The Black Horse Inn

Hotels
8.8 (2263 reviews)
Pilgrims Way, Thurnham, Nr Maidstone , Maidstone , GB

Free
Children 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

Location

Guest Reviews

8.8
Based on 2263 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
A
Alistair • couple • gb
10
Pros:

It is a lovely place, accommodation and staff amazing. Could not fault it.

Cons:

Having to leave

2026-10-14 • via Nuitee
G
Gillian • couple • gb
9
A little gem tucked away but close to Maidstone
Pros:

Staff, food and location all excellent

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
A
Alicia • family_with_children • gb
8
Great affordable family accommodation
Pros:

This is our second stay, great location for us.
Nice food.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
A
Andy • extended_group • gb
10
Short stay in a lovely location
Pros:

Lovely short stay prior to taking on the ultra marathon nearby. The hotel rooms are separate from the pub. The room itself was very spacious and clean and the bathroom was brand new/modern and very clean. The beds were comfy, there is complimentary tea/coffee/biscuits as well as showergel. There is ample parking and the pub itself was delightful. The staff were very friendly throughout. Overall, we thought it was great value for the money as well.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
M
Marie • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

Beds were comfy nice size shower rooms, nice and clean.
Food was lovely and generous amount for price on dinner menu.
Bath towels was big and thick.

Cons:

Tv in rooms were really small would have been nice to have a slightly bigger tv for a larger family room.
Somehwere to hang towels to dry out for the next day as they stayed damp.
The option to have an extra bit of bacon or extra egg at breakfast as it was only 1 tem each so not a lot when you don't eat everything or if you like a big breaky.
Lots of switches in the rooms for lights was pretty dark still with all of them on.

2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
V
victorine • couple • gb
7
served its purpose
Pros:

breakfast

Cons:

shabby bathroom, shower didn't have adequate shower screen water went everywhere

2026-10-10 • via Nuitee
H
Helen • solo_traveller • nl
9
Als altijd fantastisch!
Pros:

Lokatie

Cons:

Nvt

2026-10-09 • via Nuitee
T
Tracey • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

Everything was perfect from locally sourced wine and food, fabulous dishes, perfect location and wonderful facilities. Staff were friendly and helpful. Couldn't fault it. Totally recommend.

Cons:

There was nothing to dislike.

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
A
Andy • solo_traveller • gb
7
Great location,Food and atmosphere but accommodation could be better
Pros:

The pub has great character and very popular with locals and travellers alike.

Cons:

It’s a great location with great staff, Accommodation is dated, Door lock didn’t work , The tv was hung on the wall around the corner and fully booked so very busy.

2026-10-08 • via Nuitee
D
David • family_with_children • gb
10
2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
R
Russell • couple • fr
9
2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
M
Mary • solo_traveller • gb
7
Pros:

Breakfast was great as we're all the meals we had.

Cons:

Bit away from everything but fab if you like quiete and views or walking the Pilgrims Way.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
C
Christian • family_with_children • gb
8
Great place , excellent food
Pros:

Great out-of-the-way location for an overnight stay. The pub was welcoming, and the staff were brilliant, especially at breakfast time with our 2 dogs, as they were made very welcome, which made my daughter's day.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
B
Barton • solo_traveller • gb
10
A very enjoyable stay
Pros:

I like being able to parky car right outside of my room as I am disabled.

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
A
Andrew • solo_traveller • gb
7
Great staff and location. Rooms a bit basic.
Pros:

Staff were all very friendly and helpful. Location was nice, good walks nearby. Quiet rooms except for people in adjoining room crashing the doors early in the morning.

Cons:

Hard bed. Shower was leaky and loo seat was loose. Not much hanging space for clothes.

2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
J
John • solo_traveller • au
9
Pros:

Extremely clean second stay here this year would certainly stay again but would request a room to avoid cardiac hill!

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
F
Fam Averink • solo_traveller • nl
8
Pros:

Het bed

Cons:

Badkamer: zeer schoon maar gedateerd. We hadden de kamer voor mindervaliden.

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • extended_group • gb
4
Not as good as previous years
Pros:

Breakfast was very good. Plenty of choice

Cons:

The room we stayed in wasn't to a good standard. The bathroom was disappointing the flooring in the main room was scruffy looking.
On my previous visit I was given a key to a room that was already occupied and walked in to a gentleman asleep on the bed. Whilst checking in this time a guest came to reception to say she had been given a key to a room that was already occupied

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
I
ivana • couple • gb
10
5* location, parking , safety, excellent place
Pros:

Absolutely everything. Super Easy check in / out. Spacious accommodation with front door- could just let my pets out straight away without worry. We travelled to France - Excellent location / very safe and super easy.
Thank you for looking after us

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
J
Jen • extended_group • gb
9
2026-09-14 • via Nuitee