisations are also welcome). It is designed to help English wine producers to develop vineyard experiences that appeal to the lucrative and growing inbound tourism market.

The event will take place at Kent Event Centre on 25th February 2025 from 9:30am – 5pm.

Register your place here https://orlo.uk/UdfQm

06/02/2025

The Kent & East Sussex Railway is springing into action a whole month earlier than usual this year with a Spring programme full of fun activities and special events for visitors of all ages.

From Saturday 1st February trains on the award-winning heritage line will be operating every weekend throughout February and March. In addition, during Half Term weekday services will run on Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th.

Whatever the weather, the journey will provide plenty to keep kids smiling. Everyone can turn Nature Detective with free nature-spotting fact sheets as the steam hauled trains travel through the stunning Rother Valley, a designated National Landscape. The smiles will continue for the grown-ups with a Half Term Kids Go Free offer where up to three children can travel free with one full fare-paying adult or senior.

Popular children's character Bluey is set to join the fun on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th February. Organised by Fox & Edwards events on selected services, this experience is only available through online pre-booking and is not included in the Kids Go Free offer.

Find out more https://orlo.uk/e9Upa

05/02/2025

Check out the fantastic outdoor exercise equipment in Ashford Town Centre (near the bandstand)!
Loveashford

GET READY TO WORK OUT - IN ASHFORD TOWN CENTRE!

KOMPAN are bringing their amazing outdoor fitness equipment to Ashford Town Centre in a fun Pop Up Event! (in the area in front of the bandstand)
Come and get motivated and try out the latest cardio gear and get a taste of a great workout.

Have a go between Thurs 6th to Tues 18th February.

We would love to see your workout photos - !

KOMPAN are also bringing us the Town Centre Play Train very soon - watch this space for more details in the not too distant future!

04/02/2025

♥ How will you be treating the special person in your life this Valentine's? ♥

We have some fantastic eateries in the borough, whether you're looking for a country pub, a tearoom, a vineyard or maybe one of the local restaurants that feature in the Michelin Guide.

There's something to suit all tastes!

Please be aware that most will require pre booking.

Get some inspiration https://orlo.uk/D0Vi7

03/02/2025

🪘 BOOK NOW: CUBAFROBEAT @ REVELATIONS SAT 15 FEB

Get your pulses racing and salsa moves ready for the renowned Cubafrobeat at Revelations in St Mary's Church in Ashford Town Centre!
Part of the Create Music Village season, do not miss this sensational night! Including support from Wye Supperclub DJ, Lee!

Book now for an early bird ticket of only £15 (carer's go FREE) or £20 on the door.

For more info and to book go to
https://orlo.uk/vv2TZ