This picturesque village has served as the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows
Despite the nationwide loss of historic buildings, replaced by towering blocks and sprawling housing estates, Kent still retains pockets of preserved history that transport visitors back in time. Some villages are so steeped in antiquity, one might feel as though they’ve arrived via a Tardis rather than conventional transport.
One such gem is Chilham, nestled along the idyllic Great Stour River, just nine miles from the historic city of Canterbury. More akin to a medieval hamlet than a 2026 village, Chilham’s charm lies in its impeccably maintained old-style wooden beam buildings, topped with striking orange triangular roofs.
The village seems frozen in time, its authentic Tudor aesthetic lending itself perfectly to the silver screen. It has served as the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows, including Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, Agatha Christie’s ‘Miss Marple’, ‘Poirot’, ‘A Canterbury Tale’ and even ‘Top Gear’.
Surrounded by stunning countryside, Chilham isn’t just a stone’s throw from Canterbury – it’s also the starting point for several local walks and pilgrimage routes. The Pilgrims Way, a path trodden by many religious devotees heading to Canterbury Cathedral, winds its way through this picturesque village.
The revered English martyr, St Thomas Beckett, is believed to be interred in the local churchyard after his remains were relocated following the destruction of his Canterbury Cathedral grave during the Reformation. The village also features a breathtaking medieval square, part of the Pilgrims Way, which is a must-visit for any tourist.
Like any self-respecting medieval settlement, Chilham houses a castle. While the castle itself is privately owned, its stunning formal gardens and parkland are open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday during the season from May to September, reports the Express.
After wandering around the village, two traditional pubs, the Woolpack Inn and The White Horse, provide perfect spots for a meal or a drink. Both establishments have roots dating back to the 16th century; the Woolpack serves everything from simple pub grub to hearty rustic dishes, while The White Horse has been honoured with a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.
Customers have praised its ‘cosy and quirky atmosphere’ and ‘attentive service’. Regarding property prices in the village, the average price of homes sold in Chilham over the past year is £580,250, as per Rightmove. Detached properties made up the majority of sales, fetching an average price of £763,333, while semi-detached properties commanded an average of £475,583.
Indeed, Chilham is hailed as ‘one of Britain’s greatest villages’. Last year, The Telegraph grabbed headlines with its definitive top 30 ranking of Britain’s most enchanting villages.
The selection, compiled by travel experts, highlighted areas across the UK, praising those serene spots that have successfully avoided the drawbacks of ‘overtourism’ and preserved their peaceful charm. The newspaper noted: “Britain has no shortage of eye-catching villages, but a combination of good looks, convenience for day trippers and a few influential endorsements can be enough to turn what was once a peaceful retreat into an overtourism battleground inundated with selfie stick-wielding tourists from April till October.”
Castle Combe in the Cotswolds and Polperro in Cornwall were singled out as key examples where visitor numbers have soared. However, The Telegraph reassured readers: “Fortunately, there are still plenty of beautiful but uncrowded British villages that do retain their authentic character, where medieval pubs and churches remain the beating heart of the community, and where welcoming shopkeepers stock treats from local producers.”
Notably, Chilham in Kent was the only location from the county to secure a place on this coveted list. The publication lavished praise on Chilham’s charm: “There’s a medieval square lined by pleasingly wonky timber-frame buildings, two good pubs, a cute tea room, a post office and a historic church that was the last known resting place of the shrine of St Augustine after the Reformation.”
The village is also home to a striking Jacobean mansion, built on the site of an eighth-century castle.
