Chilham Castle is a Jacobean manor house and keep in the village of Chilham, between Ashford and Canterbury in the county of Kent, England. The keep is of Norman origin and dates to 1174, although it may have been built on an older Anglo-Saxon fortification. The manor house was completed in 1616 for Sir Dudley Digges.
English country houseGrade I listed buildingc. 1612
Visiting this summer
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
▾
🐦76+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Chaffinch and Woodpigeon
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
🌤️ Visiting this summer
🐦76+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Chaffinch and Woodpigeon
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days
Good to know
🐕Dogs welcome
Best for
7 activities
🦅
Bird watching
Very strong match
Birds — Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit +73 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland — woodpeckers, warblers and woodland birds
Free
✦
Heritage
Very strong match
Grade I listed building: Chilham Castle; Historic site with public access
Free
🦉
Wildlife
Strong match
Birds — Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blue Tit +73 more · last seen 2026; Deciduous woodland priority habitat
Free
🌿
Foraging
Strong match
Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants
Varies
🦋
Insect spotting
Strong match
Traditional orchard — specialist orchard insects and lichens; Insects — Lesser Stag Beetle, Green Tiger Beetle, Harlequin Ladybird +7 more · last seen 2026
Free
🐶
Dog walks
Good match
Dogs allowed with public access
Free
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km
🚶
Walking
▾
6 signed routes nearby · 6 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Stour Valley WalkWalking route▾
Named routeListed length 82.9 kmRegional walking route
North Downs Way (Canterbury loop)Walking route▾
Named routeNational walking route
Augustine CaminoWalking route▾
Named routeRegional walking route
Kent County Council Centenary WalkWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
Beech Walk & SculpturesWalking route▾
Named routeLocal walking route
Long Hillpublic footpath · 371 m▾
Public pathpublic footpathLength 371 mSurface asphaltPath type: unclassified
🚴
Cycling
▾
25 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
NCN National Route 18Cycling route▾
Named routeRef 18National Cycle Network
Great Stour WayCycling route▾
Named routeNational Cycle Network
Pilgrims Cycle TrailCycling route▾
Named routeRegional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route1.3 km▾
Named routeRef 18Length 1.3 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route738 m▾
Named routeRef 18Length 738 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route395 m▾
Named routeRef 18Length 395 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt
🐴
Horse riding
▾
9 public paths nearby
Public paths
Dane Streetbyway open to all traffic · 178 m▾
Public pathbyway open to all trafficLength 178 mSurface asphaltPath type: track
