Retail and Business Parks, Ashford, Kent

Virtually every major Retailer now available

Like many towns across the UK, out of town shopping has become very popular with major Retail Chains.
In the case of Ashford, to go shopping in the Town Centre means navigating the over busy ring road, finding a Car Park which has spaces, then shopping around crowded streets often littered by the expanding fast food marketplace!

Ashford has one huge advantage over other towns. It hosts the Designer Outlet (next to Ashford
International Railway Station see map) where you can shop for most products except food at vastly discounted prices.
I would suggest shopping during the week, weekends are a nightmare as far as both parking and a relaxed shopping atmosphere goes.
All the Designer Label clothes are available, Marks and Spencers have a Clothing Outlet and there are many Sportswear, Houseware and Soft Furnishing Stores to choose from.
The usual fast food restaurants are on site for a quick snack, plus the Coffee Shops.

Right next door to the Retail Outlet, you have an Asda Store. Just a stones throw away on the other side of the A2042 are B&Q, Currys and Halfords.
About a mile further South you'll find Ashford's second Tesco Store, on the Park Farm estate.

To the east of town and on the Ashford Orbital Road, the Ashford Business Park is the oldest of the town's purpose built 'Retail Bunkers'!
Living here are Homebase, Wickes, PC World, Argos, Boots and a Carpet Warehouse.Map here

Close by are all the usual Car Showrooms and the famous Ashford Market (Hobbs and Parkers) where there is a huge Sunday Boot Fair, Car Auctions, Livestock Sales and general auctions.

Again to the east of town, another Tesco is just off Junction 10 of the M25 on the A20 here.

To the north, you have a large Sainsburys, Staples and MFI close to Ashford International Hotel. Map here

Another major benefit is that Ashford is only a 20 minute drive to Dover. A £20 Car Return for the day will enable you to pop across to Calais and save pounds on certain product shopping.
See'A Day Trip to France'.

Just miles away from more traditional shopping

If you are thinking about moving to the Ashford area, you are spoilt for shopping choice without a doubt.

The only thing is, a car comes in useful!

Ashford McArthur Designer Outlet from the air. Impressive, but wish it had a roof in Winter!!

Other places to shop near Ashford...
Tenterden (14 miles west) has many Antique shops. Folkestone and Dover offer the usual Shopping Centres but not as good as Ashford.
Canterbury (14 miles North east) has many .nice shops' and good for a day out as well. Maidstone has good shops, but a very busy town.
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You can of course - go to France or Belgium

Bruge - only a 60 minute drive from Calais

Ashford in Kent

The surrounding Area

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When driving to Ashford, listen out on BBC Radio Kent - Operation Stack could be in progress and will divert you.
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