The Black Horse Inn

Hotels
8.8 (1911 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 1911 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
Paul Boon • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

food was great

2026-03-07 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • solo_traveller • gb
9
Great place, excellent friendly staff, really good breakfast
Pros:

Great place, excellent friendly staff, really good breakfast.

2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
A
Adrian • couple • gb
7
Very good but some minor iratations
Pros:

Good atmosphere in pub. Great cooked-to-order breakfast

Cons:

Bathroom tired. Hooks missing so insufficient towel hanging and washbasin plug difficult to manage (Mistletoe room)

2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
J
Jennifer • couple • gb
7
2026-03-04 • via Nuitee
A
alanmac69 • solo_traveller • gb
9
Excellent dog friendly
Pros:

Excellent friendly inn right on the pilgrims way and also very dog friendly.. comfortable chalet style accomodation and a lovely traditional bar restaurant

Cons:

The heater doesn't seem to be adjustable in the room so it's either really hot or off .. maybe I wasn't using it correctly

2026-03-03 • via Nuitee
R
Raymond • couple • gb
9
2026-03-02 • via Nuitee
C
clive • couple • gb
10
really nice stay only stayed one night shame it couldnt of been more.
Pros:

room was clean and comfortable and dinner in the evening was lovely didnt stay for breakfast because of leaving early but imagine would of been lovely if the food we had in the evening was anything to go by really nice stay and lovely pub would definitely stay again.

Cons:

no negative remarks at all

2026-03-02 • via Nuitee
W
Wim Van Iseghem • solo_traveller • be
8
Pros:

Eeen beetje een aparte ervaring in UK. Leuk opzet met ruime chalets in de zeer steile tuin. Goed bereikbaar met de wagen. Goede pub en restaurant met zeer aangenaam personeel. Na een lange rit was dit een beetje thuiskomen. Vrij dicht bij de M20.

Cons:

De kraan aan de wastafel stond los. Een groter bureau en een tweede fauteuil zouden leuk zijn voor een langer verblijf met 2. Maar dat zijn details.

2026-03-02 • via Nuitee
J
Judith • couple • ch
10
Es hat uns sehr gut im Black Horse gefallen.
Pros:

Sehr saubere gemütliche Zimmer und auch unsere 3 Hunde waren willkommen. Wir waren schon mehrmals dort. Vielen Dank.

2026-03-02 • via Nuitee
M
Malgorzata • couple • pl
7
convinient for 1 night stay
Pros:

Like the layout and the fact that you have separate entrance to the room. Plus for allowing pets.

Cons:

we spent a night Friday going onto Saturday. Sadly Saturday breakfas starts at 8. Felt like a waste of time as we had a fair distance to drive after and could be on road sooner.

2026-02-28 • via Nuitee
J
Jay • extended_group • gb
10
Stayed three times before and this questionnaire has reminded me to book my next stay.
Pros:

We stay here on business because it's a great, informal environment compared to the larger hotel chains. It has soul, unlike those places, and it also serves great food. We used to travel to here from other hotels just for dinner - it's well worth it.

Cons:

The rooms are a little dated, but that aside they're fine.

2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
U
Uwe • solo_traveller • de
9
Pros:

Tolles Essen

2026-02-26 • via Nuitee
P
paul • couple • nl
10
2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
K
Kayanne • family_with_children • gb
10
We will be returning!!
Pros:

We stayed here after spending the day at Leeds Castle (10 minute drive away) and it was the perfect spot to relax by the fire after a long day. Food was excellent. Staff were super friendly and helpful. Location was beautiful, would be lovely to see the view of the hills when the weather is slightly better. Rooms were clean and spacious. Enjoyed the pub decor and oldie worldie vibe.

Cons:

No dislikes.

2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
C
Colin • solo_traveller • gb
10
Pros:

All good, stay there when at work hq, zero complaints.

Cons:

EV charger not the best.

2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
V
Vanessa • couple • gb
10
2026-02-24 • via Nuitee
A
Angus • extended_group • gb
10
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • gb
9
Pros:

Location pub and walks

Cons:

Could not see tv from bed and only 1 chair in 4 person room. And noisy neighbour tried getting into our room 3 times during the night.

2026-02-22 • via Nuitee
E
es1290 • Couples • Chatham, Kent, England
8
Exceptional but very rude housekeeper.
Pros:

An exceptional place to stay and eat, had to give it 4 stars sadly due to extremely rude and aggressive housekeeper.
This is our second time staying and dining here and every time restaurant and bar staff are exceptional, orders taken promptly, food outstanding quality and perfect! Drinks are lovely, cocktails are very good. Very warm, welcoming and cosy environment.
The rooms are beautiful, very clean heaters which heat up the room quickly, fresh towels available very cosy. Perfect valentines get away. Lots of couples and also families here too. The bar is open until late roughly midnight.
Will definitely be returning again next year.
Only negative is housekeeper came to our door as we was late checking out (had a small nap (I wasn’t feeling great) and ended up napping longer than intended, would be happy to pay late check out fee as our mistake) but the door was banged on, no knocking, when we opened we apologised and First Lady was understanding and stated we may need to pay late check out fee and she would speak to her manager. ‘The manager’ (I asked her name but she did not provide it) then came banged on the door and was extremely aggressive and rude and although apologising she was then swearing and getting agitated. This is such a shame as it’s a beautiful place and so much going for it. I hope next time we return we won’t get spoken to in such an aggressive manner.

2026-02-15 • via Tripadvisor
D
Daran • couple • gb
10
2026-02-14 • via Nuitee