Ashford, Kent

[[St Mary's Parish Church, Ashford|St Mary's Parish Church]] has been a local landmark since the 13th century, and expanded in the 15th. Today, the church functions in a dual role as a centre for worship and entertainment.

[[St Mary's Parish Church, Ashford|St Mary's Parish Church]] has been a local landmark since the 13th century, and expanded in the 15th. Today, the church functions in a dual role as a centre for worship and entertainment.

The arrival of the railways from the mid 19th century onwards, created a significant source of employment contributing to the town's growth as a rail hub at the centre of five distinct railway lines. The high speed rail line ([[High Speed 1|HS1 High Speed 1]]) between London and the [[Channel Tunnel]] passes through Ashford's [[Ashford International railway station|International Railway Station]] thus linking the town to Paris and other European destinations. The [[M20 motorway (England)|M20 motorway]] connects Ashford to the [[Channel Tunnel]], the national motorway network (via the [[M25 motorway|M25 Motorway]]) and to London (via the [[A20 road (England)|A20]]).

The arrival of the railways from the mid-19th century onwards, created a significant source of employment contributing to the town's growth as a rail hub at the centre of five distinct railway lines. The high speed rail line ([[High Speed 1|HS1 High Speed 1]]) between London and the [[Channel Tunnel]] passes through Ashford's [[Ashford International railway station|International Railway Station]] thus linking the town to Paris and other European destinations. The [[M20 motorway (England)|M20 motorway]] connects Ashford to the [[Channel Tunnel]], the national motorway network (via the [[M25 motorway|M25 Motorway]]) and to London (via the [[A20 road (England)|A20]]).

Ashford has been marked out for growth in several Government plans from the 1960s onwards. In the 1970s, the construction of a controversial four lane ring road together with the multi-storey Charter House building led to the destruction of significant parts of the old town although some areas were spared and preserved. Other changes in the last 40 years include the construction of the County Square shopping centre, the redevelopment of the Templer Barracks at Repton Park, the [[Finberry]] estate to the southeast, and the award-winning [[Ashford Designer Outlet]].

Ashford has been marked out for growth in several Government plans from the 1960s onwards. In the 1970s, the construction of a controversial four lane ring road together with the multi-storey Charter House building led to the destruction of significant parts of the old town although some areas were spared and preserved. Other changes in the last 40 years include the construction of the County Square shopping centre, the redevelopment of the Templer Barracks at Repton Park, the [[Finberry]] estate to the southeast, and the award-winning [[Ashford Designer Outlet]].