Pictures of Chilham
in the county of Kent
About Chilham
Here you will find an attractive collection of Tudor black and white half-timbered houses assembled around a central village square. The impressive gates to Chilham Castle stand in the square, and peeping between the houses at the northern end of the square, is the clock-face tower of the Church of St. Mary. It is the most atmospheric square, and it is therefore unsurprising to learn it was featured in the film 'The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders' in around 1965.
Another historic aspect of the village is that it is said to be the last resting place of one of Julius Caesar's men. Julliberrie, was a captain in Caesar's army, he is said to be buried in a long barrow to the south of the village in the Valley of the Stour. The barrow is 150 foot long, is also supposed to be the spot where the Ancient Britons drove back the Roman army.
The romantic Jacobean mansion known as Chilham Castle was built for Sir Dudley Diggs, Master of the Rolls for James I, in 1616. It was designed by Inigo Jones, and the gardens were laid out by Capability Brown in 1777. In the grounds of the mansion you can see the original Norman Keep and Curtain walls of the earlier 12th-century castle.
Leaving behind the historic nature of Chilham, in recent times, certainly until well into the mid-nineties, it was the home of the British Jousting Association of Great Britain. It was a superb venue for lively events featuring knights in armour, in pitched battle for my ladies favour. Now all this is gone, the castle has been sold into private ownership to become an equestrian centre with a cross country course.
The parish Church of St.Mary dates from the 15th-century and is built of flint. It has an outstanding nave and chancel, decorative windows and a magnificent font supported by five columns. There is a white marble monument by the sculptor Sir Francis Chantry (1781-1841), who left his fortune to found a famous art collection. In the quiet churchyard you can see a lofty War Memorial and tombs and graves from past centuries.
Chilham is a place of extraordinary serenity, it is both picturesque and pleasant, a lovely place to spend a perfectly peaceful day or a quiet, romantic weekend.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Chilham
| Canterbury Royal Museum & Art Gallery | (5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Sir John Boy's House (Kings Gallery) | (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Canterbury Cathedral | (5.6 miles, 9.0 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| St Augustine's Abbey | (6.0 miles, 9.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Howletts Wild Animal Park | (7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Wealden Woodlands | (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| Lydden Motor Racing Circuit | (10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Goodnestone Park Gardens | (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Lympne Castle | (11.6 miles, 18.6 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Port Lympne Wild Animal Park | (12.1 miles, 19.4 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Saltwood Castle | (12.3 miles, 19.7 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Isle of Sheppey | (12.4 miles, 20.0 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Reculver Towers & Roman Fort | (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction NE) | Pictures |
| The Battle of Britain Memorial | (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Leeds Castle | (14.7 miles, 23.6 km, direction W) | Pictures |
All attractions in ChilhamAll attractions in KentComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Chilham
Canterbury, in the county of Kent (5.5 miles, 8.8 km, direction NE)
Canterbury is an exquisite joyous place, it is submerged in history and is considered to be the birthplace of English...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Faversham, a Historic Market Town in the county of Kent (6.1 miles, 9.8 km, direction NW)
There is record of settlements in the area in pre-historic times, it is known that the Romans and the Anglo-Saxons both established villages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Lynsted, in the county of Kent (9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction NW)
A charming, restful place in what is known as cherry-orchard country, and although the cherries are still here, arable farming has taken over much of the land.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Aylesham, in the county of Kent (10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction E)
The village preserves its history, it has several noted buildings from when it was built and a strong community spirit still prevails. Of interest is the beautiful sculpture dedicated to the men who lived in Aylesham and spent their lives working in the mines.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Pluckley, in the county of Kent (10.3 miles, 16.6 km, direction SW)
The village, which is scrambled on a ridge above the scenic River Beult, is said to be the most haunted village in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Snowdown, in the county of Kent (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction E)
Snowdown was famous for its colliery, it was one of only four collieries in Kent. It opened between 1907 and 1912, with a new town being built at Aylesham to provide home for workers who came largely from the north-east of England and from Wales.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Leysdown-on-Sea, in the county of Kent (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction N)
This is a busy Kentish coastal holiday resort which has sandy beaches and safe shallow waters, thus the beach is ideal for sunbathing and to swim from.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Barfrestone, in the county of Kent (12.0 miles, 19.2 km, direction E)
Apart from the church, the village of Barfrestone reveals leafy lanes studded with enchanting cottages.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hythe, in the county of Kent (12.8 miles, 20.6 km, direction SE)
This delightful seaside resort is one of the five original Cinque Ports, it can trace its noble history all the way back to AD732 when it was granted a charter by the Saxon King Ethelred.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Leeds, in the county of Kent (15.5 miles, 24.9 km, direction W)
For a romantic day out and a trip into England's rich historic past you can do no better than visit the pastoral village of Leeds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sheerness, in the county of Kent (16.2 miles, 26.0 km, direction NW)
This is the port to which Nelson's body was brought home following his untimely death after his glorious victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Upchurch, in the county of Kent (16.6 miles, 26.7 km, direction NW)
This is an historic, interesting village which was once home to Edmund Drake, father of Sir Francis, who became vicar of the local church in 1560.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Appledore, in the county of Kent (16.8 miles, 27.0 km, direction SW)
This picturesque village with its wealth of attractive architectural properties sits quietly on the edge of Romney Marsh.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Dover, in the county of Kent (16.9 miles, 27.1 km, direction SE)
The white cliffs of Dover, the view that has stirred the hearts of English travellers for centuries.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tenterden, in the county of Kent (17.1 miles, 27.5 km, direction SW)
The town is located on slightly rising ground looking out over the vast agricultural landscape of the Rother Levels, which sweep down to the Romney Marshes and finally, the sea.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in KentComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Chilham Station | (0.5 miles, 0.9 km) |
| Chartham Station | (2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction NE) |
| M2 Junction 7 | (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction NW) |
| M2 Junction 6 | (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction NW) |
| Lydd Airport | (20.2 miles, 32.5 km, direction S) |
| London City Airport | (43.2 miles, 69.5 km, direction NW) |
| Chilham to London | (50.8 miles, 81.7 km, direction W) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Chilham
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Chilham center |
| Woolpack Inn | (0.1 miles, 0.2 km) |
| The White Horse Inn | (3.5 miles, 5.7 km, direction N) |
| Express By Holiday Inn Canterbury | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction NE) |
| Upper Ansdore Guest House | (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction SE) |
| New Flying Horse Inn | (4.4 miles, 7.0 km, direction S) |
| The Victoria Hotel | (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction NE) |
| Fusion RBR | (5.3 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE) |
| Falstaff Hotel | (5.4 miles, 8.6 km, direction NE) |
| Eastwell Manor Hotel | (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction SW) |
| Abode Canterbury | (5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction NE) |
| All hotels in Chilham |
