Chilham Castle, Manor house and castle in Chilham, England
Chilham Castle is a hexagonal Jacobean manor house with crenellated parapets and brick chimneys in Kent. The estate centers on a Norman keep that rises prominently beside the later residence, creating a striking architectural contrast.
The Norman keep was built in 1174 on the site of a much earlier Anglo-Saxon fortress from the 7th century. The hexagonal manor house was added much later, layering different periods of English architectural tradition on the same ground.
The site has served as a backdrop for film and television productions over the decades, reflecting its appeal as a striking residence for storytellers. Visitors can sense this cinematic history woven into the layers of the estate itself.
The grounds spread across hundreds of acres with gardens and woodland offering several walking routes of varying difficulty. Visitors should allow time to explore the different areas and wear suitable footwear for the terrain.
The Norman keep has remained continuously occupied as a residence since its construction nearly 850 years ago. This unbroken habitation gives it a living quality rare among medieval military structures across Britain.
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