The Black Horse Inn

Hotels
8.8 (1979 reviews)
Pilgrims Way, Thurnham, Nr Maidstone , Maidstone , gb

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Free
Children allowed
Pets allowed

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Electric bicycle charging station
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Terrace
Family rooms
Pets allowed
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Fax/photocopying
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.

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 1979 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
6
60587a4eb898710c6be744f7576a9d49 • solo_traveller • ie
3
2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
4
4f2bea6cd38f71869171654936fccfa4 • solo_traveller • gb
10
Would definitely revisit
Pros:

Staff were friendly bedroom was stunning

Cons:

Nothing

2026-04-18 • via Nuitee
2
2d2d6795d66a707a6e26883117bde1cb • couple • gb
10
Fantastic!!
Pros:

Beautiful location - the room was clean and very comfortable. The breakfast was excellent.

2026-04-17 • via Nuitee
E
e1ea66ad20d1729d833581bf035f9ff5 • couple • nl
9
Pros:

Zeer vriendelijk personeel. Basic maar schone kamer. De pub zelf is erg gezellig. Zeker een aanrader om te blijven eten dus. ideale locatie vlakbij de snelweg. We zouden de volgende keer opnieuw hier boeken. Handig dat je ook de EV kan opladen.

Cons:

Kamer is ietwat sober.

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
9
9de81153f46e7034db7bcf480c6b9daf • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

All round ambience. Staff. Great for dogs.

2026-04-15 • via Nuitee
3
3b71eeb5b5f6724aa1730b117c1b829e • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
C
ca53411e538673a026d46fd4d054b1c5 • couple • gb
10
Warm and friendly with very good food.
Pros:

Very friendly staff and excellent food.

Cons:

Hard to find anything bad to say about this stay.

2026-04-13 • via Nuitee
8
8322ebd64c1773c4ec525897be5d0de7 • couple • gb
8
Nice accommodation but eat else where.
Pros:

Lovely location and staff were polite and helpful.

Cons:

We booked diner for 7pm and eventually got our meal at 8.45 , it was very busy but it was a log wait.

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
1
18d6f9a20c1773d40c72aee8490cad25 • solo_traveller • gb
10
One of the nicest hotels I’ve stayed in
Pros:

Warm , spacious, spotlessly clean and comfortable

Cons:

I liked everything

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
F
f254becbfb7671e79e561b87eb45e7a8 • couple • gb
9
Great stay
Pros:

Location, quiet, clean 😀😀

2026-04-12 • via Nuitee
S
Schilcher • solo_traveller • cz
9
Pros:

Super Pub

2026-04-11 • via Nuitee
K
Kieran • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-04-09 • via Nuitee
L
Linda • family_with_children • de
8
2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
L
Laura • extended_group • fr
8
2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
E
elizabeth • solo_traveller • gb
10
Restful but fun
Pros:

Characterful pub but modern separate accommodation

2026-04-08 • via Nuitee
C
cee • solo_traveller • gb
7
Clean and pleasant
Pros:

Breakfast and dinner - good food, pleasant service

Cons:

I think it needs to be made clearer that the rooms are not in the main building. They are log cabins over a fairly large site down a very steep hill (nicknamed Cardiac Hill!). Although it means the parking is convenient it feels a bit insecure

2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
H
Hayley • couple • gb
9
Pros:

Lots of character

2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
L
Liz • solo_traveller • es
10
Pros:

It felt like home. There were comfy beds and all we needed in the rooms.: hairdryers, irons, umbrellas, shower gel, body lotion.. . We especially loved the pub with its quaint wooden partitions and floors . The dried hops hanging from the ceiling added to the authentic Kent experience.
. Our meal there on Sunday night was really good as was our daily full English breakfast. They were happy to cater for vegetarians, too.
But the thing I would most like to emphasize is that all the staff without exception were extremely helpful and pleasant .

2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
M
Mark • couple • gb
9
Pros:

Excellent food in the bar/restaurant, and the most attentive staff. A credit to the establisment.

Cons:

Couldn't get a proper hot shower in the morning but not a big problem

2026-04-07 • via Nuitee
E
Emily • couple • gb
10
2026-04-04 • via Nuitee