The Black Horse Inn

Hotels
8.8 (2106 reviews)
Pilgrims Way, Thurnham, Nr Maidstone , Maidstone , gb

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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Business center
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Comfortable rooms
Lovely food
Cons:
Issues with some amenities
Personal discomfort with mattress quality

Categories

Cleanliness
8.89
Overall cleanliness mentioned positively in many reviews, rooms described as clean.
Service
9.16
Staff described as friendly, welcoming, and helpful in various reviews.
Location
8.8
Great location for local walks and proximity to a lovely pub.
Room Quality
8.65
Rooms described as comfortable and well-equipped, with a personal touch.
Amenities
8.48
While some amenities were criticized (like unworking car chargers), the general atmosphere is pleasant.
Value for Money
8.64
Value perceived positively with regards to food and accommodation.
Food and Beverage
8.79
Food described as lovely with excellent breakfast options.
Overall Experience
8.96
Overall experience consistently positive, with many guests expressing desire to return.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 18:06

Property Description

Charming Rooms with Country-Style Decor
Individually styled rooms at The Black Horse Inn offer a cozy retreat with modern amenities including Freeview TV, ironing supplies, and tea/coffee facilities. The bright décor and private bathrooms ensure a comfortable stay.

Farm-to-Table Dining Experience
Enjoy a culinary delight at the on-site restaurant featuring a menu crafted from local and home-grown ingredients. The rustic ambiance with wooden beams and open fire adds to the charm. Don't miss out on the selection of Kentish cask ales at the bar and dine al fresco on the patio.

Scenic Surroundings and Outdoor Activities
Nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the inn provides access to picturesque walking trails and stunning scenery. With Leeds Castle just a short distance away and Maidstone's amenities nearby, The Black Horse Inn offers the perfect blend of relaxation and convenience.

To book your stay at The Black Horse Inn, experience the charm and serenity of rural Kent today.

Important information:

Please note that you need to reserve a table if you would like dinner. Children under 10 years are not allowed in the restaurant after 20:00.

The reception for guests is open Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 6pm and Sunday 8am to 12pm. When the reception is closed the keys can be collected from the pub/restaurant.

Breakfast is served Monday to Friday 07:00 to 09:30, and Saturday and Sunday 08:00 to 10:00.

If arriving by car, be careful when using satellite navigation. After M20 junction 7, as you come into the A249, most sat-nav systems will send you the wrong side of the Pilgrims Way. Please ensure you turn right into Detling Village, NOT left towards Boxley Village.

Check-in outside of the check-in times is not possible.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LCY

Property Policies

  • Parking

    Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).

  • Pets

    Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for £10 per person per night when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an existing bed.
    Children up to and including 12 years old stay for £20 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.8
Based on 2106 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.89
Service: 9.16
Location: 8.8
Room Quality: 8.65
Amenities: 8.48
Value for Money: 8.64
Food and Beverage: 8.79
Overall Experience: 8.96
C
Claudia • couple • it
9
Idyllisch und ruhig gelegen
Pros:

Ruhig gelegen, wir waren auf der Durchreise eine Nacht da. Sehr Hundefreundlich, konnten ihn sogar mitnehmen zum Frühstück. Auf Wunsch wurde uns sogar das Abendessen vom Pub bis zum Zimmer gebracht :) Kostenloser grosser Parkplatz.

Cons:

Eine Klimaanlage im Zimmer wäre super gewesen :)

2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
M
Marco • family_with_children • de
8
Ein toller Start in den Urlaub! Gerne wieder!!
2026-06-26 • via Nuitee
J
Jan • couple • nl
9
Prima doorreis locatie met authentieke engelse pub.
Pros:

De pub was reuze gezellig qua inrichting. De locatie is top als je doorreist.

Cons:

Niets.

2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
J
John • extended_group • gb
10
2026-06-25 • via Nuitee
Y
Yvonne • solo_traveller • nl
8
Pros:

Prachtige sfeervolle oude Inn, erg mooie locatie, heel vriendelijk personeel en heerlijk eten!
Fijne en mooie hotelkamer.

Cons:

Kleine tip: twee stoelen (ipv één) op de kamer zou fijn zijn!

2026-06-24 • via Nuitee
B
Barry • couple • gb
8
2026-06-24 • via Nuitee
S
Susan • extended_group • gb
9
Very good pub accommodation and food with excellent staff.
Pros:

Beautiful old pub with good accommodation facilities. Evening meal and breakfast was very good. The staff were very friendly and efficient.

Cons:

Confusing signs in the bedroom asking to turn on the fan over the bathroom door but there was no switch

2026-06-23 • via Nuitee
A
Ailsa • couple • gb
9
Very pleasant and comfortable place to stay.
Pros:

Useful location for stopping off for a ferry - once we had found it! Outside room was decent size. Great outdoor dining/ drinking area at pub.

Cons:

Some inconsiderate neighbours kept us awake late, but that’s not hotel’s fault. Very narrow approach road and we kept meeting oncoming traffic!

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
A
Alan • couple • nz
7
Peaceful and comofortable, but choose the more modern rooms
Pros:

Lovely peaceful location. Comfortable beds.

Cons:

Our first stay was in Block 5, which we now realise must be the newest. Lovely modern rooms and walk in showers.

Our second stay was in block 4. Rooms are more tired. Very old tv. Apps on it didn’t work. Shower over the bath not ideal.

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
R
Roland • extended_group • de
9
sehr zu empfehlen
Pros:

Frühstück und das Abendessen ist wirklich sehr gut

2026-06-22 • via Nuitee
M
margaret • couple • gb
10
Excellent, good food , very friendly staff ,
Pros:

Central to where we needed to be , clean comfortable, no issues very friendly staff

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-20 • via Nuitee
E
Eric • solo_traveller • gb
10
Cons:

Very practical motel style accommodation in a quiet location. Pub could do with being a bit cleaner in places but enjoyed eating there. Great views just a short walk up the road from the castle.

2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
G
GAIL • couple • be
9
Well worth a stay
Pros:

Gorgeous location

Cons:

Nothing

2026-06-19 • via Nuitee
S
Simon • couple • gb
7
Did the job . Breakfast very poor . Sausage was tasty . Egg very badly poached watery and tasteless. Beans cold , bacon
Pros:

Had enough amenities . .

Cons:

Basic and on a hill so tricky to walk up to and down . I have a prosthetic leg and no mention of cardiac hill on booking
Bed mattress needs changing as you can feel the springs and quite thin .

2026-06-18 • via Nuitee
A
Alastair • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

We arrived in a downpour having walked from Rochester with our dog, and were pleasantly surprised to find a dog towel, and a very helpful attitude

2026-06-17 • via Nuitee
M
MARTIN • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Ambience and restaurant. The whole package.

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • it
6
Pros:

Good looking cabins and a beautiful old pub. Staff friendly and attentive. Great walks and countryside nearby

Cons:

Very busy pub. Seemed like 75% of the place was car park. Not the tranquil quiet country pub depicted in the pictures, out of sinc with the surrounding area. Also no WiFi or phone signal in the cabin in stayed in

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
R
Robert • couple • gb
5
Great food and staff but tired accommodation
Pros:

The food and the staff

Cons:

Didn’t like living in a shed, hard bed, strange smell and a bit tired. No grab rail on the wall over the bath only on the side of the bath felt very unsteady having a shower and the bath mat needed replacing.

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
J
Jeanette • solo_traveller • gb
10
Our wonderful one night stay
Pros:

Wonderful welcome with an easy check-in process. The rooms were wonderful. The food at the pub was exceptional and the staff were excellent, attentive and friendly. Highly recommend

Cons:

Nothing.

2026-06-15 • via Nuitee
J
Jane • solo_traveller • gb
10
Good stop over for Leeds Castle visit
Pros:

Nice country pub with separate large rooms for accommodation.
Good stop off location for our trip to Leeds Castle

2026-06-14 • via Nuitee