The Black Horse Inn

Hotels
8.8 (2145 reviews)
Pilgrims Way, Thurnham, Nr Maidstone , Maidstone , gb

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 2145 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
Anne-Marie solo_traveller gb
9
Friendly inn with great food
Pros:

Quiet location but popular pub with great restaurant. The staff were exceptionally friendly. Loved the decor inside the pub, exactly what you would expect from a Kent pub

Cons:

Restaurant gets really busy, so book

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
P
Petra solo_traveller de
7
Pros:

Für einen zwischen stopp okay

Cons:

Keine Klimaanlage, kein Kühlschrank. Keine Sitzgelegenheiten für den Garten.
Bei unserem Aufenthalt waren es über 30 Grad, daher nicht unbedingt der Maßstab.

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
A
Austin solo_traveller au
9
Pros:

Great location, very friendly, good food

Cons:

Younger dining staff not so friendly and audible gossip among them

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
D
Dennis family_with_children nl
9
2026-07-11 via Nuitee
N
nikola couple gb
9
We’ll be back.
Pros:

Beautiful country location but within easy reach of motorway. The chalet-type accommodation in the grounds of a picturesque inn offering great food and friendly staff made for a perfect overnight stay.

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
D
Debbie solo_traveller gb
7
Pros:

Pub was very picturesque and in a good location to visit the surrounding area.
Staff were very friendly

Cons:

Lack of plug sockets in my room. Door mat didn't look like it had been hoovered. Evening meal food was not great. Breakfast was slightly better

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
C
Claire solo_traveller gb
10
Great find....
Pros:

A wonderful gem, the team are so helpful and friendly.
Dinner was delicious. The team couldn't do enough and were really busy.
The room was clean, comfortable and quiet.
Lots of parking.
We will definitely stay again

2026-07-11 via Nuitee
C
Chadwick solo_traveller nl
8
Pros:

Good service

Cons:

Location

2026-07-09 via Nuitee
S
Shona couple gb
10
10/10
Pros:

I’ve been coming here for nearly 16 years. Accommodation and setting is perfection. Food is amazing, staff are all welcoming and friendly. Highly recommend.

2026-07-09 via Nuitee
J
Jutta solo_traveller gb
8
2026-07-09 via Nuitee
K
keybrook couple au
9
Pros:

Great meals breakfast choice good, light airey room well equiped

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
J
Johnson solo_traveller gb
9
Nice stay at the Black Horse Inn
Pros:

Found the environment very charming and well organised. Had great communication with the hotel receptionist (thanks for all your help!). Rooms are good, clean, quite simple but everything you need. Restaurant staff very good, and food was very good. Menu was simple, would like to see another vegetarian option, or a salad option. The fish options were good, and I enjoyed a special of sea trout and chard.
Breakfast was simple, but good. All in all I enjoyed my stay and will recommend.

Cons:

(Being really fussy) the rooms looked made up in a rush, towels were folded in a way that I've not seen in a hotel before (
Ie, not neatly) and bed was also not neat neat. Not a complaint at all, as they were clean, it's just a standard that could elevate the experience a bit.
Concentrated juice with breakfast.

2026-07-08 via Nuitee
K
Kam solo_traveller gb
10
2026-07-07 via Nuitee
S
Sarah solo_traveller de
10
Pros:

Everything was perfect. Our room was clean and the bed was comfortable. The bathroom was clean and modern. Both dinner and breakfast at the pub were absolutely delicious. Everyone there was really friendly, and our dog felt completely at home here too.

2026-07-06 via Nuitee
P
Pistrich extended_group at
9
2026-07-06 via Nuitee
I
Ivonne couple de
7
2026-07-05 via Nuitee
L
Lucy couple gb
8
Pros:

Staff in hotel reception and in main pub were fantastic. Room was very clean and bed very comfortable.

Cons:

The mixer a taps over the bath for the shower make it difficult to get a nice temperature for the shower.

2026-07-05 via Nuitee
M
Matthijs solo_traveller ie
8
1 night stay on my way home to Ireland.
Pros:

The rooms are of a good size, have direct access to the outside but a bit dated. Lovely pub and restaurant at the front with good food and drinks. They are very dog friendly, and 5 min walk there is a park where the dogs can stretch their paws.

Cons:

The price per room is quite high. But it is a lovely place. Will stay here again.

2026-07-05 via Nuitee
solo_traveller gb
8
2026-07-05 via Nuitee
R
Reinie couple nl
9
Heerlijk plek om te overnachten
Pros:

We hebben dit hotel gebruikt als overnachtingshotel op heen en terugreis. Ruim half uurtje vanaf de Le Shuttle, fijne plek om te verblijven. Kamers zijn ruim met goede bedden. Heel hondvriendelijk, ons Pip mocht mee in restaurant. Heerlijk ontbijt en ook in de avond lekker gegeten. Ik kan het iedereen aanraden.

Cons:

N.v.t

2026-07-05 via Nuitee