Ashford Through Time

Ashford's earliest settlers lived by a ford which crossed the river Stour in a clearing of ash trees. Over many centuries the urban area grew into a small market town serving both its local residents and nearby farming communities. By early Victorian times, the local economy took off with the coming of a railway line linking London to Dover. Of even more critical importance was the establishment of a large works producing locomotives and rolling stock for this booming industry.Housing expanded i