Why Chilham?
Renowned for its beauty and charm, the Kentish village of Chilham lies high above the valley of the River Stour in the picturesque Kent Downs. An incredibly ancient spot, with, at its heart four narrow steep lanes which rise up from the valley to emerge into the beautiful open space of Chilham square. Surrounding this medieval gem are timber framed houses of Tudor origin, the 16th century church and the imposing Chilham Castle with its exceptional views across the Stour Valley.
Chilham Square (image (c) Robert Berry)
Yet the lure of this village is not simply in its buildings. The surrounding countryside of the beautiful Kent Downs is criss-crossed by many footpaths, bridal-ways and country lanes, which give visitors excellent access to an exquisite landscape of woodland and open country with breathtaking views, as well as sheltering the hidden Kentish villages of Shottenden and Old Wives Lees. For the hardier walker, Chilham lies on the routes for the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims’ Way to Canterbury.
Chilham Oast Houses (image (c) Helen Kirwan)
Should the outdoor activities prove too strenuous, Chilham also offers a traditional brand of Kentish hospitality in its many pubs and cozy accommodations, and provides the perfect base for exploring the area.
So why not come and Enjoy Chilham for yourselves?
Activities to enjoy in and around Chilham
With its tranquil setting in the Kent Downs, you won’t be surprised to know that Chilham offers a range of outdoor activities for the visitor. Click below for more information on the activities you can enjoy in and around Chilham:
River Stour (image (c) Kent Downs AONB)
Planning your stay in Chilham
Whether you come to Chilham for the day or stay for longer, click on the links below to find all you need to know about where to stay, where to eat and drink and other activities on offer in the area:
View of Chilham (image (c) Kent Downs AONB)
Further information
Information on the Parish of Chilham can be found at our own website www.chilham-parish.org.uk
Click here to download a copy of the Chilham leaflet (PDF file 2.4mb)
Chilham Mill (image (c) Kent Downs AONB)
Guides and History of Chilham
The Guide to Chilham
Is available for £2 from the Church, and Post Office in Chilham. It is a 20 page beautifully illustrated guide, available in French and English. A short history is given of the village, and many of its buildings including The Church, The Castle, and the Mill. Click here for a sample
Chilham History
Additional stories and history of Chilham can be found on the Parish web site: www.chilham-parish.org.uk/history.htm
Chilham The Unique Village' By George Mabbitt 1988
This is a comprehensive and insightful study by a local man fascinated by life in Chilham. His final paragraph entitled 'Reflections' serves as a reminder to us all of our collective responsibilities in caring for our world. It is published here, in Adobe PDF format, by kind permission of his son who still lives locally. Click here to download
Our local visitor information centres can be found at:
Canterbury Visitor Information Centre
12 - 13 Sun Street, Buttermarket
Canterbury
Kent CT1 2HX
Tel: 01227 378100
Web: www.canterbury.co.uk
Ashford Tourism Information Centre
18 The Churchyard
Ashford
Kent TN23 1QG
Tel: 01233 629165
Web: www.ashford.gov.uk
Faversham Tourism Information Centre
Fleur de Lis Heritage Centre
10 - 13 Preston Street
Faversham
Kent ME13 8NS
Tel: 01795 534 542
Web: www.faversham.org
Chilham is located within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Visit www.kentdowns.org.uk for more information.
Chilham is situated approximately half way between Ashford and Canterbury.
For further information on Ashford and surrounding areas go to www.visitheartofkent.com
For further information on Canterbury and surrounding areas go to www.canterbury.co.uk
Chilham is one of the destinations working with the Hidden Britain project here in the South East.
Click here to find out more about Hidden Britain.
This Country Break has been developed through the Kent Downs AONB Unit’s Transmanche Sustainable Tourism Project, in partnership with the Chilham Tourism & Retailers Group and the Hidden Britain Initiative. The project is part financed through the European Regional Development Fund – Interreg IIIa.
