He returned to England in March 2003, and subsequently signed for Conference National club Woking. He spent the 2003–04 campaign with Woking, before joining Conference South team Hornchurch ahead of the following season. However, he left Hornchurch after just three months, joining divisional rivals Grays Athletic in November 2004. Bayes' three-year tenure with the Essex club was a successful one, securing a Conference South title and two FA Trophy medals. After a season with Crawley Town, Bayes signed for Stevenage on a free transfer in May 2008. The club won the FA Trophy in his first season, before earning back-to-back promotions into League One following their successful 2010–11 season. Bayes left Stevenage in June 2011, signing for Basingstoke Town of the Conference South. In late June 2013, Ashley Bayes signed for AFC Wimbledon as a player-coach under manager Neal Ardley. He has also represented England at youth level.