Ashford Bowdler on the map

Location in ShropshireAshford Bowdler sits where the marker shows within the county.

17,963
Population
8,560
Households
5 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
10
Schools nearby
£44,149
Avg. household income
1,065
Businesses
74
People per km²
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About Ashford Bowdler

Ashford Bowdler is a small village located in Shropshire, England, within the SY8 postcode area. It lies near the border with Wales, close to the River Severn, and is situated between the towns of Ludlow and Craven Arms. The village is primarily residential, with a mix of traditional and modern homes, and is known for its rural setting and peaceful surroundings. The nearby Ashford Bowdler railway station, though no longer in regular service, adds to the area’s historical interest. The village is part of the civil parish of Ashford Bowdler and is surrounded by farmland and woodland, offering a quiet countryside lifestyle. It is well-connected to nearby towns and has easy access to the wider Shropshire region.

School Ratings in Ashford Bowdler

There are 10 schools in and around Ashford Bowdler. Overton School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 5 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Ashford Bowdler

The average property price is £318K, with detached homes making up the majority of the housing stock at around £399K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Ashford Bowdler

Recorded crime levels are lower than the national average. Shoplifting is prevalent across Ashford Bowdler, with 11 recorded incidents in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Ashford Bowdler

Ashford Bowdler sits around the middle of the national deprivation scale, according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment levels are broadly typical for the area, sitting close to the national average. Household incomes are broadly in line with the national average.

Healthcare in Ashford Bowdler

There are 3 GP surgeries within three miles of Ashford Bowdler, the nearest being Lunts Pharmacy (2.6 miles away).

Local Data for Ashford Bowdler

Dig deeper into the area around Ashford Bowdler with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 2,867 sales

Average Price £318K
£2K , £5.58M
Detached £399K 1,115
Semi £244K 575
Terraced £246K 664
Flat £154K 287

Schools & Education 10 within 5 miles View all schools

5 Primary
1 Secondary
4 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 5

Ofsted ratings for schools in the SY8 postcode area.

Bishop Hooper Church of England Primary School Primary 0.7 miles Overton School Not applicable Outstanding 0.7 miles Moor Park School Not applicable 1 miles Orleton CofE Primary School Primary Good 2.2 miles St Laurence CofE Primary School Primary Good 2.5 miles Shropshire Sw Early Help Family Hub Good 2.6 miles Shropshire SW Early Help Family Hub (2) 2.7 miles Ludlow Primary School Primary Good 3 miles Ludlow Church of England School Secondary 3.3 miles Luston Primary School Primary Good 4.9 miles

Household Income in Ashford Bowdler ONS 2023

The average total household income in Ashford Bowdler is approximately £44,149 a year before tax, 20% below the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £33,314. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Ashford Bowdler £44,149
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £33,314.

Businesses in Ashford Bowdler ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,065 active businesses based in Ashford Bowdler, around 59 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 89% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 10 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,065 Total businesses
59 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 89%
Small, 10-49 9%
Medium, 50-249 1%
Large, 250+ 1%

Deprivation and Employment in Ashford Bowdler IMD 2025

Ashford Bowdler sits around the national average for deprivation according to the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation. Employment and income levels are broadly typical, reflecting a mixed local economy. The area offers a balance of residential and commercial activity common to most parts of England.

Overall Deprivation
5/10
Income
6/10
Employment
6/10
Education
6/10
Health
7/10
Housing
3/10
Living Environment
3/10
Children 0-15 14%
Working age 54%
Older 65+ 32%
2,465 Children (0-15) 14%
9,652 Working Age 54%
5,844 Older (65+) 33%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 31% of children in income-deprived families
Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 12.1% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Ashford Bowdler 69 crimes · May 2026

Low Crime Area

Ashford Bowdler records relatively low levels of reported crime compared to national averages. Violence & sexual offences is the most commonly logged offence type, though overall numbers remain modest. The area is generally considered a safe and settled small town with a strong sense of community.

Violence & Sexual Offences 34
Shoplifting 11
Criminal Damage & Arson 9
Burglary 4
Other Theft 4
Public Order 3
Drugs 1
Robbery 1
Vehicle Crime 1
Other Crime 1
Local Policing
West Mercia Ludlow Town and Rural Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 5 stations

Ludlow Train Station 2.8 miles
Leominster Train Station 7.3 miles
Hopton Heath Train Station 9.3 miles
Craven Arms Train Station 9.4 miles
Broome Train Station 9.7 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Ashford Carbonell 0.6 miles Batchcott 1.2 miles Woofferton 1.2 miles Richards Castle 1.4 miles Overton 1.4 miles Gosford 1.8 miles Wyson 1.9 miles Ludford 1.9 miles Brimfield 2 miles Steventon 2 miles Orleton 2.2 miles Comberton 2.2 miles

Local Government

District Shropshire
County Worcestershire
Ward Ludlow North
Constituency Ludlow
Parish Ludlow
Region West Midlands

Home Ownership in Ashford Bowdler

Of the 8,273 households in and around Ashford Bowdler, 70% are owned, 13% are socially rented and 17% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 70% Social rented 13% Private rented 17%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Ashford Bowdler.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ashford Bowdler

What is the population of Ashford Bowdler?
Ashford Bowdler has a population of approximately 17,963 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Ashford Bowdler?
The average property in and around Ashford Bowdler sold for about £318,236, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 9% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Ashford Bowdler a deprived area?
Ashford Bowdler sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 5 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Ashford Bowdler?
Ashford Bowdler is covered by the SY8 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Ashford Bowdler?
There are 10 schools within 5 miles of Ashford Bowdler, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Ashford Bowdler?
The nearest railway station to Ashford Bowdler is Ludlow Train Station, about 2.8 miles away.

Streets in SY8 30 shown View all streets

A4113 5 A456 5 Angel Bank 7 Angel Lane 1 Appleyard Close 1 Ash Close 1 Ashford Mews 1 Ashley Walk 1 B4361 10 B4362 1 B4364 11 B4365 7 B4368 1 Back Lane 1 Badgers Rise 1 Baker Close 1 Ballard Close 1 Beaconsfield Park 1 Beech Close 1 Belfry Close 2 Bell Lane 1 Belle Vue Terrace 2 Bitterley Close 1 Bitterley Lane 3 Blashfield Road 1 Bleathwood Lane 3 Blue Boar Yard 1 Bowdler Close 1 Brand Lane 1 Bringewood Close 1

Postcodes in SY8 50 shown View all postcodes

SY8 1AA SY8 1AB SY8 1AD SY8 1AE SY8 1AG SY8 1AL SY8 1AN SY8 1AP SY8 1AQ SY8 1AR SY8 1AS SY8 1AT SY8 1AW SY8 1AX SY8 1AY SY8 1AZ SY8 1BB SY8 1BE SY8 1BF SY8 1BG SY8 1BH SY8 1BJ SY8 1BL SY8 1BN SY8 1BP SY8 1BQ SY8 1BS SY8 1BW SY8 1BY SY8 1BZ SY8 1DA SY8 1DB SY8 1DD SY8 1DE SY8 1DF SY8 1DG SY8 1DH SY8 1DJ SY8 1DL SY8 1DN SY8 1DP SY8 1DQ SY8 1DR SY8 1DS SY8 1DT SY8 1DU SY8 1DW SY8 1DX SY8 1DY SY8 1DZ