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
P
PHILIP solo_traveller gb
9
Pros:

Nice old pub, good food, good beer, friendly staff. Good off road parking for motorcycles.

Cons:

Nothing really.

2026-08-29 via Nuitee
A
Andrew solo_traveller gb
10
2026-08-29 via Nuitee
A
andrew solo_traveller gb
9
gret atmosphere, food v good. easy access. PArking excellent
Pros:

Room very clean and v quiet. V comfortable

2026-08-29 via Nuitee
F
Florea solo_traveller ro
9
Pros:

Clean, nice location

Cons:

Food expensive and menu limited

2026-08-29 via Nuitee
R
Robert couple gb
8
2026-08-28 via Nuitee
P
Patrick couple be
8
Excellent repas, joli endroit
Pros:

Qualité du pub et personnel agreable et belle terrasse

Cons:

Qualité/confort insuffisant de la baignoire/douche et surtout robinets pas fixes dans chambre double (par rapport a mon experience en chambre twin douche)

2026-08-28 via Nuitee
A
alexander solo_traveller gb
10
Unique venue, a quiet retreat with friendly staff
Pros:

Adjacent parking, super friendly staff. Comfy spacious room with break out area. Hotel available for meals- extensive menu with locally sourced produce. Lovely garden for meals/relaxing.

Cons:

Wet room is a super resource for less able guests but I still have to ‘get’ the technique. As floor to door remains wet after short shower and loo is in shared space..

2026-08-27 via Nuitee
A
Andy solo_traveller be
9
Pros:

Accessibility rooms are excellent.

2026-08-27 via Nuitee
M
Mareeloulou Friends getaway Holbury, Hampshire, England
10
Couldn't have been better looked after
Pros:

Wonderful atmosphere. Great space. Comfortable clean spacious rooms. Food amazing. Service fantastic. We were a large group and were well catered for. Will definatly recommend and go again. Thank you so much.

2026-08-26 via Tripadvisor
P
Paolo solo_traveller it
9
Posto migliore che potessi trovare dopo 4 giorni di cammino sul pilgrim way
Pros:

Buona colazione, buona cucina alla sera, staff molto cordiale, educato ed attento. Posizione ottima, vicino al centro e silenzioso

2026-08-26 via Nuitee
A
Adrienne couple nl
7
A bit disappointing
Pros:

the pub is beautiful and atmospheric. Big nice breakfast, good food in the restaurant.

Cons:

The reception automatically added four breakfasts to my room, even though I had booked without, and I had specifically mentioned that we only wanted breakfast on the second day, but were happy to pay separately. There are a lot of rooms in annexes, so you are not sleeping in the pub itself. The room was noisy. You could clearly hear the next door guests showering, and talking. The bathroom was in need of an upgrade. There was a note to hang towels on the door if you wanted to reuse them, and then there was no hook to hang them. The site mentions it is a four star, but it is not. It is barely three star in my opinion.

2026-08-26 via Nuitee
P
PatriciaV97 extended_group nl
10
Super locatie
Pros:

Prachtige locatie, heerlijk eten, mooi terras, leuke kamers

2026-08-25 via Nuitee
L
Louis couple nl
9
Mooie accomodatie
Pros:

Pub en restaurant zijn geweldig. Kamers zijn uitstekend. P{ersoneel is vriendelijk.

2026-08-24 via Nuitee
T
TERESA solo_traveller gb
9
Stunning location for a perfect stay
Pros:

The room was spacious and clean with comfortable bed, good tea/coffee provided and toiletries. Ample parking available and a warm welcome was extended. Nice maps showing the area and walking routes in an outstanding area of natural beauty, a really stunning location, The food and service available at the pub was first class with plenty of choice, including vegetarian, and locally sourced food freshly cooked on the premises. The pub itself had kept all it's original charm, beautifully decorated and even included fresh flowers on the tables.

Cons:

The lower buildings require quite a steep walk up a hill, unless you drive up, but it keeps you fit. Would have been good to have a fridge in the room.

2026-08-24 via Nuitee
O
Oriana couple be
7
Pros:

Room was spacious and clean but the toilet wasn’t cleaned. Very cozy pub with good food and friendly staff.

Cons:

Toilet wasn’t cleaned and pour sound insulation. Actually dó like the property and was our second time over but it was a Saturday night and (therefore?) pricier so less good value for money given the remarks

2026-08-23 via Nuitee
D
Diane solo_traveller gb
10
Great country pub for food and to stay.
Pros:

Fabulous food (such as skate wing as a fish special), and also, they had several GF options. There is plenty of seating inside in lovely snugg spaces and also extensive outdoor seating. The staff were both very professional and friendly. Also, 2 GF beers were available on tap at the bar - my husband with Coeliac disease was so happy! It's a lovely peaceful area and so we slept well in the very comfortable bed.

Cons:

It's a shame that the sausages at breakfast contained gluten. So many GF sausages are now available that it's disappointing The Black Horse didn't have any.

2026-08-23 via Nuitee
M
Marisol solo_traveller gb
10
Pros:

Large comfy rooms, excellent pub to spend the evening in. Good shower and room had iron/board and tea/coffee making facilities. Breakfast was fab too!

2026-08-23 via Nuitee
G
Gary solo_traveller gb
8
2026-08-22 via Nuitee
B
Badiani solo_traveller gb
9
2026-08-22 via Nuitee
F
Fabian couple ch
9
Perfect location to stop-over or even longer stay
Pros:

Perfect location for a stop-over to/from Dover or Folkestone (or longer stay if you want to explore the region),
Very friendly staff ready to help,
Good pub restaurant,
Ample private parking,

2026-08-22 via Nuitee