Ashton has plenty to offer shoppers. The Victoria Market Hall, built in 1867 sports the largest indoor and outdoor market in all of Tameside, both of which are immensely popular, especially on Saturday, when the stalls are hidden behind the masses of people taking advantage of the many bargains available. 

The high street shopper will be perfectly content also, in the precinct or the newly built Arcades Shopping Centre, which has two floors of brand name shops. There is a prominant statue on the ground floor portraying a knight on horseback.

This comemmorates Sir Ralph de Assheton, the Black Knight one of the favourites of King Richard III.

Parks/monuments

	Stamford Park is definitely worth a visit.  There is entertainment for children of all ages, woodland walks and a boating lake, as well as the more traditional flower gardens and conservatory.  The park is also a popular venue for outside events such as the annual Tulip Sunday.
	St. Michael and All Angels parish church is a magnificent building which was entered in the Domesday Book.  The church is a Grade One listed building.  It has parish registers dating back to 1594 and the views from the tower are excellent, including St. Michael's Square, the site of the original market. Also nearby are the Memorial Gardens with the main Cenotaph.
	On the hills behind Ashton is Hartshead Pike, which overlooks several counties from it's hill top position and can be seen from quite a distance away.
	To the north of Ashton sits Park Bridge which is also a popular picnic area, having it's own gardens and some areas of beautiful countryside.  The visitor centre is a lively place with temporary exhibitions as well as permanent features.  The centre displays information about the surrounding area and the animals and plants that inhabit it and is also one of the prominent meeting places for the various activities staged by the Tameside Countryside Wardens.
	Portland Basin,  the coming together of three canals is a popular area for family based activities, such as picnics and short walks.There is a permanent museum based in the rebuilt Ashton Canal Warehouse, displaying aspects of Tameside's history, and a nearby Heritage Trail.
	Daisy Nook Country Park is best known for its annual spring fair, but it too has something to offer due to its range of habitats.  These include  woodland, a canal and river and open countryside, making the area perfect getting close to nature, whether your interest be fishing, bird watching or simply ambling about.

Museums and Art Galleries

The Town Hall in Ashton hosts various events, including coffee mornings and jumble sales, but it is mostly devoted to housing the "Museum of the Manchesters", an exhibition about the Manchester Regiment, calling upon effects dealing with each of the senses. There is also a display of the Civic Regalia of the nine towns that make up the Borough of Tameside including the Mayoral robes and Chain of Office.

Manchester is famous for it's varied culture, Ashton, although it is far smaller, has much to offer.  Above the library, is the Central Art Gallery, where local, talented artists display their work, which are not always straight forward paintings. Tameside's Theatre, the Tameside Hippodrome, has a full calendar all the year round with entertainment, from world famous ballet dancers, to local operatic society dramas, while  Tameside College's Courtyard Theatre, hosts smaller scale dramas.  If music is more to your taste then the Witchwood is a venue for many up and coming young bands of different styles, while the Broadoak Hotel is dedicated to jazz.  The night life in Ashton revolves around the many pubs and the clubs.  These are all within walking distance of one another and there are many drinks offers, making a night out in Ashton well worth a visit.

General facilities

In today's world, keeping fit is considered important by many people.  Ashton has several gyms and fitness centres.  There is an indoor swimming pool combined with a gym, and a centre just for ladies, but there are also more challenging activities such as horse riding or ballet, tap and modern dancing classes.

The food available in Ashton is as varied as everything else.  There is something for everyone no matter what the time of day.  Fast food and coffee shops or cafes offer pastries and cakes as well as full meals and many pubs make meals such as traditional Sunday lunches.  For special occasions there are English, Chinese, Italian and Indian restaurants.

As you can see, Ashton has both an interesting history and a diverse culture to this date.  As the central town of Tameside, Ashton is essential to its community and a full day out for visitors.  Take advantage of what it has to offer you.