It lies on the eastern outskirts of New Milton in the New Forest district, and is two miles (3 km) inland from the sea.

[3] The first was possessed by "Nigel the doctor" from Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury; before 1066 it had been held by Saewulf.

[5] At the beginning of the 14th century Reginald de Bettesthorne had lands in Ashley worth 5 shillings yearly.

[6] The manors of Arnewood and Ashley remained in the Compton family up to the 17th century, but by 1632 it was in the possession of Roger Tulse.

[7] In 1803 William Ireland and his wife Betty transferred the manor of Ashley Arnewood to Richard Randell.

[5] In 1845, the politician John Arthur Roebuck purchased Ashley Arnewood, which is described as having 200 acres (0.81 km2) of land attached to it.

[8] Because of his engagements in London, much of the actual farming at Ashley Arnewood was conducted by his wife until they chose to sell the estate in 1854.

[8] The estate was later purchased by the political philosopher and author Auberon Herbert in the 1870s and he lived there until his wife's death in 1886.

I was born (June 1875) in a cottage in what is now Ashley Road; situated south of the lane at the base of the hill by the brook.

We never entered Fern Hill Woods; they were a game reserve and there were notices saying "Beware of Spring Guns."

On the north edge of the lane from the top of the hill to Ashley Cross Road wild daffodils grew by thousands, none to the south but primroses and violets.

[23][24] In World War II, two fortified bunkers known as pillboxes were built in Ashley to defend against a possible German invasion by sea.

[1] A parade of shops, containing a convenience store, pharmacy, four Take-Away food restaurants, two hairdressers, and a physiotherapy store, is located next to Ashley Crossroads, the original Ashley shop is now a traditional Barbershop and strength and conditioning gym.

A large recreation ground is located close to the centre of Ashley, and is home to New Milton and District Rugby Club.