Chilham Castle
Chilham Castle, Chilham, CT4 8DB
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1071304
- Date first listed:
- 13-Oct-1952
- List Entry Name:
- Chilham Castle
- Statutory Address:
- Chilham Castle, Chilham, CT4 8DB
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- I
- List Entry Number:
- 1071304
- Date first listed:
- 13-Oct-1952
- List Entry Name:
- Chilham Castle
- Statutory Address 1:
- Chilham Castle, Chilham, CT4 8DB
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- Chilham Castle, Chilham, CT4 8DB
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Kent
- District:
- Ashford (District Authority)
- Parish:
- Chilham
- National Grid Reference:
- TR 06687 53479
Details
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
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 181415
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Newman, J, The Buildings of England: North East and East Kent, (1969)
Country Life in Country Life, Vol. 55, (1939)
Other
Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England, Part 24 Kent,
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 12-Jun-2026 at 23:23:36.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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