Leisure and Culture

Ashford is a thriving town where 85% of residents value the quality of life that living in the heart of the Kent countryside brings.

There is a vibrant arts community in the town, with music events, festivals, exhbitions and concerts taking place throughout the year. The Ashford School of Art and Design and local arts, music and drama groups all contribute to make the town a fantastic place to relax and have fun day or night out.

The historic St Mary's Church in Ashford town centre hosts an exciting programme of art and music each year, and is being sensitvely expanded to accommodate larger audiences and bigger name acts for summer 2011.

Local attractions include:

• Ashford Designer Outlet Centre already attracts over 3 million visitors a year.
• County Square shopping centre has doubled its original size, and now offers over 60 stores including Debenhams, H&M, Next, Jane Norman and HMV.
• The Stour Leisure Centre has undergone a multi-million redevelopment and provides the community with a superb sports centre, gym and leisure pool facilities.
• The Julie Rose Stadium is an international standard athletics stadium.
• Ashford has Kent’s largest combined cinema and leisure complex at the Eureka Leisure Park
• The stunning King's Woods at Challock offer beautiful walks through the Kentish countryside, and also host amazing outdoor installations by Stour Valley Arts.
• 18 hole Chart Hills Golf Club, which plays host to the English Ladies Open and was designed by Nick Faldo.
• In surrounding villages discover boutiques, Kentish tea rooms and traditional inns, plus the multi award-winning Chapel Down Wines vineyards in Tenterden and Biddenden Vineyard and Cider Works
• Animal lovers can explore the charming Rare Breeds Centre in Woodchurch, which has numerous rare breeds and family activities, and or visit the collection of big cats at the  Wildlife Hertiage Foundation in Smarden. 
• Ashford hosts numerous carnivals and open air performances, including the one day free music festival Create in Victoria Park, which attracts more than 5,000 people every year.