Chartwell, near Westerham, Kent, England, April 2023

Chartwell is a country house which was home to Winston Churchill for forty years from 1922 until shortly before his death in January 1965. The present house largely dates from rebuilding in 1923–24 and was designed by society architect Philip Tilden. The estate has origins dating back as far as the 14th century. The gardens have extensive views over the Weald of Kent, which was a key factor in Churchill’s decision to buy the house.

The house is today owned by the National Trust who have preserved it as it was in the 1930s. The National Trust acquired Chartwell in 1946 when financial constraints forced Churchill to consider selling the house. This led a consortium of Churchill’s friends to raise funds to acquire the house, who then gave it to the National Trust, but with the Churchills retaining a life-tenancy.

Saturday, 29th April 2023

The drawing room at Chartwell house. There are windows on three sides overlooking the gardens. Inside there are comfortable chairs and sofas, a card table, book shelves in alcoves and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The drawing room at Chartwell house. There are windows on three sides overlooking the gardens. Inside there are comfortable chairs and sofas, a card table, book shelves in alcoves and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
View from outside Chartwell house looking across a lawn with the lake visible beyond. The gardens cover 8 hectares (20 acres) plus a further 23 hectares (57 acres) of parkland. The Churchills created almost all of the landscape, architectural and water features seen today in the gardens today.
View from outside Chartwell house looking across a lawn with the lake visible beyond. The gardens cover 8 hectares (20 acres) plus a further 23 hectares (57 acres) of parkland. The Churchills created almost all of the landscape, architectural and water features seen today in the gardens today.
Steps up to an entrance into Chartwell house from the gardens. The exterior of the house can be seen with stone walls for the ground floor and red brick for the upper two storeys . The house is Grade I listed, although this is due to its historical significance, rather than special architectural merit.
Steps up to an entrance into Chartwell house from the gardens. The exterior of the house can be seen with stone walls for the ground floor and red brick for the upper two storeys . The house is Grade I listed, although this is due to its historical significance, rather than special architectural merit.
Looking across a lawn terrace at Chartwell with the entrance to the Marlborough Pavilion to the left. The Marlborough Pavilion was created by Lady Churchill as a summer house and entertaining area in 1927. The walls are painted with murals depicting the 1704 Battle of Blenheim, part of the War of the Spanish Succession, which took place in present day Germany. Sir Winston Churchill's ancestor John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, led the winning side at the battle.
Looking across a lawn terrace at Chartwell with the entrance to the Marlborough Pavilion to the left. The Marlborough Pavilion was created by Lady Churchill as a summer house and entertaining area in 1927. The walls are painted with murals depicting the 1704 Battle of Blenheim, part of the War of the Spanish Succession, which took place in present day Germany. Sir Winston Churchill’s ancestor John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, led the winning side at the battle.
Outside the entrance to the Marlborough Pavilion. The murals and plaster relief decoration can vaguely be seen within.
Outside the entrance to the Marlborough Pavilion. The murals and plaster relief decoration can vaguely be seen within.
An oval-shaped plaster relief cast depicting a woman inside the Marlborough Pavilion. The woman depicted is either Queen Anne, or Sarah Churchill, the wife of the 1st Duke of Marlborough.
An oval-shaped plaster relief cast depicting a woman inside the Marlborough Pavilion. The woman depicted is either Queen Anne, or Sarah Churchill, the wife of the 1st Duke of Marlborough.
Raised beds filled with tulips with the Chartwell ticket office behind.
Raised beds filled with tulips with the Chartwell ticket office behind.