Van Hire Ashford

Ashford, Kent combines excellent transport links, shopping, dining and diverse amenities, making it an ideal hub for both visitors and residents.

Getting Around Ashford

Ashford is exceptionally well-connected, with a network of major roads making navigation straightforward. The M20 motorway, a key arterial route, ensures easy access to and from the town, linking Ashford directly to London and the Channel Tunnel. The A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road plays a significant role in connecting the town to nearby locations. Its stretch, including Kennington Road and Willesborough Road, is ideal for those travelling south or towards scenic destinations. From here, exploring areas such as Tenterden becomes an easy and scenic drive.

The A251 Faversham Road serves as a crucial link for travellers heading towards Hythe or other neighbouring towns. The route, which includes Trinity Road, provides smooth and direct access.

Ashford also benefits from the A2042 Bad Munstereifel Road, incorporating Ave Jacques Faucheux, Beaver Road and Somerset Road. This route enhances accessibility within the town, offering seamless connections to Faversham Road and other main roads. The A28 Great Chart Bypass is another notable road that intersects Ashford. Stretching across Canterbury Road, Simone Weil Avenue and Templer Way, it provides direct links to surrounding regions. Finally, local streets like Newtown Road, Victoria Road, Leacon Road, Norfolk Drive and Brookfield Road ensure a well-integrated infrastructure.

Van Parking Options

Vicarage Lane Car Park is a 24/7 facility, offering flexible parking for those needing reliable access at any time. The Edinburgh Road Car Park provides extended weekday hours from 6 AM to 8:30 PM, with slightly shorter hours on weekends, closing at 7:30 PM. Located on Edinburgh Road, it offers easy access to local shops, cafes and other amenities in the town centre. Car Park F Ashford International Station on Elwick Road is an excellent option, offering 24/7 parking close to the station. Similarly, Car Park A Ashford International Station, situated on Station Approach, provides round-the-clock parking.

For shopping or short stays, the NCP Ashford County Square Car Park on Apsley Street operates Monday to Saturday from 7 AM to 7 PM, with slightly reduced hours on Sundays from 9 AM to 6 PM. It’s a popular choice for those visiting the nearby shopping area. The Park Mall Car Park, also on Edinburgh Road, serves visitors daily from 6 AM to 7:30 PM. For extended visits, the Civic Centre and Stour Centre Car Park offer 24/7 access at 53 Station Road, providing reliable parking for both locals and tourists. Similarly, Ashford International Multi-Storey Car Park offers ample space for long-term parking near key transport hubs.

Petrol Stations And Vehicle Services

BP operates three 24/7 petrol stations in Ashford: Beaver Road, Brookfield Road and Hythe Road, all offering fuel, cashpoints and car washes. Esso has two locations: Hythe Road (6 AM-11 PM daily) and Maidstone Road (24/7), both providing fuel and basic convenience items.

Tesco has stations at Moatfield Meadow, Kingsnorth (Mon-Sat 6 AM-10 PM, reduced Sunday hours) and Hythe Road, Willesborough (24/7), featuring fuel, ATMs and air/water stations. Applegreen on North Street offers fuel, car wash, food options and a motorway service area (Mon-Sat 6 AM-10 PM, Sun 7 AM-10 PM). Sainsbury’s on Simone Weil Avenue operates Mon-Sat 6 AM-11 PM and Sun 7 AM-10 PM, providing fuel, convenience shopping and air/water facilities. Shell on Brookfield Road is open 24/7 with fuel, car washes, convenience store, coffee station and refreshments.

Several garages provide comprehensive repair services: Ashford MOT Centre Ltd on Brunswick Road offers MOTs, repairs and tyre services; Formula One Autocentre on Hilton Road specializes in MOTs and tire fitting; D&D Autos Ltd on Orbital Park and M C Motors Limited on Ellingham Way both provide full mechanical services and MOTs. RKH Service & Repair on Canterbury Road offers general repairs and diagnostics. A.S.H. Garage Services on Hanover Close, convenient for those heading to Faversham, provides complete mechanical services, while Kentautoworks on St Stephen’s Walk offers 24/7 mechanical support and emergency repairs.

For car washing services, Diamond Glow on Dover Place (Mon-Sat 9 AM-6 PM, Sun 9 AM-4 PM) offers full valeting services. Auto Shine in Kennington, Bubbles1 on Brunswick Road and Crystal Hand Car Wash on Victoria Road all provide interior and exterior cleaning services. Waves Hand Car Wash in Kingsnorth offers comprehensive valeting, while Applegreen Service Station on North Street provides convenient jet wash facilities, particularly useful for travellers heading to Folkestone.

Hardware Stores, Garden Centres And Storage Facilities

B&Q Ashford on Norman Road, the busiest hardware store in town, operates Monday to Saturday 7 AM-8 PM and Sundays 10 AM-4 PM with a comprehensive garden centre and knowledgeable staff. Otford Builders Merchants Ltd on South Stour Avenue, popular with travellers heading to Lydd or Sittingbourne, specialises in timber, tools and building materials, operating weekdays 7:30 AM-5 PM and Saturdays until noon.

Wickes Ashford on Foster Road provides affordable bathroom supplies and landscaping materials (Mon-Sat 7 AM-8 PM, Sun 10 AM-4 PM). The area also features Jewson Ashford Ellingham Way for timber supplies, FFX Ashford on Brunswick Road for tools and plumbing, two Screwfix locations on Chart Road and Willesborough for electrical supplies and TradePoint Ashford on Norman Road. Thanet Tool Supplies and Fixings Warehouse, both on Monument Way, offer safety equipment and professional supplies, while Sam’s Ironmongery at Ellingham Industrial Centre is known for excellent service.

Longacres Garden Centre Bybrook Barn on Cemetery Lane features an aquarium shop, florist, pet store and cafe (Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-5:30 PM, Thu until 8 PM, Sun 10:30 AM-4:30 PM). Harringe Plants on Main Road in Sellindge (Mon-Sat 9 AM-5 PM, Sun 10 AM-4 PM) draws visitors from Canterbury and Maidstone. Dobbies Garden Centre in Eureka Leisure Park offers a nursery and restaurant, while The Range on Fougeres Way and Discount Home And Garden Shop on Moat Way provide diverse garden supplies.

For storage solutions, Kent Space Ashford on Wotton Road operates Monday to Saturday 8 AM-6 PM with limited Saturday hours. Blue Barn Storage on Goldwell Lane offers 24/7 access and quick deposit returns. Ashford Self Storage on Brunswick Road provides various unit sizes seven days a week, while Great Chart Storage Ltd on Chilmington Green Road is known for clean facilities. Orbital Self Storage on Monument Way, Kingsnorth Self Storage Limited on Cowells Yard (24/7) and Shurgard Self Storage on Wotton Road round out the storage options.

Drive-Thru And Restaurants

Ashford is home to three KFC locations, each catering to lovers of fried chicken with efficient service and a range of menu options. The KFC at Eureka Leisure Park on Trinity Road operates daily from 11 AM to midnight. The Beaver Road KFC runs from 11 AM to 10 PM daily, while the High Street branch offers slightly reduced hours, closing at 9 PM on weekdays and Sundays and at 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Similarly, the McDonald’s outlets in Ashford are popular for their quick service and well-maintained drive-thrus. The location at Orbital Park operates 24/7, praised for its cleanliness and friendly staff. The Eureka Leisure Park McDonald’s also offers 24/7 service, making it ideal for late-night diners. The High Street branch, however, runs from 6:30 AM to 11 PM daily, making it a convenient choice for breakfast enthusiasts. For those craving flame-grilled options, Burger King has two locations in Ashford. The Eureka Leisure Park branch on Trinity Road is open every day from 9 AM to 11 PM, while the County Square location operates Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Sundays until 4:30 PM.

Ashford’s dining options aren’t limited to fast food. Wonder Coffee, located on the High Street, provides a cosy setting for coffee lovers- open Monday to Saturday from 8 AM to 4 PM and Sundays from 8 AM to 3 PM.

For something unique, Khaja Station on Elwick Road serves an eclectic mix of dishes, including their famous crunchy corn dog and cheesecake. Operating every day from 12 PM to 9 PM, it’s a local favourite for those looking to try something different.