Chilham Castle

Chilham Castle is a large house constructed in 1616 for Sir Dudley Digges, with subsequent additions and alterations carried out by David Brandon between 1861 and 1863, and by Sir Herbert Baker in 1922. The building is largely of red brick with ashlar dressings and a plain tile roof. It was originally designed as a hexagonal structure open to the south, with 19th and 20th century service wings extending to the west.

The entrance front is two and three storeys high with a basement, featuring string courses marking the first and second floors, battlements and three groups of tall chimneys. Corner turrets rise to three storeys, each topped with an ogee cupola. The fenestration is regular, consisting of four-light mullioned cross-windows, with single lights in the turrets, and a curving oriel window added in 1922 to the porch. The oak board front door is set within an ashlar surround, flanked by pilasters and topped with a frieze inscribed: "The Lord is my House of Defence and my Castle. Dudley Digges, A.D. 1616, Mary Kempe." The garden and other facades are of a similar design.

Inside, the restored panelled hall is accessed from the centre of one of the long sides, notable for its unusual overmantel. The interior features extensive linenfold and 18th century panelling. The original staircase rises over three flights, with arcades at the main levels. The flights run up open wells, supported by Tuscan columns below and Ionic columns above, with turned balusters. Several important chimney pieces made of Bethersden marble are still in place. The Banqueting Hall, added by Baker, was initially built as a swimming pool, designed as a copy of Caligula’s baths at Carrara.