Through The Gates, Chilham

This is a bit of a back blip. Work was so quiet again this week that I decided I might as well take Thursday off as there was nothing to do. Our intention was to head to Folkestone as the day looked like it was going to be sunny and beautiful. Unfortunately, as we headed nearer our intended destination the grey, cold weather descended again so we decided to stop at Chilham instead for lunch.
Chilham is one of those places that feels like the quintessential English village. This is enhanced even more by the fact that it sits atop a hill where the only access is via two very steep narrow lanes. At it's apex sits the very striking Chilham Castle which is in fact a Jacobean manor house completed by Sir Dudley Digges in 1616. Sadly it was closed for the winter but I thought it made for an interesting image, especially shot through the ornate iron gates.
Before we went for lunch we thought we should go for a walk around and inside the local church, St. Mary's. We were not disappointed as it was magnificent inside with beautiful stained glass windows. We met and talked to one of the church wardens who told us it's size and grandeur was due to it being on the route of the Pilgrim's Way. She told us it was still a stopping off point for them today and, because it had a kitchen and toilets, they were allowed to stay overnight if need be.
Soon enough our hunger pangs became more urgent (we hadn't partaken of any breakfast) so we headed to the Woolpack Inn at the bottom of one of the steep lanes. It has recently been refurbished and is under new management so we didn't know exactly what to expect. It turned out to be wonderful. The food and drink (three sharing plates and a beer each), atmosphere and the friendly staff could not have been bettered. Sometimes the unexpected turns out to be just as great as the intended.
We had a great day!