View allAll Photos Tagged Chartwell
Around every corner at Chartwell you will find bursts of summer colour. The borders lining the top terrace of the kitchen garden and the orchard are looking particularly colourful, filled with pinks and purples and lovely scents. The lilies are blooming, the weigela looks fantastic so make sure you take the time to admire the summer borders at Chartwell
Winston Churchill's walled vegetable garden viewed from one of the terraces.
Overlooking the Weald of Kent.
Chartwell is a country house near the town of Westerham, Kent in South East England. For over forty years it was the home of Winston Churchill. He bought the property in September 1922 and lived there until shortly before his death in January 1965. In the 1930s, when Churchill was excluded from political office, Chartwell became the centre of his world. At his dining table, he gathered those who could assist his campaign against German re-armament and the British government's response of appeasement; in his study, he composed speeches and wrote books; in his garden, he built walls, constructed lakes and painted. During the Second World War Chartwell was largely unused, the Churchills returning after he lost the 1945 election. In 1953, when again Prime Minister, the house became Churchill's refuge when he suffered a devastating stroke. In October 1964, he left for the last time, dying at his London home, 28, Hyde Park Gate, on 24 January 1965.
The origins of the estate reach back to the 14th century; in 1382 the property, then called Well-street, was sold by William-at-Well. It passed through various owners and in 1836 was auctioned, as a substantial, brick-built manor. In 1848, it was purchased by John Campbell Colquhoun, whose grandson sold it to Churchill. The Campbell Colquhouns greatly enlarged the house and the advertisement for its sale at the time of Churchill's purchase described it as an "imposing" mansion. Between 1922 and 1924, it was largely rebuilt and extended by the society architect Philip Tilden. From the garden front, the house has extensive views over the Weald of Kent, "the most beautiful and charming" Churchill had ever seen, and the determining factor in his decision to buy the house.
In 1946, when financial constraints forced Churchill to again consider selling Chartwell, it was acquired by the National Trust with funds raised by a consortium of Churchill's friends led by Lord Camrose, on condition that the Churchills retain a life-tenancy. After Churchill's death, Lady Churchill surrendered her lease on the house and it was opened to the public by the Trust in 1966. A Grade I listed building, for its historical significance rather than its architectural merit, Chartwell has become among the Trust's most popular properties; some 232,000 people visited the house in 2016, the fiftieth anniversary of its opening. wikipedia
One of the cats at Chartwell, the home of Winston Churchill. He was named after Franklin D. Roosevelt the President of the United States.
We've been to Chartwell today (National Trust) former home of Sir Winston Churchill.
I got a bumper crop of Christmas Trees for my little project :)
Some of the grounds, with the stone built summerhouse up above.
Chartwell, Kent, England, home of Winston Churchill for the last 40 years of his life.
We've been to Chartwell today (National Trust) former home of Sir Winston Churchill.
I got a bumper crop of Christmas Trees for my little project :)
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Oh how I'd love to be let lose in a china store room at any National Trust property, and set their tables.
This one is at Chartwell, and I see tea cups, but that looks like a coffee pot ... so are we having tea or coffee :)))
And because I'm a plate-oholic, the china is Royal Crown Derby "Old Imari" ... yes I'm a sad act, coz I often recognise china manufacturers and patterns :))
We've been to Chartwell today (National Trust) former home of Sir Winston Churchill.
I got a bumper crop of Christmas Trees for my little project :)
Walking the estate at Chartwell.. Enjoy the 3 hour circular walk combining Chartwell, Kent and Surrey. Take in the vistas traversing open countryside, wooded glades and passing the grave of Octavia Hill, one of the founders of the National Trust
Sadly rambler/tourist bus services tend not to last. In June 2002 Southlands Travel (Metrobus) were running a service in North West Kent numbered 599. This is Eynsford, a Darent Valley beauty spot. I was rather hoping it might go through the ford, but sadly not! This I'm sure was the only time a bus has gone this way. I think that bus is a bit more than 6'6" wide!
Country house home of Winston Churchill until shortly before his death. Its origins go back to 14th century, and it has magnificent views over the Weald of Kent "the most beautiful and charming I've ever seen".
When we arrived on this lawn, there was a couple looking up at the house in absolute horror. They couldn't believe how ugly it was. It really is a monster from outside but, oh, the interiors! It's an incredibly homely home, if somebody offered, we could happily move in next week!
Winston Churchill bought the house in the early 1920s. He hadn't consulted his wife Clemmie, who was horrified. Mainly because they didn't have enough money, but also because the house faced eastwards across a small side valley to woodland, whereas to the south were these magnificent views stretching 40 miles across the Weald, but they couldn't be seen from the house at all.
The original house as they bought it is the part on the left. The Churchills built the enormous extension to the right to take advantage of the southerly views (almost bankrupting themselves in the process). On the top floor of the extension is Lady Churchill's bedroom, with the best views of the lot. Below that is the sitting room and underneath that (windows surrounded by shrubs in this photo) is the most exquisitely beautiful dining room imaginable.