The Windmill

Hollingbourne, Kent
Inn
+44 (0)1622 889000
Visit owner's website

From
£90 - £194
per night

A lovely old timber-framed inn with unspoilt interiors, brimming with character, excellent food, fine wines and fresh, comfortable bedrooms

Bedroom

5 rooms

Sleeps

Rooms sleep 2

Children welcome
Pets welcome

£90 - £194 per night

The Experience

The four downstairs rooms are a delight: wonky ceiling beams and wall timbers, rugs on wooden floors, a huge brick and stone inglenook with a roaring fire, a mix of wall and pew bench seating, simple tables and dining chairs. It’s a lively, bustling place to sit while you have a look at the menu, perhaps with a Balfour wine, a craft beer or some Jake’s cider. Wood-burners simmer merrily in all the other rooms – lovely after a winter walk.

Menus combine pub classics with modern British dishes, oysters, and special dishes like lobster Thermidor and beef Wellington to go with the Balfour fizz, still whites and reds.

Newly renovated bedrooms have a separate entrance at the rear and are simple, minimalist and relaxing with smart TVs, Birchall teas and well-dressed beds; bath/shower rooms vary in size with big fluffy towels and Arran Aromatics. On summer evenings you can sit in the small rear garden – the barbecue is fired up at weekends.

The Windmill - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Planning a visit to Balfour Winery, 10 miles, for a guided tour and tasting and more very good food
  • Walking on the wonderful North Downs, being able to bring your dog
  • Retiring to your bedroom after a good supper
The Windmill - Gallery

You should know

  • Dogs are £20 per room
  • Front bedrooms overlook the busy village lane so you should expect some traffic noise

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Spa
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Bar
  • Barbecue
  • Licensed premises
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Tennis court
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from £90
5 Doubles
From £90

Information

Booking information

Check in
3pm
Check out
11am
Closed
Never.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Dogs

Dogs welcome in all rooms, £20 (max. 2 dogs). Dog bowl, treats and tennis ball provided.

Meals
Starters from £7. Mains from £17. Sunday lunch from £18. Puddings from £8.

Reviews

The 17th-century interior, all wonky beams and wall timbers, at this unassuming village inn comes as a surprise, as do the five contemporary styled rooms above the pub, freshly spruced up by Balfour Hospitality, who own Balfour Winery (tours & tastings) 10 miles away. With modern pub food, fabulous North Downs walks and Leeds Castle on the doorstep, the Windmill makes a comfortable Kent base.

David, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Hollingbourne, home to over a hundred listed properties, is a hidden gem surrounded by the beautiful North Downs for fabulous walks and cycles. Leeds Castle, one mile, has magnificent tapestries, fine furniture and paintings, themed gardens and a tricky maze. Visit Bedgebury Pinetum, Sissinghurst, Boughton Monchelsea Church and Belmont House. Eat well at Frankie's Farm Shop or Macknade Food Hall.

Local points of interest from Balfour Hospitality

  • Whether you're looking for history, nature, or relaxation, the area surrounding Hollingbourne has something to offer for everyone.
  • Visit the nearby town of Maidstone for a mix of shopping, dining, and cultural attractions, including tranquil Mote Park and the Maidstone Museum.
  • Explore the charming villages of Lenham and Bearsted for a glimpse into rural Kentish life – you’ll find quaint streets lined with historic buildings, cozy pubs and local artisan shops.
  • History enthusiasts can take a trip to Leeds Castle just a short drive from the Windmill, often referred to as the "loveliest castle in the world".
  • Nature lovers can walk, cycle and picnic amidst the picturesque countryside landscapes of the Kent Downs.

Introducing

Balfour Hospitality

Co-founders Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn planted their first vineyards in 2002 on the Hush Heath Estate, and five years later, Balfour Brut Rosé 2004 became the first English wine to win a gold medal and the Trophy at the International Wine Challenge. Leslie is an interior designer and art lover and the couple now own ten pubs across central London, East Sussex, Kent and the Cotswolds.