The toponym is first recorded in 1287, in the form Asschirche, meaning "church near the ash-tree".

The parish once extended even further west to include the area called Newtown, but this was transferred to Tewkesbury in 1931.

The old connecting curve and the two branches it served can clearly be traced on a map, with much of the Ashchurch to Tewkesbury line now being used as a Segregated Cycle Path and footpath.

DE&S Ashchurch, known locally as "Ashchurch Camp", is the UK MOD's primary vehicle storage and distribution site for all types of armoured and soft skinned vehicles, together with Royal Engineer bridges, boats and construction plant.

[4] In March 2012, the UK MOD's Defence Infrastructure Organisation, confirmed its intention to consult publicly on proposals to redevelop 'MOD Ashchurch' for creation of a sustainable mixed use development, likely to include new homes, community and local retail facilities, primary school, employment uses and open space.