Chilham

Coordinates: 51°14′35″N 0°57′35″E / 51.2431°N 0.9596°E / 51.2431; 0.9596

Chilham
Chilham Square
Chilham  Chilham shown within Kent
Population	1,595 [1]
OS grid reference	TR065535
Parish	Chilham
District	Ashford
Shire county	Kent
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	CANTERBURY
Postcode district	CT4
Dialling code	01227
Police	Kent
Fire	Kent
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Ashford
List of places: UK • England • Kent

Chilham is a parish in the English county of Kent. Visited by tourists worldwide, it is known for its beauty. Chilham has been a location for a number of films and television dramas. In particular it hosted the 1944 film by Michael Powell and Emeric Presburger, A Canterbury Tale (1944).

The village

Chilham is located in the valley of the Great Stour river, and beside the A28 road 6 miles (10 km) south of Canterbury. It is centered around an erstwhile market square, where until recently, a traditional annual May Day was celebrated; the Square and the village are transformed by market stalls and festivities. At each end of the square are its major buildings: Chilham Castle and the 15th century parish church, dedicated to St Mary. The White Horse Public House dates from the 16th century.

The village railway station is located on the line from Ashford to Canterbury. The part of the village where the station is located is Bagham.

Settlements

There are three settlements in the parish: Chilham, Shottenden and Old Wives Lees. The Neolithic longbarrow of Julliberrie's Grave is in the parish.

Amenities

There are two pubs, the Woolpack and the White Horse. Chilham Castle was owned by the Viscounts Massereene and Ferrard until it was sold in 1997. The present owner is Mr Stuart Wheeler.

The Church is a Norman structure and it is believed that Thomas Becket was buried in the churchyard. A walk around the church reveals the beautiful former Vicarage dating from 1742, just one example of the fine period houses in the village.

Other amenities include a restaurant and tea shop, post office and gift shop.

Culture and media

Chilham was also the location for the BBC's 2009 adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma^[2] In 1965 it was used for part of the filming of The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders starring Kim Novak, Leo McKern and Angela Lansbury.

References

1. ^ Ashford Borough Council Census 2001
2. ^ "Emma in Chilham". BBC Kent. http://www.bbc.co.uk/kent/content/articles/2009/04/16/chilham_emma_feature.shtml. Retrieved 17 April 2009. 

External links

• Chilham parish
• http://www.infobritain.co.uk/Chilham.htm

• http://www.vaughanfamilyhistorygroup.co.uk/chilham.htm