Are There any BJJ Classes Worth Travelling to near Faversham, Canterbury, Dover or Tenterden in Kent?
- Ian Hall
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
If you have been searching for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes in Faversham, Canterbury, Dover, Tenterden, or the surrounding areas of Kent, you have probably noticed the same thing: the options are limited. A handful of MMA gyms, a few clubs that do BJJ as a side offering. Nothing dedicated.
Dover is a good example. Two BJJ clubs have tried to establish themselves there and neither has managed to stay afloat. It is not a reflection of demand — it is a reminder that finding a stable, well-run academy is harder than it looks, and that proximity is not the only thing that matters when choosing where to train.
That is a frustrating place to be, especially if you are serious about starting properly.
Ascend Jiu Jitsu is based in Ashford. We are a dedicated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, not a mixed martial arts gym with a BJJ class bolted on. For members coming from across Kent, that distinction matters.
Why people make the journey for BJJ classes near Faversham, Canterbury, Dover or Tenterden, Kent
One of our members, Liam, drives 40 minutes each way to train at Ascend. He left a review that said simply: "Worth every penny and the 40 minute journey."
That is not an unusual situation. We have members who travel regularly for BJJ classes from near by Faversham, Canterbury, Dover, Tenterden, Hythe, and the Romney Marsh, in Kent. They made the decision to look further afield because what was available locally did not meet what they were looking for.
What they found at Ascend:
A structured curriculum with a clear progression pathway from beginner to advanced.
Experienced coaching — our head instructor is a 2nd degree black belt who trains alongside students every session.
A calm, professional environment where ego does not feature.
Dedicated beginners, women's, kids, and nogi programmes running across the week.
Starting from scratch
If you are new to BJJ, the distance question matters most at the beginning. Our 12-week Beginners Course is designed specifically for that. It runs twice a week, giving you a consistent starting point without needing to be on the mats every day.
Most people who join have never trained before. By the end of the course, they understand the fundamentals, feel comfortable rolling, and have a clear path into regular classes. That structured start is what makes the journey worth making.
What Ashford is actually like to get to
From Faversham, Ascend's BJJ classes near by, around 30 minutes by car or direct train. From Canterbury, roughly 25 minutes. From Dover, around 35 minutes. Tenterden is about 30. Hythe and New Romney are similar.
We are located on the first floor above Anytime Fitness at 25 New Street, Ashford, with free parking available in the Lidl car park next door for up to 2.5 hours.
The timetable is spread across the week, so most people can find slots that work around work and family commitments without needing to travel every day.
Is it worth it?
That depends on what you are looking for. If you want a gym that is five minutes from your door, we probably cannot help. But if you want to train somewhere that takes jiu jitsu seriously, where the coaching is consistent, the environment is respectful, and the structure gives you a genuine path forward — the extra time in the car tends to stop being a consideration fairly quickly.
The best way to find out is to come in. We offer a free trial session with no pressure and no obligation.
If you are travelling from outside Ashford and want to ask anything before making the journey, get in touch. We are happy to answer questions.
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