Ashford is a railway town which grew up around the locomotive works of the South Eastern Railway.
This close link with the railway continues today with the International Passenger Station opened in 1996.
The Stour Valley Walk LDP passes through Ashford and it forms a link route (about 2 miles)
to the Greensand Way LDP.
Websites: www.ashfordtourism.co.uk |
www.ashford.gov.uk |
www.heartofkent.org.uk
Website: East Sussex Community Rail Partnership
Tourist Information: 18 Church Yard. Tel. 01233 629165.
Ashford Borough Museum - Church Yard
A varied collection illustrating Ashford's history, housed in the old Grammar School of 1635.
Tel. 01233 629165.
Open*: Apr-Oct, M-S 1000-1300.
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park - by bus
A 400 acre park with elephants, tigers, lions, black rhinos and gorillas.
Safari trailer rides. Mansion and formal gardens. Restaurant.
Tel. 01303 264647.
Open*: Daily 1000-1800, last admission 1630 (1500 winter).
Website: www.howletts.net
Bus: 10 from Rail Station. M-S hourly to Wild Animal Park, about 45 minutes journey.
Sun & BH every 2-3 hours to entrance drive (½ mile), 30 minutes journey.
Traveline tel. 0871 200 2233.
South of England Rare Breeds Centre - by bus
Friendly farm animals, Play Barn and animal encounters, woodland walks, aerial runways and trailer rides.
Restaurant. Tel. 01233 861493.
Open*: Apr-Sep, Daily 1030-1730. Oct-Mar, TWThFSSu 1030-1630.
Website: www.rarebreeds.org.uk
Bus: 295 from Rail Station (stop R), a few buses divert daily via the Rare Breeds Centre
at Woodchurch, 35 minutes journey.
Traveline tel. 0871 200 2233.
Tenterden - by bus
Please see the section below for several attractions in the quiet town of Tenterden.
National Rail Enquiries
tel. 0845 748 4950.
Tenterden is a traditional Kentish town with a wide High Street lined with weather-boarded shops.
The High Weald Landscape Trail LDP passes through Tenterden.
Kent & East Sussex Railway - Tenterden - by bus
A 10½ mile preserved steam railway from Tenterden to Bodiam.
Tel. 01580 765155, timetable 01580 762943.
Open*: please see website for details.
Website: www.kesr.org.uk
Bus: see above. Buses to Bodiam (the other end of the Railway) operate from
Hastings and Wadhurst.
Colonel Stephens Museum - Tenterden - by bus
This museum at Tenterden station tells the story of the man who built and ran the K&ESR and
many other Light Railways.
Open*: Apr-Oct, afternoons when K&ESR trains are running.
Website: www.hfstephens-museum.org.uk
Bus: see above.
Tenterden & District Museum - Tenterden - by bus
Townscape and history of Tenterden. Local trades, industries and agriculture.
Tel. 01580 764310.
Open*: Apr-Jun & Oct, Daily 1400-1630. Jul-Sep, Daily 1100-1630.
Website: www.ukpages.net/kent/museum.htm
Bus: see above.
National Rail Enquiries
tel. 0845 748 4950.