# Chilham Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > Chilham travel guide: Chilham Castle, the medieval square, walks on the North Downs Way, and where to stay near Canterbury. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/chilham (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. A film-set village beneath a Jacobean castle Photo © Dieter Vanmarcke, Google Maps [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants) Chilham sits high above the River Stour in the Kent Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the doorstep of Canterbury. The village is built where four steep, narrow lanes converge on a small square, and the effect is of stepping into a scene that has barely changed in five hundred years: jettied Tudor houses lean over cobbles, a flint church tower rises at one end, and the gatehouse of Chilham Castle closes the other. It is one of the most complete and photogenic medieval squares in England, which is why film and television crews return to it again and again. Beyond the square, Chilham unwinds into orchards, hop gardens and beech woodland typical of this part of Kent. The North Downs Way passes close by, and the village makes a natural stopping point for walkers heading between Canterbury and the Wye Downs. Despite its storybook looks, Chilham is a working village rather than a museum piece, with a primary school, a shop and a pub that has served the square for centuries. It is small enough to explore in an afternoon but atmospheric enough to justify staying the night. ## Getting to Chilham Chilham has its own railway station on the line between Ashford and Ramsgate via Canterbury West, with services roughly every half hour taking around ten minutes into Canterbury and a similar time to Ashford, where fast trains connect to London St Pancras in well under an hour. By road, the village lies just off the A28 between Ashford and Canterbury, with the M20 and A2/M2 both within easy reach for drivers arriving from London or the coast. ## Best time to visit Chilham Spring and early summer bring blossom to the surrounding orchards and the best chance of catching Chilham Castle Gardens on one of their open days. Summer weekends see the village at its busiest, with visitors filling the square, so early mornings or weekdays offer a quieter look at the timbered houses. Autumn adds rich colour to the beechwoods along the North Downs Way, while a crisp winter morning, with woodsmoke rising over the castle walls, has its own quiet appeal. ## Where to stay in Chilham(1) [All hotels in Chilham →](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/hotels) About staying in Chilham Chilham makes a peaceful, characterful base for exploring this corner of the Kent Downs, with Canterbury only minutes away by train and the North Downs Way passing close by for walkers. Hotel options directly in the village are limited given its size, with the historic White Horse inn on the square offering a handful of characterful rooms right at the heart of things, close to the castle gatehouse and St Mary's Church. Staying in the village itself means waking up inside the postcard scene of timbered houses and cobbled lanes that usually only day-trippers get to see, and having the square largely to yourself once the coach parties have gone home. For a wider choice of hotels, bed and breakfasts and boutique stays, Canterbury is only a short drive or a ten-minute train ride away, and offers everything from budget chains to characterful townhouse hotels within the old city walls, alongside its cathedral, restaurants and shops. Ashford, a little further along the same railway line, is another practical base with good transport connections, including high-speed services towards London, making it useful for anyone splitting a trip between Kent and the capital. Wherever you base yourself, Chilham's compact size means a night or two is easily enough to take in the castle gardens on an open day, wander the square, and follow a stretch of footpath out into the surrounding orchards and downland before moving on to Canterbury or the wider Kent coast. [Woolpack Inn The Street, Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/woolpack-inn) [The Old Alma Inn Canterbury Rd, Chilham](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/hotels/the-old-alma-inn) [Homelea Bed and Breakfast Canterbury Road, Chilham, Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/homelea-bed-and-breakfast) [Howfield Manor Hotel Howfield Lane, Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/howfield-manor-hotel) [Holiday Inn Express Canterbury A2 Upper Harbledown, Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/holiday-inn-express-canterbury) [White Horse Inn 246 The Street, Faversham](https://staycation.co.uk/faversham/hotels/white-horse-inn) [Cave Hotel & Golf Resort Brickfield Lane, Faversham](https://staycation.co.uk/faversham/hotels/cave-hotel-golf-resort) [Oakside Lodge Roman Road, Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/hotels/oakside-lodge) ## Things to Do in Chilham [All attractions in Chilham →](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions) Top things to do in Chilham Chilham rewards slow exploration on foot. Highlights include: - **Chilham Castle and Gardens** — a Jacobean manor house built for Sir Dudley Digges beside the shell of a Norman keep, with 25 acres of terraced gardens partly landscaped by Capability Brown; the gardens open to visitors on selected days through the summer. - **Chilham Square** — the heart of the village, ringed by 15th- and 16th-century timber-framed houses and a favourite location for period dramas and films, from Winnie the Pooh adaptations to Miss Marple. - **St Mary's Church** — a mainly 15th-century flint church with a squat tower overlooking the square, holding monuments to the Digges family of the castle. - **The North Downs Way** — the long-distance path runs within easy reach of the village, offering waymarked walks through orchards and beechwoods with views across the Stour valley. - **Canterbury** — the cathedral city is a short hop away by train or car, with its UNESCO World Heritage cathedral, city walls and riverside streets. - **Godmersham Park** — the nearby estate, once owned by Jane Austen's brother Edward, sits just along the Stour valley and is a pleasant walking destination. [Canterbury Leisure ⭐ 3.3](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/canterbury-leisure) [Canterbury Gaming Grotto](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/canterbury-gaming-grotto) [Escape Kent ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/escape-kent) [The Pottery Room ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/the-pottery-room) [Dane John Gardens ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/dane-john-gardens) [Westgate Gardens ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/westgate-gardens) [Canterbury Punting Company ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/canterbury-punting-company) [Espression Interactive Art Studio Cafe ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions/espression-interactive-art-studio-cafe) ## Where to Eat in Chilham(2) [All restaurants in Chilham →](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants) Food and drink in Chilham The White Horse, a 14th-century inn right on the square opposite the castle gatehouse, is the village's traditional local, serving real ales and pub food and hosting regular live music and quiz nights. The Church Mouse tea rooms, also on the square, are well placed for a cream tea after visiting St Mary's Church, while the Woolpack Inn on The Street offers a more spread-out country pub setting with a garden terrace, a short drive from the centre. [Badgers Hill Farm Ltd ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/badgers-hill-farm-ltd) [The Tearoom at Bagham Barn ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/the-tearoom-at-bagham-barn) [Canterbury Chartham Garden Centre ⭐ 4.1](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/canterbury-chartham-garden-centre) [Howfield Manor Hotel ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/howfield-manor-hotel) [Londis - Gate ⭐ 3.0](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/londis-gate) [The Dairy ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/the-dairy) [West Wing Tea Rooms ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/west-wing-tea-rooms) [Sheldon Spa ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants/sheldon-spa) ## Attractions Near Chilham [All attractions in Chilham →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Chilham. [5 mi Canterbury Leisure Canterbury · ⭐ 3.3](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/canterbury-leisure) [5 mi Canterbury Gaming Grotto Canterbury](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/canterbury-gaming-grotto) [5 mi Escape Kent Canterbury · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/escape-kent) [5 mi The Pottery Room Faversham · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/faversham/attractions/the-pottery-room) [5 mi Dane John Gardens Canterbury · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/dane-john-gardens) [5 mi Westgate Gardens Canterbury · ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/westgate-gardens) [5 mi Canterbury Punting Company Canterbury · ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/canterbury-punting-company) [5 mi Espression Interactive Art Studio Cafe Canterbury · ⭐ 5.0](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/attractions/espression-interactive-art-studio-cafe) ## Camping in Chilham(1) [All campsites in Chilham →](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/camping) About camping in Chilham Chilham and the surrounding Kent Downs offer gentle, rolling countryside that suits campers looking for orchards, woodland and quiet lanes rather than dramatic wilderness. As with the rest of England, wild camping is not legal here without the landowner's explicit permission, so pitching up in fields or woodland on a whim is not an option; instead, campers should use licensed sites, certified caravan and camping club locations, or farm-based campsites in the villages around Chilham, several of which sit within easy reach of the North Downs Way and the Stour valley. The terrain here is a mix of chalk downland, hop gardens and orchards rather than open moor, so sites tend to be small, tucked into farmland, and often family-run, with a more intimate feel than the large holiday parks found nearer the coast. Many combine a working farm with a handful of pitches, and some offer glamping options such as shepherd's huts, bell tents or converted horseboxes for anyone who wants the Kent Downs setting without bringing their own tent. Late spring through early autumn is the most comfortable season for camping around Chilham, when the orchards are in leaf or fruit and the North Downs Way is at its most walkable; blossom time in April and May adds a particular charm to the surrounding countryside, while high summer brings the warmest weather but also the busiest weekends, especially around any castle garden open days. Early autumn often rewards campers with settled weather, harvest colours in the hop gardens and orchards, and a quieter village to explore. Whatever the season, the compact scale of the area means a campsite near Chilham puts you within easy reach of the village square, the castle grounds, and a short train ride from Canterbury, making it a good option for a slower, more rural counterpoint to a cathedral-city break. [Sunnyside Farm Chilham Certificated Site ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/camping/sunnyside-farm-chilham-certificated-site) [Worcesters ⭐ 4.8 · from £20/night](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/worcesters) [Monks Cottage Caravan Site ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/faversham/camping/monks-cottage-caravan-site) [⛺Campsite Canterbury Reach Lodge Retreat](https://staycation.co.uk/kent/camping/canterbury-reach-lodge-retreat) [Brook Farm ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/brook-farm-canterbury) [Chapter Farm Camping ⭐ 4.8 · from £30/night](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/chapter-farm-camping) [Kent Cottage Holidays ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/kent-cottage-holidays) [Sunnyside Farm Camping ⭐ 4.4 · from £24/night](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/camping/sunnyside-farm-camping) ## Self-Catering Cottages in Chilham [All cottages in Chilham →](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/cottages) [Orions Cottage 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £711](https://staycation.co.uk/ashford/cottages/orions-cottage-m13813) [🏡Cottage The Snug at Pickelden Farmhouse 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £451](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/the-snug-at-pickelden-farmhouse-syk1129449) [🏡Cottage Kentish Barn Retreat 3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £727](https://staycation.co.uk/ashford/cottages/kentish-barn-retreat-m414285) [The Manor Coach House 2 bed · sleeps 6 · from £1,642](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/the-manor-coach-house-m491646) [Lekido 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £493](https://staycation.co.uk/swale/cottages/lekido-uk45215) [🏡Cottage Little Pontus 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £490](https://staycation.co.uk/ashford/cottages/little-pontus-syk1070677) [🏡Cottage Kent Downs Cottage 4 bed · sleeps 8 · from £941](https://staycation.co.uk/canterbury/cottages/kent-downs-cottage-syk1155687) [🏡Cottage The Garden Wing at Mount Ephraim 6 bed · sleeps 12 · from £2,034](https://staycation.co.uk/swale/cottages/the-garden-wing-at-mount-ephraim-m533427) ## Common questions about Chilham How many campsites are there in Chilham? We list 1 campsites in and around Chilham, of which 1 take tents. Are there dog-friendly campsites in Chilham? Yes — 1 of the 1 campsites we list in Chilham accept dogs, including Sunnyside Farm Chilham Certificated Site. Which campsites in Chilham have electric hook-up? 1 of the 1 campsites we list in Chilham offer an electric hook-up. Where can I stay in Chilham? We list 1 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Chilham. Where can I eat in Chilham? We list 2 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Chilham. ### 🏨 Find Hotels in Chilham Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DChilham%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore Chilham - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/chilham/restaurants) - [🗺️ More in Kent](https://staycation.co.uk/kent) - [🧭 All of the South East](https://staycation.co.uk/regions/south-east) ## Staycation ideas for Chilham [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-last-minute-staycations) [Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/rainy-day-staycations-uk) [The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/dog-friendly-staycations) [The Best UK Staycations for Families with Young Kids From New Forest ponies to Cornish rock pools, these six UK destinations combine easy logistics, safe beaches and family-friendly attractions for a stress-free break with young children.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-staycations-for-families)