Nearby Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald, is an appealing town with a tree-lined green and a wealth of independent shops and architectural rarities. Steam along on the Kent & East Sussex Railway, head for 16th-century Smallhythe Place, or make for delightful and photogenic Stocks Windmill.
Nearby book in for an exclusive experience among 40 big cats at the Big Cat Sanctuary or, for a hands on animal experience, visit the beautiful 100 acre farm at the Rare Breeds Centre. Train enthusiasts head for the Ashford Borough Museum, where visitors can explore Ashford's fascinating railway heritage and history. There’s also a pop-up model railway exhibition in the town.
Timeless villages are everywhere, all with a delightful scattering of welcoming B&B’s. Walkers love historic Wye, home to the New Flying Horse inn. Fifteenth-century Chilham often doubles as a movie set. Pluckley is quintessential Kent: ITV's The Darling Buds of May was filmed here; it also offers a feast of local produce at Elvey Farm. Rolvenden is home to Lutyens-designed Great Maytham Hall. Biddenden features gorgeous Kentish half-timbered buildings and take a tour at Biddenden Vineyards, while you're there.
Hike it off on stunning trails: the North Downs Way, Pilgrims Way, Greensand Way and Saxon Shore Way wind beside landscapes that are packed with Kentish apples, pears and cherries, peppered with nature reserves (the SSSIs of Hothfield Heathlands and Orlestone Forest), and dotted with ancient woodland - such as Henry VIII's old hunting ground, Kings Wood at Challock.
For more information, head to https://www.visitashfordandtenterden.co.uk