Chilham Village
Chilham Village
4.5
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4.5
333 reviews
Excellent
219
Very good
92
Average
18
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Steve W
5 contributions
Mar 2022
Village looked nice, gift shop closed, antique shop closed, castle closed and for sale.
We had a great meal at the Woolpack inn which we will give 5 stars to the chef.
The only thing open was a tea room which i found out had only been opened 5 weeks
before, and a tiny post office that sold a few things, quite cute.
This visit was on 23rd March 2022, a glorious sunny day, come on Chilham open up.
We had a great meal at the Woolpack inn which we will give 5 stars to the chef.
The only thing open was a tea room which i found out had only been opened 5 weeks
before, and a tiny post office that sold a few things, quite cute.
This visit was on 23rd March 2022, a glorious sunny day, come on Chilham open up.
Written 24 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hayley T
Chilham, UK40 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Such a gorgeous square with free parking, two pubs, a tea room, a church, a post office AND a castle with gorgeous grounds which are open (usually) from June to September. A lovely character-filled hideaway from the city life, but close enough to Canterbury for comfort.
Lots of lovely walking trails around too.
Lots of lovely walking trails around too.
Written 4 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PedroWorth
Ashford, UK616 contributions
Situated on high ground above the Stour valley in an area designated as outstanding in natural beauty. Chilham is probably the prettiest village in Kent and well worth a visit. The lovely old builings cluster around the large square where there are a couple of quaint tea rooms and the entrance to Chilham castle. Slightly set back is St. Mary church where the bones of Thomas a Becket once rested. There are two pubs in the village, the Woolpack and the White Horse. Chilham castle is open once month, but sadly only the grounds since the ownership changed. I have walked this area extensively and it is possible to do a circular walk that incorporates Goodnestone house, Juliberry Downs, the water mill and lakes and thence back to Chilham. The village was featured in 'The Adventures of Moll Flanders', 'A Canterbury Tale', and 'Emma'.There is also a quirky farm shop nearby that sells farm memorabilia, home made produce and has an exotic collection of animals. Best visited by car. Easy parking. Best access from London via M20, exit Ashford. Pedroofpobla
Written 16 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard Curry
Canterbury, UK43 contributions
June 2016 • Couples
Chilham is a wonderful village. Possibly the most attractive in Kent. In France the square would be a bustling place full of people, outside tables for cafes and restaurants. In England it is a car park even though there is a large and seldom used car park a few minutes walk away.
Written 11 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joolz1970
Iwade, UK80 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
I love Chilham so very pretty and the Woolpack does a fantastic roast dinner too..... Just taking an amble through the village and churchyard is a great way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon
Written 31 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vic051
West Bend, Wisconsin105 contributions
Oct 2012 • Friends
What luck! Our party of four needed a BNB near Canterbury, and we took a chance on Chilham. What a pleasent surprise when we drove into this beautiful, quaint, and historic village. We had planned to visit some other areas in Kent the next morning, but we were so enchanted with Chilham that we spent our morning just strolling around.
We spent two nights in Chilham at a great BNB, and we enjoyed two wonderful meals at one of the pubs in Chilham. Both are reviewed seperately.
We spent two nights in Chilham at a great BNB, and we enjoyed two wonderful meals at one of the pubs in Chilham. Both are reviewed seperately.
Written 5 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jillyanna
Bournemouth, UK1,167 contributions
July 2012 • Couples
This village is like stepping back in time. There are many old houses & a lovely old church which is open to look round. There are a couple of old pubs & a little tea shop within the village.
There is a free car park just off the main road & then the village is just a short stroll away.
Well worth a look if you are passing through this area of Kent.
There is a free car park just off the main road & then the village is just a short stroll away.
Well worth a look if you are passing through this area of Kent.
Written 31 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Northernblonde
Canterbury, UK483 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
This is the village we take all our foreign visitors to. The square with the church at one end and the castle at the other and beautiful timbered houses and shop on the other two sides is as complete a picture of an old village as we have. Traditional teas served in the tearoom and good ale served in the pub makes the experience complete.
A walk down the hill past pretty well-kept dwellings to the other pub at the bottom is also worthwhile.
The only reason I can't give it five stars is that there are always cars parked in the centre of the square which ruin my photos! I appreciate that it's a place where people live - it isn't a museum - so they will want to keep their cars nearby, but what a shame it can't be done a little less obtrusively. As for tourists and visitors (including me) I'm sure we'd all be happy to park in the car park below the village if the square could be kept clear.
Still, well worth a visit summer or winter. A lovely place to spend an hour or two.
A walk down the hill past pretty well-kept dwellings to the other pub at the bottom is also worthwhile.
The only reason I can't give it five stars is that there are always cars parked in the centre of the square which ruin my photos! I appreciate that it's a place where people live - it isn't a museum - so they will want to keep their cars nearby, but what a shame it can't be done a little less obtrusively. As for tourists and visitors (including me) I'm sure we'd all be happy to park in the car park below the village if the square could be kept clear.
Still, well worth a visit summer or winter. A lovely place to spend an hour or two.
Written 24 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura K
Sheridan, WY17 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
We visited Chilham Village with some English friends yesterday (August 14) and were delighted to find the castle open. (It seems that the castle is under private ownership and the new owners were not inclined to open it for public visits, but that has changed.)
Anyway, you can visit on Tuesdays from June through September, the sign on the gate informed us. 5 pounds, (sorry, I don't know where the British "pound" sign is on my American keyboard.) Beautiful little village, and don't forget to try the cream teas at Shelleys, near the castle. Sit down at any table and ask for the cream tea, it is two large scones with clotted cream (it's like a mild, spreadable butter), regular butter, strawberry jam and a pot of tea. The scones melt in your mouth!
Anyway, you can visit on Tuesdays from June through September, the sign on the gate informed us. 5 pounds, (sorry, I don't know where the British "pound" sign is on my American keyboard.) Beautiful little village, and don't forget to try the cream teas at Shelleys, near the castle. Sit down at any table and ask for the cream tea, it is two large scones with clotted cream (it's like a mild, spreadable butter), regular butter, strawberry jam and a pot of tea. The scones melt in your mouth!
Written 15 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin E
Canterbury, UK38 contributions
Feb 2017
The delightful village of Chilham is situated about 5 miles west of Canterbury 'wedged' in a fork in the roads to Ashford, and to Maidstone, a 'must see' location for those touring east Kent, after Canterbury cathedral and Dover Castle.
Originally an Anglo-Saxon fortified hill village, there is in the locality evidence of Roman, and certainly Norman occupation. The village Square sits like a monk's tonsure, surrounded by Tudor buildings, some of which have been 'tarted up' in Victorian times. At one end of the Square stands the Parish Church, of Norman appearance with a tower having a decent peal of bells (hand pulled, of course.) Inside there is a memorial to the son of the castle owners who was killed in a flying accident during WW1. And some pleasant stained glass.
At the other end stands the castle, constructed originally in 1174 (The year that the east end of Canterbury cathedral was consumed by fire) in Norman times, rumoured to have been built for Henry II (who constructed Dover Castle). A Norman keep still stands at the rear of the 'modern' castle. This is a hexagonal Jacobean structure of most pleasing appearance. Twin gatehouses and imposing gates give way to a generous drive leading directly to the castle building, which is Grade 1 listed, and has been continuously occupied over the centuries.
So picturesque is the village square that it has been chosen as a natural backdrop for a number of films. The earliest that I recall were scenes from "A Canterbury Tale" (1944) and the most recent "Emma" for the BBC. The village school, over 150 years old, is close to the castle gates and still thriving with 100 pupils and hardly changed in appearance. Also close to the castle gates, within the garden of 'Well Cottage' stands the village well where water was drawn before mains water was provided. This also provided water for the close-by communal laundry, demolished only in the 1920s. (The castle had its own well where water was drawn by a horse-operated mechanism.)
The village used to have quite a variety of shops, including two butchers, a dairy, and several within the Square providing everyday groceries and clothing but, over time, most have been displaced by 'touristic suppliers'. The original two pubs remain, the Woolpack offering accommodation. All central buildings are Grade 2 listed.
PS: The castle grounds are open for one Tuesday per month, but also host a number of events during the summer months. (Check the website) Make certain you are not without photographic equipment. There is a large car park just off the Maidstone road. Enjoy.............
Originally an Anglo-Saxon fortified hill village, there is in the locality evidence of Roman, and certainly Norman occupation. The village Square sits like a monk's tonsure, surrounded by Tudor buildings, some of which have been 'tarted up' in Victorian times. At one end of the Square stands the Parish Church, of Norman appearance with a tower having a decent peal of bells (hand pulled, of course.) Inside there is a memorial to the son of the castle owners who was killed in a flying accident during WW1. And some pleasant stained glass.
At the other end stands the castle, constructed originally in 1174 (The year that the east end of Canterbury cathedral was consumed by fire) in Norman times, rumoured to have been built for Henry II (who constructed Dover Castle). A Norman keep still stands at the rear of the 'modern' castle. This is a hexagonal Jacobean structure of most pleasing appearance. Twin gatehouses and imposing gates give way to a generous drive leading directly to the castle building, which is Grade 1 listed, and has been continuously occupied over the centuries.
So picturesque is the village square that it has been chosen as a natural backdrop for a number of films. The earliest that I recall were scenes from "A Canterbury Tale" (1944) and the most recent "Emma" for the BBC. The village school, over 150 years old, is close to the castle gates and still thriving with 100 pupils and hardly changed in appearance. Also close to the castle gates, within the garden of 'Well Cottage' stands the village well where water was drawn before mains water was provided. This also provided water for the close-by communal laundry, demolished only in the 1920s. (The castle had its own well where water was drawn by a horse-operated mechanism.)
The village used to have quite a variety of shops, including two butchers, a dairy, and several within the Square providing everyday groceries and clothing but, over time, most have been displaced by 'touristic suppliers'. The original two pubs remain, the Woolpack offering accommodation. All central buildings are Grade 2 listed.
PS: The castle grounds are open for one Tuesday per month, but also host a number of events during the summer months. (Check the website) Make certain you are not without photographic equipment. There is a large car park just off the Maidstone road. Enjoy.............
Written 5 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Best way to get to Canterbury from St. Pancras London
Written 24 January 2015
platform 11-13 direct to canterbury west takes just under an hour. Walk into main high st about 10 minutes or take a cab.
Written 23 June 2016
Hi there,
How do I get to Chilham village from Canterbury?
Cheers Gai
Written 20 January 2015
As Sarah has said, you can catch a train from Canterbury West station (Canterbury has two stations; Canterbury West is on the London - Ramsgate line, and is next to the Goods Shed, not far from the Westgate).
You could alternatively catch a no' 652 bus from Canterbury bus station, or drive down the A28. Coming from Canterbury, go past Chilham railway station and bear straight ahead onto the A252 (when the A28 turns left towards Ashford). Ignore the next left turn & take the following one; a large road sign will direct you to the spacious free car park just off the main road. A short stroll up Taylors Hill will reveal the medieval square to you in all its splendour.
Written 20 January 2015
Did you know that the website attaached to this page contains a trojan? It's just been blocked by my antivirus software.
Any chance of some more details about the village? You're not doing it justice!
Written 17 December 2014
It's a historic medieval village centred around a market square (currently featuring a magnificent illuminated Christmas tree around which the village gathered to sing carols, accompanied by handbell ringers, last Sunday.
There's a pretty gift shop in the square, a post office, tea rooms and two pubs, large free car park with toilets at the bottom of Taylor's Hill, a railway station, a garden centre / general store near the station & it's on a national long distance path & ancient pilgrims' route to Canterbury. I admit I'm biased; I live here!
Written 18 December 2014
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