Ashford: Best Placed in Britain for 2012

Ashford

Best Placed for 2012 Training camps

ASHFORD

BOROUGH COUNCIL

Map Key

Map Key

Olympic Park

High Speed Rail Link

London

A20

• 30 minutes to Olympic Park (Stratford) • 37 minutes to London • 2 hours to Paris

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Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

contents

Foreword

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Training camps

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Julie Rose Stadium The Stour Centre Chilham Park Great Chart Golf and Leisure

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Paralympics training camps

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Where to Stay in Ashford

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Sports and Leisure

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Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

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Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

Foreword Ashford

Best placed in Britain Whether you are looking to train, stay or visit, Ashford really is ‘best placed in Britain’.

In the heart of Kent, Ashford is a town with outstanding transport connections to London and Europe, excellent sports facilities, beautiful countryside, extensive accommodation options and exciting leisure opportunities.

Ashford is an ideal base for a training camp, as it benefits from excellent training facilities, incredible fast access to London, the Olympic Park and even Europe and a wide choice of accommodation and leisure facilities without sky-high prices.

In addition to being perfectly placed for the London games, Ashford has a number of approved training grounds for the 2012 Olympics, with facilities suitable for: • Athletics • Equestrian • Paralympics • Beach volleyball With hotels to suit all budgets, unbeatable transport links, excellent training venues and a plenty to see and do, Ashford really is the smart choice for your training needs.

Noted Olympians from Ashford include Gold medallist Jamie Staff (Men’s team sprint cycling, 2008) and middle distance athlete Lisa Dobriskey (1500m world 4th, 2008).

Staying in Ashford means you are: • 37mins from London and 30mins from Stratford International and the Olympic Park on high speed trains • 2hrs from Paris, 90mins from Brussels, 57mins from Lille on Eurostar trains • 20minutes from the seaside • 5mins from open countryside and woodland walks

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

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2012 training camps

Julie Rose Stadium

R Athletics

www.ashfordleisuretrust.co.uk Nestling beneath the beautiful North Downs, with stunning views along the Stour Valley and across Conningbrook Lakes, the Julie Rose Stadium makes a dramatic backdrop for a variety of events.

2008 Olympian Lisa Dobriskey honed her skills on the Julie Rose track as a member of Ashford Athletics Club.

The stadium was opened by Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson in 1997 and is now regarded as one of the finest athletics facilities in the country.

• Long jump, high jump, pole vault, hurdles

Built by Ashford Borough Council, the Julie Rose has hosted international athletics meetings and been visited by sporting luminaries including Olympic medal winners Colin Jackson, Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Steve Redgrave.

• Indoor netted throws cage

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Facilities include: • 400m all weather running track (international standard)

• Hammer, discus and shot put • Indoor training area including 60m sprint track and long jump • MUGA (Multi use games area) • Floodlighting • Enclosed all weather area for 5-a-side football, netball and basketball • Contours Fitness Studio

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

The Julie Rose Stadium. Willesborough Road, Kennington, Ashford, Kent, TN24 9QX. Tel: 01233 613131 Contact: Emma Wood, Chief Executive - Ashford Leisure Trust 01233 667123 • emma.wood@ashfordleisuretrust.co.uk

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

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Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

The Stour Centre www.ashfordleisuretrust.co.uk The Stour Centre offers excellent facilities and equipment for a range of sports and leisure activities under on roof in the heart of Ashford town centre.

This outstanding leisure centre provides a comprehensive range of recreational and leisure services, in a prime position next door to the town’s international train station. The 8 court main hall is suitable for badminton, basketball, fencing, and handball, while the 25 metre swimming pool is ideal for training.

R Badminton R Basketball R Fencing R Handball Facilities include: • 8 court main hall • River Studio – exercise and dance classes • 25 metre swimming pool • Leisure pool with 2 flumes • Contours Health Club with Technogym equipment and Wellness system • Health Suite with sauna, steam and Jacuzzi

The centre recently underwent major remodelling work to expand its facilities, and now boasts a new leisure water area and health club with spa facilities.

The Stour Leisure Centre, Station Approach, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1ET. Tel: 01233 663503 Contact: Emma Wood, Chief Executive - Ashford Leisure Trust 01233 667123 • emma.wood@ashfordleisuretrust.co.uk

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

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Chilham Park

R Equestrian

www.chilhampark.co.uk Set in the grounds of Chilham Castle, Chilham Park has been established as a top cross country venue since 2004.

Set in over 300 acres of 18th century traditional parkland, the park was purpose built by Scott Brickell, whose credits include working at Burghley.

There are more than 100 fences in the park which range from 2’6” – ideal for encouraging young horses and novice riders - through to professionally built British Eventing fences for the more experienced.

The course is available throughout the year for hire and is ideal for the competitive rider or for the leisure rider enjoying 300 acres of beautiful scenery.

Chilham Park has organised a series of Day Workshops with Olympians William Fox Pitt and Jane HoldernessRoddam, and the cross country course was chosen by the East Kent Hunt Pony Club to run their One Day Events and Triathlon.

As well as hosting equestrian events, Chilham Castle Gardens are open to the public on a regular basis during the summer.

Facilities include: • Cross Country Course • 30 x 50m soft track arena, complete with show jumps • Stabling with spacious loose boxes • On site instruction from qualified BHS II (SM) Instructor • Grooming services and special feed

Contact: Chilham Park, Chilham, Nr Canterbury, Kent, CT4 8DB. Tel: 01227 730811 • info@chilhampark.com

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Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

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Great Chart Golf and Leisure

R Beach Volleyball

www.shoottheboss.co.uk This golf and leisure club serves both as an official Olympic training venue, and fantastic place for your team to enjoy during their downtime!

The club offers the only inland floodlit beach volleyball and soccer training ground in the country, along with a host of other fun activities that are ideal for relaxing or for helping build team spirit.

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Activities include: • Beach Volleyball and soccer • Golf • Paintball • Archery • Zorbing

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

Contact: Great Chart Golf and Leisure, Bears Lane, Great Chart, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3BW Tel: 01233 645858 • info@shoottheboss.co.uk

Paralympic training camps Ashford prides itself in its commitment to supporting disabled people in sports, and has a range of facilities and clubs suitable for disabled training.

The Stour Leisure Centre has a number of clubs and facilities in addition to its spa and swimming pools, Including: • Boccia • 5-a-side Football • Goalball • Table Tennis • Sitting Volleyball • Wheelchair Basketball • Wheelchair Fencing • Wheelchair Rugby

For more information about Ashford’s Paralympics facilities, contact: Simon Harris, Sports Development Officer.

Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1PL. Tel: 01233 330232 • simon.harris@ashford.gov.uk

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Where to stay in ashford If you choose to base your team in Ashford, you will have a wide choice of accommodation options, with excellent leisure facilities and transport links at your disposal.

Accommodation Eastwell Manor www.eastwellmanor.co.uk A country hotel five minutes from the centre of Ashford offering luxurious accommodation in both its manor house or in cottages, full spa and gym, and a nine hole golf course.

Ashford International Hotel www.qhotels.co.uk A large hotel in prime position close to both M20 motorway and town centre, with 179 bedrooms, full spa and gym, and extensive conference facilities.

Holiday Inn www.holidayinn.co.uk Ashford has a choice of two Holiday Inn hotels – Central or North – giving you the choice of being close to town or more secluded in the countryside. Both hotels have many bedrooms, business services and access to fitness facilities.

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Premier Inn Travelodge www.travelodge.co.uk www.premierinn.co.uk Two good quality budget hotels, both situated within Ashford’s Eureka Leisure Park, which has a wide choice of restaurants, a large health and fitness club, and multiplex cinema on site.

The Conningbrook www.conningbrookashford.co.uk A large, popular bed and breakfast venue with 27 en-suite bedrooms, restaurant, bar and gardens, with conference facilities for up to 70 delegates.

The Boys Hall Hotel www.boyshall.co.uk A 17th Century manor house in the heart of Ashford offering luxury accommodation and conference facilities.

The Croft Hotel www.thecroft.biz An independent hotel offering 14 ensuite guest rooms close to the town centre, with an Italian restaurant on site and regular in-house entertainment.

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

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Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

Sports and Leisure Ashford has a wide choice of leisure facilities, whether you want to do a little extra training or to simply unwind.

Ashford is just 37 minutes away from the centre of London on high speed rail, allowing you to experience the sights and sounds of the capital whenever you wish. You can even jump on a Eurostar train at Ashford International train station and be in Paris in just 2 hours.

The town is also surrounded by stunning countryside and areas of outstanding natural beauty, with picturesque villages to explore and excellent sightseeing opportunities further afield.

Here are some of the sites in the area: • Eureka Leisure Park – includes a multiplex cinema, fast food outlets, and Bannatynes health club and spa • Courtside – a multi-sports centre with tennis courts and an artificial football pitch in Stanhope • Ashford Boxing Club – purpose built facility with a ring, training facilities in South Ashford • AMF Bowling – ten pin bowling centre in the town centre • County Square Shopping Centre – numerous high quality high street and independent stores

Ashford Olympic Training Camps - Best placed in Britain

• Ashford Designer Outlet – discount designer clothes and goods • Great Chart Golf and Leisure – golf, paintball, archery, beach volleyball • Chart Hills Golf Club – an 18 hole golf course designed by Nick Faldo • Chapel Down and Biddenden vineyards – two award-winning wine and cider works 15mins from Ashford town centre • King’s Woods, Challock – beautiful woodland walks and public art installations • Rare Breeds centre – family friendly animal centre • Singleton Environment Centre – high quality café and tourist spot focusing on environmental education Further afield • Canterbury Cathedral • Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury • Folkestone seafront • Dover Castle • Dover ferry port (for day trips to France) • Port Lympne wild animal park • Leeds Castle • Paris, Brussels and Lille by Eurostar trains

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• 30 minutes to Stratford by train • 37 minutes to London by train • 2 hours to Paris

If you need any further assistance in choosing the right base for your team in Ashford, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated sports development team.

Simon Harris, Sports Development Officer Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1PL Tel: 01233 330232 • simon.harris@ashford.gov.uk