The Black Horse Inn can host a corporate meeting for up to 60, a weekday party or function for up to 100 and a weekday wedding with ceremony, meal and evening reception. The inn stands on the Pilgrims' Way in the hamlet of Thurnham, five minutes from Maidstone in Kent, on the North Downs in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and has 34 en-suite rooms on site.
Seminars and company events
The Pilgrim Suite is the inn's room for meetings and conferences. It seats up to 60 in a corporate layout and comes with a large projector and screen, its own broadband line for faster Wi-Fi and a private bar. Meetings can be fully catered in the suite, or the group can take lunch, dinner or both in the restaurant for a change of scene. Teams on a multi-day program can stay in the inn's bedrooms. The inn quotes each event on request by phone or email.
Weddings and receptions
The inn sells bespoke wedding packages, currently on weekdays. Smaller weddings of up to 34 guests take place in the garden room restaurant, and the Pilgrim Suite can be added for a larger evening party with dancing. Larger weddings and evening receptions can use the Pilgrim Suite for the whole day. Two areas are licensed for ceremonies: an outdoor gazebo at the foot of the extended garden, with long views over Kent, and the Pilgrim Suite for couples who prefer to be indoors. For other celebrations, the suite is hired by the day or the evening for birthdays, anniversaries, baby naming ceremonies and private parties.
Rooms and capacities
The Pilgrim Suite takes up to 60 in meeting layout and up to 100 for functions and parties, with access to outdoor space and its own bar. The garden room restaurant seats wedding parties of up to 34. The outdoor gazebo is licensed for ceremonies.
Accommodation
The inn has 34 en-suite guest rooms in Kentish barn-style lodges. They can be booked for delegates when an event runs over several days, or for wedding guests.
Catering
Food is cooked in-house with seasonal produce from local suppliers and served in a restaurant hung with hops. The bar keeps a wide range of drinks, including a selection of beers. Most dishes can be made gluten free on request, and the kitchen asks to be told of dietary needs in advance.
History and setting
The Black Horse is a long-established freehold pub, restaurant and hotel in the Kent countryside. Its garden looks across the North Downs, and the building is Grade II listed. Dogs are welcome.
Getting there
Bearsted station, a short drive away, has direct trains to London Victoria. The M20, M2 and A249 pass close by. The Channel Tunnel terminal at Folkestone is about 35 minutes by car and Dover about 45 minutes. Three electric car chargers are on site.
