37 minutes from Kings Cross St Pancras is London's newest suburb: the Kentish Town of Ashford. South Eastern High Speed weekend services have now begun and we set off through Sunday's drizzle to inspect the latest addition to the commuter belt.
Ashford is a town of two halves. Two halves that have been unfortunately divided by an international railway line, a dual carriageway and some rather unattractive mid century office buildings. No matter, for once you negotiate your way safely from station to centre de ville it's plainly a very attractive country town, albeit one with some rather poorly conceived millennial additions.
Welcome to the suburbs, Ashford; Zone 10 never felt so close.