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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.
The present walled rose garden on the north side of the house was designed by Clementine's close friend and cousin Venetia Montagu. Together they created a traditional, formal English rose garden.
Divided by paths into four beds, the striking display is softened by a mass of perennials and shrubs in gentle colours.
The rose garden was Clementine's pride and joy and became the part of the garden she loved the most. Winston had proposed to Clementine in the rose garden at Blenheim Palace, and no doubt the rose garden here at Chartwell bought back some fond memories for her
As a large country house, Chartwell almost certainly always had a kitchen garden to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to the family. A productive kitchen garden was certainly mentioned in the sale particulars when Churchill bought the house in 1922 ..
The Library at Chartwell, home of Sir Winston Churchill, showing bookshelves inset with relief model of the artificial harbour of Port Arromanches in Normandy, as it was on 23/9/44.
Chartwell, Kent
Bought by Sir Winston Churchill for its magnificent views over the Weald of Kent, Chartwell was his home and the place from which he drew inspiration from 1924 until the end of his life. The rooms remain much as they were when he lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes evoking the career and wide-ranging interests of this great statesman. The hillside gardens reflect Churchill's love of the landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, Lady Churchill's Rose Garden and the kitchen garden. Many of Churchill's paintings can be seen in the studio.
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.
View from the walled garden
So, what do you do on St Georges day? .... spend the day at the home of another British icon!
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 Eagle Heights, a bird of prey centre on the hill above Eynsford.