Grade I Heritage Walk: Walking to Chilham Castle from The King’s Head — 4.2-Mile Circular via Chilham

TR 0653-0753 7/43 CHILHAM Chilham Castle 13.10.52 GV I House. 1616 for Sir Dudley Digges, additions and alterations by David Brandon 1861-63, and Sir Herbert Baker,1922. Red brick and ashlar dressings and plain tile roof. Built as an hexagon open to the south, with C19 and C20 service wing extending to the west. Entrance front: two storeys and basement, with string courses to first and second floors and battlements, three groups of tall chimneys; three storey corner turrets with ogee cupolas, and central three storey gabled porch. Regular fenestration of four mullioned cross-windows, with single lights in the turrets, and curving oriel (1922) in porch. Oak board doorway in ashlared surround with flanking pilasters and frieze over inscribed “The Lord is my House of Defence and my Castle. Dudley Digges, A.D. 1616, Mary Kempe.” The garden and other fronts are of similar design. Interior: restored panelled hall entered in centre of one long side, an unusual overmantel. Much linenfold and C18 panelling elsewhere. Staircase original, of three flights, with arcades at main levels; flights running up open wells, with Tuscan columns below and Ionic above, with turned balusters. Some important Bethersden marble chimney pieces in situ. The Banqueting Hall in the wing by Baker was originally a swimming pool, a copy of Caligula’s baths at Carrara. Listing NGR: TR0669553487