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Chilham, Kent
Travel Information and nearby accommodation
An attractive village near Canterbury, Chilham is based around a square hemmed by half-timbered buildings. The wealth of historic architecture in Chilham makes it one of the most visited places in Kent. Among the older buildings is the White Horse inn, which dates to the 16th century. Much older is Chilham Castle, a manor house and Norman castle keep built for Henry II in 1174. The gateway to Chilham Park was built by Inigo Jones in 1616.
The parish church of St Mary dates to the 13th century, though it likely replaced a much earlier Saxon building with roots going as far back as the 7th century. The church is largely of English Perpendicular style and is well worth visiting for its large number of ornately decorated funerary monuments. Among these are monuments to Lady Mary Digges (d. 1631), the wife of Sir Dudley Digges, builder of the current castle. This grandiose memorial is composed of four seated statues representing cardinal virtues, posed around a central column that reaches eleven feet in height.
The Mystery of St Augustine
Chilham church is at the centre of a historical mystery. When St Augustine's Abbey at Canterbury Cathedral was demolished during the Reformation, the ornate, gilded, shrine housing the saint's body was removed to Chilham. There it remained in the church until 1541 when it disappeared. No trace of the shrine has ever been found.
The village square is a treasure, bounded by beautiful medieval and Jacobean half-timbered buildings, many dating from the late 15th century. Much of the village is designated a heritage conservation area, in recognition of the historic value of the many of the buildings. Because of the beautiful old buildings, Chilham is often used as a setting for film and television productions.
Among the finest of the buildings is the half-timbered Tudor Lodge (1370-1410), Tudor Cottage, and the White Horse Inn - all in the village square - Cumberland House (1470-1510), Orions Cottage, and Burgoyne (1450-1480) - on High Street. There is a possibility that Cumberland Lodge at one time served as a royal hunting lodge.
The manor of Chilham Castle is open to visitors only for regular garden open days during the summer months. It is well worth timing a visit to coincide with an open day, as the castle gardens are quite superb. There are three garden terraces below the manor, with numerous examples of large topiary. The view from the terraces down to a lake is excellent, and trails lead through the grounds, around the lake, and through a quiet garden and walled garden areas. The landscape gardens are the work of Capability Brown.
On the far side of the Stour valley from Chilham is the prehistoric Julieberrie's Grave longbarrow.
Chilham,
Kent,
England
About Chilham
Attraction Type: Village
Location: Plenty of free parking in the village car park, just off the A252.
Location
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Chilham Photos
OS TR06845360
Heritage Highlight: Fantastic collection of beautiful historic buildings, including two castles, one a Norman keep, the other a lovely Jacobean mansion.
Heritage Rating:  ?
Photos of Chilham
Half timbered cottage |
Village square |
Tudor Lodge |
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Nearest Accommodation to Chilham
Nearest Self Catering Cottages |
 The Smithy -
0
miles from Chilham
Chilham, Kent
Sleeps: 2
Stay from: £260 |
 Heron Manor -
0.2
miles from Chilham
Chilham, Kent
Sleeps: 5
Stay from: £420 |
 Mistletoe -
0.2
miles from Chilham
Chilham, Kent
Sleeps: 3
Stay from: £278 |
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Nearest Tourist
Information Centre
Canterbury
Tourist Information Centre
12-13 Sun Street
The Buttermarket
Canterbury
Kent
England
CT1 2HX
Tel: 01227 378100
Fax: 01227 378101
Email: canterburyinformation@canterbury.gov.uk
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