Locations
Ash Vale's extent is demarcated by the river to the west and the parallel Basingstoke Canal to the east - across these are respectively Aldershot Garrison/Military Town and the large Surrey Heath MoD, mostly UK Army, ranges and training areas. The latter is a co-managed County Wildlife Site, for instance Ash Ranges at 2,439 acres (987 ha) and Pirbright Ranges at 2,764.71 acres (1,118.84 ha), with various access days and parts see the Wildlife's Trust website. The type of soil of the heath, very acid sandy and loamy soil makes up just 1.9% of English soil and 0.2% of Welsh soil, which gives rise to pines and coniferous landscapes, such as pioneered at Wentworth and Foxhills estate and is good for biodiversity.
Two branch railway lines cross in the middle of the village without forming a junction. In the north of the village are Ash Vale railway station and North Camp railway station on the Reading-Guildford-Gatwick Line and the London-Aldershot-Alton Line respectively. The village owes its development to the Garrison and the railways; see the description of the often heath soil under the Ash article, explaining how to the south lies a limited area of fertile farming country.
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