Chilston Home Farm
An amazing character Kent countryside farm house with flexible sleeping accommodation for 2 to 9 people
​
Boasting a choice of two romantic king-size, four poster bed rooms, one with an en-suite, another king-size bed room, a twin bed room, and a single bedroom, a separate family bathroom with a slipper bath and shower cabin with bodyjets
​
For the Masterchefs, a country farmhouse kitchen with a traditional AGA range as well as the usual modern electric cooker, microwave, posh coffee maker, and a separate dining room with an inglenook fireplace and woodstove
​
In the living room, relax in front of a cosy log fire on the deep comfy sofas, and watch the HUGE flatscreen TV with a choice of 500 movies from our DVD library
​
For those who like the outdoors, the area is popular with walkers and cyclists and has great cycling routes. OS Maps are provided and immediately opposite is 50 acres of public heath & parkland to explore
In the evenings, you don't have to go out to the movies as the house has its own boutique mini cinema in the basement that seats 4-7 people with an 80-inch proper projection screen and amazing surround sound system. Bring your own movie or watch one from our 500 DVD collection. Also the cellars have darts & a pool table
​
For the talented, we have a dedicated music room with a piano, guitar and drums.
Medieval Lenham village is nearby with its pubs, tea room and restaurants
Chilston Home Farm is flexible to enjoy as a spacious and romantic destination for a just a couple, or a larger group of family or friends, bride and bridesmaids, or a group of old friends just getting together.
​
ROOMS
Depending on your device, Scroll, click buttons, arrows or swipe room pictures sideways to see lots more
FACILITIES
We know that you will want to spend your holiday in a warm and comfortable house that has all the facilities of home. Well, Chilston Home Farm has those and more! The two main reception rooms have cosy, log burning stoves and we supply unlimited amounts of firewood. There's central heating and, if you look in each bedside cabinet, a hot water bottle just in case. In the kitchen, the AGA is the heart of the home and is always on, so if you like baking, you will love this!
There's a big TV in the sitting room but if you want to go the whole hog, you can watch the 80-inch projection screen in the cute cinema in the cellar, bathed in surround sound (there's also central heating, and two tiered sofas for your comfort). The huge DVD collection should keep everyone in your party entertained, young and old.
Also in the cellar, there's a pool table (and a TV in case you want to watch the footie or something as you play) and a darts board.
If you prefer to make your own entertainment, the music room has a piano, a drum kit and a guitar. Bring your own instruments and jam! There's also a big desk with an old Imperial typewriter and a nice view, if you want to make a start on your novel. We've got lots of books if you prefer to tuck yourself away with a good read.
There's also a good selection of games and jigsaws for all the family. Why would you even need the mountain bikes?
​
On a practical note, the kitchen is fully equipped. We top up the kitchen roll, tin foil and cling film supplies; salt and pepper; tea, coffee and sugar; olive oil, a selection of spices and sundry other basics. There's a dishwasher for which we provide tablets, a washing machine with powder and fabric conditioner, and a tumble dryer.
​
We supply bed linen, towels and tea towels, toilet rolls, liquid soap and a variety of cleaning items. There's also an iron and ironing board in case you are heading out to a wedding or other such "do". We live next door, so if there is anything you're missing, we can almost certainly supply it or source it.
​
Summer visitors can enjoy morning coffee or luch at the little bistro table in the south-facing courtyard, or bask in the deckchairs on the lawn. There are a couple of picnic tables which can be moved around as the sun circles the house, and a purpose-built BBQ platform to take disposable BBQs.
​
There's parking for three cars on the grass by the main gate into the yard. If you have more than three cars arriving, please ask and we can arrange extra spaces in the pub opposite.
​
L
THINGS TO DO
Walking: There are plenty of lovely walks in the area, whether you follow the well-trodden Pilgrim's Way or the lesser known Greensand Way. You can stick to the lanes around the house or go "off piste". Directly across the road is the entrance to 50 acres of public parkland which you will have almost to yourself apart from the occasional grazing sheep and rabbits. It used to be part of the grand estate of Chilston Park (now a hotel) but was separated from the ancient manor house by the M20 and now the HS1 railtrack. If you like trainwatching, you can get very close to the action! The site is dotted with specimen trees such as the Scots pines planted early in the 20th century and now coming to the end of their lives. The new custodians (The Heaths Countryside Corridor) are gradually replacing them. There's also the remains of the ice house (the innovation that was replaced by refridgerators) and its accompanying ice pond, from which blocks would be cut in winter to cool the food in summer. Following the Heaths Countryside Corridor, you can walk a good couple of miles to the former quarry at Bull Hill, which is another area where dogs can run free and you can explore.
Sights to see: There are lots of places to visit, from Leeds Castle and Sissinghurst, to shopping at Ashford's designer outlet centre or Bluewater, and the atmospheric Romney Marshes or the White Cliffs and the coast. From Ashford you can take the EuroStar to Paris, Lille or Bruges for the day, while Lenham statioin has hourly trains to London.
​
Activities: For the more adventurous, Headcorn aerodrome has parachuting and flying lessons.
Around and About: Lenham village has a traditional tea shop, a cute coffee shop, a Chinese takeaway, a chip shop, and two pubs. There's also a bakery, butcher, greengrocer, general store, newsagent and wine specialist, as well as a florist and a chemist.It's about 20 minutes away on foot. Bring your own bike or hire one of ours.
​
We also offer secure cycle storage, and cleaning facilities for those bringing bikes.
GUEST REVIEWS
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Do I need to bring towels and linen?
A, No, we supply towels, sheets and duvets
​
Q My best friend is my dog; can he come too?
A We are pet friendly, but you must ask first. We normally charge an extra £20 per pet and limit them to three. They must be very well behaved, and fully house trained. They are not allowed on the furniture or upstairs at all, and must be kept in the kitchen if damp. They are allowed in the garden and the yard (keep the five-bar gate closed) but we ask that you quickly clear up after them outside. We have 50 arcres of parkland opposite where they can be walked (or exercised off the lead, unless there are animals grazing).
Q Where is the nearest train station?
A. Lenham station is one mile away. It is walkable (allow half an hour), but if you need a taxi you will need to book one in advance. Charlie has an 8-seater minibus - his number is 07769 780149
​
Q Will my aged parents / young children be able to cope with the stairs?
A The house, being a period property, does have quite a few stairs. The main staircase is wide, but there are also three steps down to the kitchen, another one down to the scullery, and several from the back door into the yard. Upstairs, there is one step to the back bedroom, and two down to the family bathroom. The en-suite is up one step from the front bedroom. The attic staircase, which gives access to the single and twin bedrooms is steep and winding. This is not suitable for everyone, so if this might be a concern, please ask in advance. It is possible for us to move one of the twin beds to one of the first floor bedrooms, especially if you have a young child you prefer to sleep with you. We also have stair gates, so please ask us to fit them in advance.
Sadly, this is a Grade II listed building and very old, and it really isn't suitable for wheelchair users
​
Q Child facilities
A We don't have children ourselves (although Liz's brother has just adopted three, so we're learning) so we would suggest you give us a ring to discuss any child facilities you might require. We have stair gates!
​
Q We want to have a party, is that OK?
A We understand that on holiday you would like to have a good time, but please take care of the house as it is very old, and respect our neighbours who are quite close by in this small hamlet. By all means, sit out in the garden in the evenings but please keep the noise to a minimum after 10pm. We do not tolerate drunken parties or any rowdy behaviour and loud swearing whatsoever. We would ask you to refrain from loud music or drum playing after 10pm - keep the windows shut and the noise inside. The house is fantastic for a murder mystery party or dinner party.
​
Q What cooking facilities are there?
A The house has an AGA, and a standard electric oven and hob. Ask Liz for tips on how to cook with the AGA. There is also a kettle, toaster, microwave, pots, pans, dishwasher etc. Most of the big supermarkets deliver out to us, but please buy food and goods from the local independent shops in the village where possible to support the local community. We can arrange a local chef to cook for you in the kitchen if you want pampering!
Q Where are the nearest places to eat?
A.Lenham has two pubs, a chip shop, a Chinese takeaway and restaurant, a coffe shop that's also a wine bar, and a tea shop. You can book lunch and dinner at Chilston Park Hotel , or just pop in for morning coffee or afternoon tea. There's an Indian resaurant and takeaway at Harrietsham. Popular foodie pubs include the Pepper Box at Ulcombe, the Windmill at Hollingbourne and The Smarden Bell. Or try Stramaccio Italiano at Elvey Farm near Egerton. On summer afternoons, afternoon teas are served in the churchyard up the hill at Boughton Malherbe.
​
Q, Can I bring extra guests?
A. For fire regulations, we must know how many people are in the house and therefore you must ask in advance . If extra guests stay overnight you will be charged extra as the house is charged per person.