Ash

Ash was opened by the Reading, Guildford and Reigate Railway, then operated by the South Eastern Railway, and became part of the Southern Railway.

The area around Ash is rich in open heathland including Ash Common.  There are places to visit including a number of historic buildings, the 16th/17th century Hartshorn, Ash Manor, Lavender Cottage, Tudor House, Azor Place and Merryworth. St. Peter’s church virtually rebuilt in 1865 still retains Norman, 11th, 13th and 15th century areas of interest including the tiny Norman window in the north aisle.

One of the most pleasant leisure features of Ash is the recently restored Basingstoke Canal (1794) which meanders through the parish on its way from Basingstoke to join the River Wey Navigation near Byfleet, Surrey, linking it with the inland water network. The Canal passes just to the north of the station.