A Cold Day In Chilham

When my sister suggested Chilham she thought that I had visited the place before and was surprised when I said no, this is my first visit. So was I surprised when suddenly after a walk from a convenient car park accessed from the A252 the village square opened up and I realised how old the place must be. My camera worked overtime clicking shots of the ancient buildings, the church and the mistletoe hanging in the trees. I thought of Druids and wondered how the heck they were going to climb up and harvest the stuff wearing those funny robes. We did a quick tour of the village square and the churc - quick because it was getting near lunch time - and took our ease in the White Horse Inn. Note that the Inn is at the entrance to the churchyard which I think is the best arrangement for two such establishments. The one to nurture the soul and the other to help sustain the body.

On the right is the approach from the car park at the bottom of Turners Hill showing one of the older houses of which there are too many to describe. The suggestion being that although Chilham may be crwoded out with visitors in the summer months it is well worth a visit. We spent a little time in the square and around the village climbing the streets starting in the square itself taking a look at the castle grounds through the gate and then past the White Horse Inn to the magn ificent church down into the graveyard and up again to discover some alleyways that led past the rear gardens of bungalows. These were delightful, although modern brick, with gardens in square spaces between the houses that are neatly cultivated and down through the housing to the Woolpack Inn. Frome there we climbed back up to the square and had luinch In the White Horse.

I can recommend the White Horse as a place to lunch. It has a menu that covers most tastes and is affordable. The atmosphere is pleasant with a mixture of, as my sister put it, space for people who just want a pint and for those who want a meal. The pint was nice. The food tasty with the advantage that most of the food is local and they offer organic meat and free range chickens and eggs. I like that.

Outside ye olde village shoppe, the only place apart from the pubs and the post office shop that was open. Chilham goes into winter mode and closes down which is a pity because the tea shop has a reputation for excellent cream teas; a must for tourists and local visitors. However, on this cold day a warming meal and a pint or some coffee was a good idea and aof course a walk around the place.

We took off after lunch past the White Horse and down to the A252 where it is crossed by the North Downs Way and walked along the road back toward Challock. We had a look at the Chilham village hall and was suitably impressed. From there we turned off along Dane Street which promised a by-way that led us up the hill to the North Downs Way once more giving us some woodland views and some views of the Stour valley in winter. The soft colors subdued by the winter sunshine and the misty air gives the countryside a golden glow in late January and once we had warmed up we could appreciate the beauty.

On the way up from the main road we looked back and caught this view of the farmlands and hills we had left behind at the road. The contrast of dark winter shade under the trees and the sunlight playing on the delicate shapes of the bare trees below with the hills in the distance added a pleasure to the walk that is not to be missed. Bear in mind this is an observation from a man who likes the hot sun and and trees full of leaves this is rare praise indeed. But as always there are some views that detract from the beauty of a place and the ancient monument discovered on the way was a disappointment. However we carried on and walked through woodlands and down along the North Downs Way back to Chilham and again we were treated to a typical rural sight. Soft lit hills harrowwed and ready for spring and two oast houses caught by the sun against background of the downs. A walk worth doing and in the afternoon given that the sun gave up a little after four and the cold became a little more intense we were glad to get back to Chilham after what was a stroll of some four or five kilometres.

I have spent a little more time on Chilham because although I would like to put more photos of the village on the blog I think the place deserves a visit. Too much from me would take the pleasure away from you and spoil your surprise. If, like me, you had not visited Chilham then I recommend going as soon as you can and enjoy what I have. And secretly I think Chilham is my sister's favorite place and she was pleased to carry me there and show the place off.