A Guide to Exploring Vineyards from Chilham
Chilham is a storybook Kentish village with a Tudor square, timber-framed houses, and a castle at its centre. It’s small and very walkable, yet surrounded by vineyards that welcome visitors — making it a perfect low-key base if you want to combine wine touring with a dose of history and easy access to Canterbury and the Stour Valley countryside.
Located just outside Canterbury in the heart of the Kent Downs, Chilham feels like stepping into a postcard: a quiet village square framed by historic buildings, a Norman castle above, and the gentle river Stour meandering through farmland. Its compact size and excellent rail connection make it an unusually accessible rural base for exploring eastern Kent’s wine country.
The surrounding vineyard landscape mixes long-established estates with newer producers, particularly those crafting still and sparkling wines from classic varieties like Bacchus, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Several of these estates welcome visitors for tastings, cellar-door sales, and guided tours, creating an appealing blend of boutique and artisan wine experiences within a small radius.
Best times to visit
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Spring (April–May): Blossom season across orchard and vine alike, with quieter vineyard tours and cool weather perfect for countryside walks.
Summer (June–August): Village events and festivals take place in the square, while walking routes such as the Stour Valley Way are at their best.
Autumn (September–October): Harvest season brings extra activity at vineyards like Chartham and Simpsons, while countryside colour and cooler air make walks especially rewarding.
Winter (November–February): Chilham becomes quieter, but pubs and castle grounds retain atmospheric charm, and some vineyards continue tastings through the season.
The vineyards near Chilham
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The Chilham area benefits from a cluster of approachable vineyards within short driving distance, each offering a slightly different experience.
Domaine Evremond
A new vineyard near Chilham with a visitor programme beginning in 2025, focusing on classic method sparkling wines grown on chalk soils in partnership with historic French wine expertise.
Chartham Vineyard
A family-run vineyard offering cellar-door access, guided tours, and tastings of estate still and sparkling wines on Saturdays and by pre-booked tour, often paired with art gallery visits.
Simpsons Wine Estate
A well-regarded Kent producer with vineyard and winery tours plus guided tastings, showing both still and sparkling wines from the North Downs.
Westwell Wines
Boutique estate on the North Downs offering tours, tastings, and cellar-door experiences, where visitors can walk the vineyard and sample current wines.
Elham Valley Vineyard
One of the longstanding vineyards in the Kent Downs, with a garden walkway and tasting opportunities that combine wine with a sense of place and community.
Vineyards to visit from Chilham
Map
What else is there to do in Chilham?
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- Visit Chilham Castle and its historic grounds, open for select events and tours.
- Stroll through the Tudor square, widely regarded as one of Kent’s prettiest.
- Walk sections of the Stour Valley Way, which runs through the village and countryside.
- Use Chilham as a base to explore nearby Canterbury, just 10 minutes away by train or car.
Where to eat and drink in Chilham
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- Budget: Shelly’s Tea Rooms — classic scones, cakes, and light lunches in the square.
- Create a splash: The White Horse — a traditional pub with hearty seasonal menus.
- Push the boat out: Head into Canterbury for fine dining — for example, the Michelin-starred The Fordwich Arms with an excellent English wine list.
For self-catering, nearby farm shops and wine merchants in Canterbury stock local bottles and picnic supplies.
Where to stay
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The Woolpack Inn — a 600-year-old inn with cosy rooms, from around £110.
Evenhill Hotel (Canterbury outskirts) — relaxed inn from around £120.
Boutique B&Bs in the square or nearby countryside, from around £90.
More locations for a vineyard break
Petworth
Vibe: Historic, Antiques, Parkland