Despite the widespread loss of historic buildings across the country, replaced by towering blocks and sprawling housing estates, Kent still boasts 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.

Chilham is one such gem, nestled along the idyllic Great Stour River, a mere nine miles from the historic city of Canterbury.

More akin to a medieval hamlet than a 2025 village, Chilham’s charm lies in its impeccably maintained old-style wooden beam buildings, crowned with striking orange triangular roofs.

The village appears suspended 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 boasts a stunning medieval square, part of the Pilgrims Way, which is an essential stop for any visitor.

Chilham, like any medieval settlement worth its salt, is home to a castle. Although the castle itself is privately owned, its exquisite formal gardens and parkland are open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday during the season from May to September.

After exploring the village, two traditional pubs, the Woolpack Inn and The White Horse, offer ideal locations for a meal or a drink. Both establishments date back to the 16th century; the Woolpack offers everything from simple pub fare to hearty rustic dishes, while The White Horse has been awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award.

Patrons have lauded its ‘cosy and quirky atmosphere’ and ‘attentive service’.

As for property prices in the village, the average price of homes sold in Chilham over the past year stands at £596,250, according to Rightmove. Detached properties accounted for most sales, with an average price of £778,333, while semi-detached properties fetched an average of £414,167.

Truly, Chilham is ‘one of Britain’s greatest villages’.

The Telegraph made headlines last year with its definitive top 30 ranking of Britain’s most charming villages. The selection, curated by travel gurus, shone the spotlight on areas across the UK, lauding those quiet spots that have managed to dodge the pitfalls of ‘overtourism’ and maintain their tranquil allure.

The newspaper explained, “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.”

It highlighted Castle Combe in the Cotswolds and Polperro in Cornwall as prime examples where the influx of tourists has surged.

But The Telegraph assured 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.”

Distinctly, only Chilham from Kent nabbed a spot on this prestigious list.

The publication did not hold back praising Chilham’s idyllic qualities: “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.”

Another standout feature of the village is the impressive Jacobean mansion, constructed on the grounds of an eighth-century castle.