An adored family home
Chartwell House is located in a beautiful region of Kent and has exceptional views across the picturesque Wealden countryside. It’s incredibly easy to see why Sir Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine fell in love with it.
Chartwell is very secluded and must have offered the Churchill family a tremendous amount of privacy. Every section of the estate has been extremely well thought out, from the tranquil hidden ponds and magnificent lake to the enchanting walled garden and the croquet lawn.
It’s such a pleasure strolling around the estate as there are so many distinctive areas that you’ll want to just sit back and enjoy and will bring a smile to your face.
![The pin image for our post - 'A visit to Winston Churchill’s Chartwell in Kent '](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/A-visit-to-Winston-Churchills-Chartwell-in-Kent-Pin6.jpg)
![A ginger tabby cat named Jock VII is hiding in the undergrowth of Chartwell.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jock-VII-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
Where is Chartwell?
How to get to Chartwell
- By Train
Chartwell is slightly remote; therefore, the nearest train stations are Edenbridge (4 miles), Oxted (6 miles) and Sevenoaks (6 miles). Sevenoaks has a regular service from London and a taxi rank for that final hop.
- By Car
Chartwell can be accessed from the A25 near Westerham. There’s a free car park for National Trust members, or parking charges apply to non-members visiting Chartwell.
A little history on Chartwell
A country manor house with an air of graceThe estate dates back to the 14th-century and has been built upon since the 16th-century. Amazingly sections of Tudor brickwork are still visible on the external walls.
Winston Churchill acquired the striking manor house in 1922 and, after extensive restoration, moved in with his family in 1924. Winston lived at Chartwell for many years, skipping a few during the Second World War and remaining until shortly before his death in 1965.
![A view along a hedge-lined path to the south-facing red-brick wall of Chartwell House.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-south-side-of-Chartwell-House-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
The upkeep of Chartwell was proving to be very expensive; it was agreed that a group of businessmen would purchase the home in 1946/47, which was then offered to the National Trust. The only condition was that Winston and his wife could continue to live there.
Chartwell House was opened to the public in 1966 and was designated as a Grade I Listed Building in 1975.
Exploring inside Chartwell House
Bringing elegant history aliveStepping through the original wooden door from 1923, you’re walking in the footsteps of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. One of the UK’s most influential Prime Ministers.
The interior of Chartwell House is decorated as it was in the 1930s. Still, today, if any alterations need to be made, the National Trust discuss them with the Churchill family first.
![The entrance on the west-facing profile of the red-brick of Chartwell House.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chartwell-House-entrance-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
The first room we enter is Lady Churchill’s Sitting Room decorated so tastefully with duck egg blue walls and adorned with many paintings by Sir Winston.
This room later became Lady Churchill’s bedroom, and with the stunning views from the ‘Pink’ Terrace across the Weald of Kent, I don’t blame her.
![Lady Churchill’s sitting room in Chartwell House is decorated in a duck egg blue with a picture of Sir Winston Churchill above the fireplace.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lady-Churchills-Sitting-Room-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![Seating placed in a horseshoe shape around the fire of the Drawing Room of Chartwell House](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Drawing-Room-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![A period desk and chair in the dimly lit library of Chartwell house](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chartwell-Library-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![The bookshelf lined library at Chartwell house with a large map of the Port Arromanches in the centre of one wall.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Wall-mounted-model-of-the-Port-Arromanches-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
Where to stay in nearby Westerham
The first floor of Chartwell awaits
From the boudoir to the studyAs you stroll around Chartwell, ensure you talk to the Room Stewards. They are so passionate about Chartwell and love chatting and divulging fascinating snippets of information regarding the Churchill’s and the house.
Heading up to the first floor we pass by some amazing black and white photos of notable Lords and a delightful statue of Churchill.
![A small cream stone statue of Sir Winston Churchill thrusting forward with his hands on his hips.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/A-Statue-of-Churchill-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
We then enter the charming bedroom of Lady Churchill. The barrel-vaulted ceiling gives a wonderful height to the room, which has breath-taking views over the far-reaching Kent countryside.
It almost feels as though Clementine Churchill has just stepped out of the room. Every detail was in place on her desk and not a hairbrush out of place on her dressing table.
![A desk in front of a fireplace in the pale blue decorated bedroom of Lady Churchill in Chartwell House](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lady-Churchills-Bedroom-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![A bust of Sir Winston Churchill and the sign for the Museum and Uniform Rooms within Chartwell house](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Museum-and-Uniform-Rooms-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![A buff-coloured military jacket, embellished with many medal ribbons, and cap of Sir Winston Churchill in the Uniform Room within Chartwell House.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/One-of-Churchills-many-uniforms-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![The vaulted study of Sir Winston Churchill with its bookshelves and writing desk.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Winston-Churchills-Study-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
The Churchill’s entertaining at Chartwell
If only walls could speak?![Two small tables with comfortable chairs in Chartwell's Dining Room with its full-length arched windows overlooking the grounds](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chartwells-Dining-Room-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![The traditionally equipped mid-20th-century kitchen at Chartwell House, with pots and pans on the Aga cooker, a wooden topped centre console and a kitchen dresser in the background.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chartwells-Kitchen-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![A poster of airmen topped with the slogan “Never was so much owed by so many to so few” in Chartwell House](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Never-was-so-much-owed-by-so-many-to-so-few-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
Escape for a few days
Are you looking for that ‘perfick’ holiday hideaway to relax in while you discover the Garden of England?
After a day exploring the Kent coast and its many historic castles enjoy one of the handpicked properties and unique retreats at Holiday Cottages.
Sir Winston’s studio
Churchill’s largest single collection of paintings![A selection of canvases, painted by Sir Winston Churchill, in his studio in the grounds of Chartwell.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Inside-Churchills-studio-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
As soon as we stepped into the studio, I felt a sense of calm. I love art, and visiting Churchill’s personal studio had such an air about it.
It’s unbelievable to comprehend that Churchill didn’t start painting until 1915 when he was in his 40s. There were so many vibrant paintings from his travels in Italy, Marrakech, and the Middle East. They were often completed within a matter of hours.
Sir Winston continued painting for a further 50 years and produced over 500 canvasses. This studio at Chartwell contains the most extensive single collection of Churchill’s artworks.
![A glass of Whisky, a partially smoked cigar resting in an ashtray, a box of three cocks mints and an artist's paint palette in Sir Winston Churchill's studio in the grounds of Chartwell.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Just-how-Churchill-would-have-left-it-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
If you're intrigued by Kent's weird and wonderful history, or all unusual stories around the county, then take a peek at "Kent's Strangest Tales".
You won't be able to put it down, you can pick it up for your Kindle or in good old paperback.
Chartwell’s gorgeous gardens
Exploring the estate![The outdoor swimming pool set within the green grass at Chartwell's](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Chartwell-swimming-pool-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![Stepping stone across the Golden Orfe Pond to a single wooden seat at Chartwell's](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Golden-Orfe-Pond-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![A view of Chartwell house from Lady Churchill’s Rose Garden in the autumn.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lady-Churchills-Rose-Garden-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
After touring Chartwell House, we stepped out onto the exquisite terrace and into Lady Churchill’s Rose Garden.
The charming rose garden has a beautiful backdrop of the country manor and a characterful old wall. I can imagine in the summer months, when the fragrant roses are in full bloom, they’ll look stunning.
We’ll have to return!
![The stone Marlborough Pavilion set at the edge of the lawns at Chartwell](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marlborough-Pavilion-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
Just down from the rose garden is the Marlborough Pavilion and the terraced lawns, immaculately kept by the National Trust.
Strolling a little further around the estate, you’ll discover the croquet lawn, which was once a tennis court. The croquet was more of a passion for Clementine than Churchill.
![Thre croquet lawn, complete with white hoops, with Chartwell house in the background.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Croquet-Lawn-at-Chartwell-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
If, like us, you enjoy visiting the National Trust gardens around the United Kingdom, then grab yourself a copy of the latest ‘Gardens of the National Trust’.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book, and it won’t be long before you’re planning your next trip.
Discovering more of Kent
Chartwell’s Walled Garden
Wandering the walking trailsThe garden I especially loved was the gorgeous Walled Garden.
We amble amongst the fruit-filled orchard and brush past the bursting lavender beds, full of bees and butterflies. Then step through into the captivating Walled Garden, built by Winston Churchill’s own fair-hands between 1925 and 1932.
![Purple late-blooming lavender set against the south edge of the walled garden of Chartwells](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Lavender-within-the-Walled-Garden-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![Bright red stems of the Swiss Chard in the walled garden of Chartwells.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Swiss-Chard-ready-for-harvesting-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
![A path leading from the centre to the top of the walled garden at Chartwell in Kent](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Walled-Garden-at-Chartwell-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
Once you’ve explored Chartwell House and its splendid gardens, then venture off onto one of Chartwell’s walking trails. You’ll discover a treehouse, a Canadian Camp (created in honour of the Canadian troops stationed at Chartwell), a Doormouse Den and a Second World War bomb crater.
Oh yes, keep a lookout for the tactile statue of Winston and Clementine, which is down by the lake. It was created by the Croatian sculptor Oscar Nemon.
![A lifesize bronze statue of Sir Winston Churchill and his wife Lady Clementine Churchill sitting on a bench in the grounds of Chartwell.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/The-Churchills-Statue-Chartwell-Westerham-Kent-England-V5.jpg)
Our video of Chartwell
We have created a little YouTube video of Chartwell Why not take a look?
Also, why not subscribe to our YouTube channel and get the latest clips as we post them?
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