Tenterden news
Tenterden news, newest first, from The Ashford Times: planning, roads, schools, business and what's on in Tenterden, with every story linked to its source.
Top story
Ashford Parking Charges Frozen Until 2028 by Full Council
Every Ashford and Tenterden parking charge is frozen until 2028, so on-street stays £1.30 an hour, not £2. Councillors scrapped the February rises on 15 October.
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Christmas
Santa's Grotto Ashford 2026: Dobbies Opens 22 Nov, £15
Dobbies Ashford's grotto opens Sunday 22 November at £15 to £17 a child. The Rare Breeds Centre runs from 28 November at £29; Santa trains from £100 a table.
Tenterden
Tenterden Parking Petition Debated as Charges Freeze to 2028
Tenterden's 1,644-signature petition was debated on 15 October as councillors froze parking charges until 2028 and made Bridewell Lane free after 3pm.
Food hygiene
Ashford Food Hygiene: All 24 September Inspections Scored 5
All 24 September food hygiene ratings in Ashford borough are 5s, and 89.4% of rated premises hold a 5, second in Kent. Two Tenterden-area places got a 2.
Tenterden
Tenterden Leisure Centre's £2.6m Refurb Is Finished: What's New
Tenterden Leisure Centre's £2.6m refurb is complete: new PlayZone soft play from £4.50 and pool water play. Prices, rules and half-term sessions inside.
Community
Ashford Hero Awards 2027: Nominate by 2 December
Nominations for the Ashford Hero Awards 2027 close on 2 December. There are 14 awards, and winners are named at the Stour Centre on Friday 15 January.
Parking
Ashford Parking: Charges Frozen to 2028, No February Rise
Full Council froze every Ashford and Tenterden parking charge until 2028 on 15 October, so the 8% February rise is off and on-street parking stays £1.30 an hour.
Tenterden
Tenterden Steam Gala: 7 and 8 November, Tickets From £18.50
Southern Through the Ages runs 7 and 8 November from Tenterden Town station. Day tickets are £35 for adults and £18.50 for children, with trains from 10am.
Half Term
October Half Term in Ashford: Two Weeks, Ten Days Out
Kent's half term is 26 to 30 October, but four big Ashford secondaries are off from 19 October. What's on in both weeks: farm Halloween, steam trains, music.
Remembrance
Ashford Remembrance Sunday: 8 November, Silence at 11am
Remembrance Sunday is 8 November 2026. Last year Ashford's parade formed at 10.50am in the Memorial Gardens and Tenterden's left at 10.30am, with the A28 shut.
Planning
Ashford Housing Land Supply Falls to 3.16 Years
Ashford built 75% of the homes it needed over three years, so its land supply is now 3.16 years. Wednesday: 15 homes at St Michaels, Tenterden, go to committee.
Tenterden
Tenterden Christmas Market 2026: 19-22 Nov, Open to 7pm
Tenterden Christmas Market runs 19 to 22 November and now stays open to 7pm Thursday to Saturday, the town council says. Four days, down from ten last year.
Tenterden
Tenterden Santa Specials 2026: Cheap Tables Selling Out
Tenterden Santa trains run on ten dates from 29 November. Bronze tables for two are sold out on 29 Nov and 24 Dec and down to the last few on every other date.
Tenterden
Tenterden Greenway Gets £150,000 Resurfacing From October
Tenterden's only cycle route gets 650 metres of new surface from October, funded by the Active Travel Fund. It will be shut for about four weeks.
Business
Heritage Live promoter GCE Live enters administration
Administrators were appointed to the Tenterden festival promoter on 27 July, weeks after its Heritage Live concerts were cancelled. How to get a refund.
Schools
Ashford School Term Dates 2026/27: Half Term Splits
Kent's October half term is 26 to 30 October, but seven Ashford schools break up earlier, five on Friday 16 October. Nine school calendars compared.