Active Ashford

Activities in Ashford

There are a range of clubs, organisations and instructors in the area. These can be discovered on the Active Kent & Medway website.

Active Kent & Medway also run the campaign Everyday Active. Everyday Active acts as the central hub that highlights a wide range of inclusive and accessible opportunities available across Kent. It has information and resources for anyone looking to incorporate more physical activity into their daily lives, from easy walks in our beautiful parks to engaging community classes and sports.

Find out more information about cycling and walking around the borough

The Stour Centre

The Stour Centre situated near Ashford International train station is managed by Freedom Leisure Trust on behalf of Ashford Borough Council. The Stour Centre reopened in 2021 after a £7.5m investment which included a refurbished gym with new equipment, a new multi-level soft play and clip and climb centre, an additional exercise studio, improved changing rooms, revamped reception and café area and a new catering offer including Costa Coffee. The Stour Centre is home to a 25m pool, leisure pool with flumes and learner pool, spin studio, squash and badminton courts. Freedom Leisure offer many different memberships and one off visit rates, which you can find more about on the Stour Centre website.

Julie Rose Stadium

The Julie Rose Stadium built in 1997 situated near the North Downs and Conningbrook Lakes is managed by Freedom Leisure Trust on behalf of Ashford Borough Council. The venue boasts a new athletics track, running chute and indoor throwing cage, reopened in 2023, as well as an expanded gym and exercise studio, reopened in 2022, following a £1m investment. The stadium is regarded as one of the finest athletic facilities in the south-east and the recent improvements have made it one of the best in the country. It is home to Ashford Athletics Club, who use the track for regular training, events and competitions throughout the year. The stadium also holds an all-weather MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) which is available for private, club or commercial hire for netball, tennis, basket ball and 5-a-side football on an hourly basis. Freedom Leisure offer many different memberships and one off visit rates, which you can find more about on the Julie Rose Stadium website.

Spearpoint Pavilion (The Ridge)

Spearpoint Pavilion (The Ridge) situated in Ashford, Kennington, is managed by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Ashford Borough Council. It holds a large multipurpose space and five grass non-lit football pitches available for hire. It also boasts two full, outdoor, non-lit tarmac tennis courts which are managed with support from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and free to access throughout the year. You can find more details on hiring costs and how to book these facilities on the Spearpoint Pavilion website.

Tenterden Leisure Centre

Tenterden Leisure Centre is managed by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Ashford Borough Council. The centre holds a newly opened leisure pool including flumes, wave machine and bubble pool and lane swimming. It also has a fully equipped fitness gym, exercise studio, sports hall and courts and a creche. Freedom Leisure offer many different memberships and one off visit rates, which you can find more about on the Tenterden Leisure Centre website.

Courtside and The John Wallis Academy Community Football Pitch (formally known as Pitchside)

View the video below to see the facilities available at Courtside and The John Wallis Academy Community Football Pitch (formally known as Pitchside). The facilities are now looked after and run by The John Wallis Academy, you can find our full statement on our website and you can book the facilities or get in contact with The John Wallis Academy directly by emailing bookings@edu-lettings.org

You can also view the sporting facilities available in South Willesborough.

Access to leisure facilities for talented sports people

FACS and FANS memberships are available subject to eligibility and conditions [doc] 28KB. To apply for membership, please complete our online FACS Membership Application Form.

Kent Sport offers advice, support on all matters related to sport in the county of Kent.

Strategic Documents

In order to ensure there is a good supply of high quality playing pitches, playing fields and indoor sports facilities in a local authority area to meet the sporting needs of local communities, Sport England recommends all local authority areas should have up-to-date Playing Pitch and Indoor Sports Facility Strategies. By providing valuable evidence the strategies can be of significant benefit to a wide variety of stakeholders and communities.

As statutory consultees on planning applications with the potential to affect playing pitches and as a central point of contact for funding streams and guidance on best practice, it is important that together with input from local communities, these documents comply with guidance provided by Sport England.

Ashford Borough Council began work in 2015 with Max Associates to produce an up to date strategies which provide a clear, strategic framework for the maintenance and improvement of the existing playing pitches and ancillary facilities and indoor sport facilities in the borough. For more information and for bookings of both Courtside and The John Wallis Academy Community Football Pitch please contact The John Wallis Academy at bookings@edu-lettings.org