Chilham is one of the prettiest villages in Kent, and its castle is the reason most people make the detour. Chilham Castle sits in 330 acres of grounds designed by Capability Brown, with sculpted terraces, a wilderness garden hidden behind yew hedges, and a lake you can reach by footbridge or rowing boat. Below the terraces there’s even a working vineyard, a collaboration with the Champagne house Taittinger, with a seasonal wine bar for warmer months.
Beyond the castle grounds, the village itself is worth the visit alone — a square of timbered houses and antique shops that looks almost untouched, with a proper village pub if you fancy lunch before or after. It’s the kind of place you photograph without really trying.
Because the castle is a private residence, visits are generally by appointment or during scheduled open days and events, so it’s worth checking ahead before you set off. Late spring is the best time to go, when the wilderness garden is thick with bluebells and the terraces are at their tidiest, but a crisp autumn afternoon has its own quiet charm. Either way, leave time to wander the village afterwards — it’s easily missed if you rush.
