Chartwell NT

Chartwell NT Chartwell, now owned by the National Trust, was Churchill’s home for over 40 years. Today, we look after the home that Winston and his family loved so much.
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Our page will bring you news of the going ons at Chartwell past and present, what our teams are up to and any important updates. Chartwell is the family home of Sir Winston and Clementine Churchill, which they bought together in 1922; it would be their family home for the next forty years. The rooms in the house remain much as they were when the family lived here, with pictures, books and

personal mementos, while a special exhibition gives deeper insight into his life through 50 objects. Chartwell’s hillside gardens reflect Churchill's love of landscape and nature. They include the lakes he created, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse designed for his youngest daughter Mary. Beyond the gardens there is expansive woodland with looped trails and natural play areas; there is den building, a Canadian camp; Donkey Jack's Caravan as well as swings and slides. Further into the woods you will also find our treehouse for you to explore, based on the one Churchill built for his own children.

*Some areas of the property are currently closed due to the National Lockdown, including the house and some of the playareas. Please check our website to find out more.

*Our Facebook ‘House Rules’*
We want our page to be a place where people can share how they feel about the National Trust and talk about their experiences in a fun environment. We welcome feedback – both positive and negative. It helps us to learn and grow. These house rules aim to ensure everyone can enjoy themselves while they’re here:

We ask you to be nice and polite to one another – you almost always are! - and respect each other’s views and comments. We ask all users to ensure your contributions are civil, polite, tasteful and suitable for all ages. We won't tolerate disruptive, offensive or abusive behaviour, unlawful or objectionable content. This includes any material which might be defamatory, offensive, infringing, obscene, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, blasphemous, indecent or otherwise unlawful or objectionable. It also includes any material which is aggressive, argumentative or likely to be construed as bullying. No spamming or repetition, please, nor off-topic material in subject-specific threads or areas.

*Moderation policy*
In general, we don’t moderate posts – except on the rare occasion that someone has used offensive language or made libellous allegations about named or identifiable individuals on our page. We have a duty to protect our staff and volunteers, so while deleting comments is totally out of character for us, our legal position is that any post containing a libellous accusations, should be removed. If an individual continues to post offensive, threatening or libellous content then we’ll be forced to block that person from the page. We won’t tolerate postings, content, or links that are racist, sexist or homophobic. We also don’t permit linking to or posting any content which endorses illegal activity, or any activities against the values of the National Trust. If you’re concerned that a posting or user content has broken any of our house rules or you’re worried about any comment or content then please send us an email to [email protected] and let us know. Please note that the views on our page are created by our community and don’t necessarily represent the views or opinions of National Trust.

We’re looking for some visitors to take part in a photoshoot in the house at Chartwell.If you are happy to be photograph...
31/05/2026

We’re looking for some visitors to take part in a photoshoot in the house at Chartwell.

If you are happy to be photographed and filmed and you’re free on the afternoon of Monday 29 June, please get in touch. You can direct message us or email [email protected]

No modelling experience is required, just the willingness to have fun and enjoy a visit to the family home of Sir Winston Churchill. The photos and video content may be shared in a variety of ways, including posters, leaflets, internet and social media.

To say thank you for your time, your visit will be free of charge, and we’ll also give you a voucher for a light lunch or snack in the café.

We’re looking for adults (friends, couples, etc.) as well as families to take part in this photoshoot.

📷 ©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

Chartwell 60: What’s on in the GardenOutdoor displays tell the Chartwell 60 story.Join in with iconic photos opportuniti...
30/05/2026

Chartwell 60: What’s on in the Garden

Outdoor displays tell the Chartwell 60 story.
Join in with iconic photos opportunities at key locations.
Guided garden tours Monday, Thursday, Friday (excluding Bank Holidays, free with admission).

Please note that garden tours are subject to volunteer guide availability. Ask at the Visitor Centre.

Head to the Chartwell website to find out more about events and programming. Join us to celebrate 60 years since the National Trust opened Chartwell to visitors on 22 June 1966.

📷 © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Image description: a group of visitors smiling as they stroll along a path through the garden.

National Trust National Trust London and South East

Rosy views of the house at Chartwell. Share your favourite Chartwell rose photos by tagging us or adding them in the com...
29/05/2026

Rosy views of the house at Chartwell.

Share your favourite Chartwell rose photos by tagging us or adding them in the comments.

📷©️ National Trust/Jen Reznick

Chartwell 60: What’s on inside the HouseSelf-led visits daily from 11am (tickets from Visitor Centre).23 May to 19 July ...
28/05/2026

Chartwell 60: What’s on inside the House
Self-led visits daily from 11am (tickets from Visitor Centre).
23 May to 19 July 2026, daily from 11, last entry 3.40pm

Guided Highlights Tours weekdays
26 May–17 July 2026, 4pm Monday-Friday, excluding Bank Holidays

For a more personal experience of the House, join one of our expert volunteer guides on a tour of selected rooms as we celebrate the National Trust’s 60th anniversary of welcoming everyone to the Churchills’ family home. (Includes Sir Winston Churchill's bedroom.)

Normal admission or National Trust membership applies as well as an additional fee for the guided tour. Spaces are limited; online pre-booking is advised.

📷 © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor
Image description: A guide shows a small group of visitors some information. A man and woman lean in for a closer look.

National Trust National Trust London and South East

Chartwell 60: Share your Chartwell MemoriesAdd your story and a photo to be part of a special display.Scan the QR code o...
25/05/2026

Chartwell 60: Share your Chartwell Memories

Add your story and a photo to be part of a special display.

Scan the QR code or follow the link to the online survey or add your postcard to one of the memory post boxes at Chartwell.

The National Trust opened Chartwell to the public on 22 June 1966.
Discover more and celebrate with us!

🔗Links are in the ChartwellNt bio.

📷 © National Trust/Kate York
Image description: A photo of a woman’s hands holding a camera phone and taking a photo of a group of visitors enjoying a picnic on the lawn at Chartwell

National Trust National Trust London and South East

💛 Following a full and comprehensive restoration, the Golden Rose Avenue at Chartwell is reopening for the first time th...
24/05/2026

💛 Following a full and comprehensive restoration, the Golden Rose Avenue at Chartwell is reopening for the first time this weekend.

In early 2025, the Garden Team planned and delivered a project to make this key area of the garden fit for purpose and bring maximum enjoyment for our visitors for years to come. With in-depth research into the available modern cultivars, the team have chosen an array of roses that will repeat-flower all summer long, whilst still retaining the original, intended spirit of this key feature within the garden at Chartwell.

💛Did you know… the Golden Rose Avenue was a gift to Sir Winston and Lady Churchill from their children to mark the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1958?

Lady Mary Soames once said 'Randolph had the wonderful idea that we – their children – should give them this Golden Rose Avenue, which we did... We took 'golden' to range from creamy yellow right through to delicate orange', and it was this colour palette that steered the decision making for our Garden Team today.

💛 The restoration of this integral feature in the garden was made possible thanks to the kind gifts and donations of our visitors; with two of our key donors being brothers Tony and Mike Moore.

They kindly donated towards this project in memory of their parents who were both keen gardeners and met in nearby Westerham during the early part of the Second World War. The Garden Team were delighted when Tony offered his time for two days to help during the planting of the avenue!

💛 So as our season of roses begins, now is a fitting time to come, take a seat on our new benches, and enjoy the beauty of this avenue of over 200 roses.

📷 ©National Trust/Chris Lane
p.lane National Trust London and South East National Trust

Looking for a place to play this half term?Head to Chartwell to explore the grounds.Discover the 2-storey tree house, cl...
23/05/2026

Looking for a place to play this half term?
Head to Chartwell to explore the grounds.
Discover the 2-storey tree house, climbing and balance beams in the bomb crater, Donkey Jack’s caravan, the Canadian Camp and swings.

Head to the Chartwell website to find more family-friendly visiting tips.
📷 ©National Trust/Jen Reznick

National Trust London and South East National Trust

With Chelsea Flower Show in full swing, the focus on sustainability of show gardens becomes more prevalent each year. Bu...
21/05/2026

With Chelsea Flower Show in full swing, the focus on sustainability of show gardens becomes more prevalent each year. But did you know that Chartwell holds strong ties to the world’s most famous flower show?

At Chartwell we are fortunate enough to care for a former Chelsea exhibit created by Col. Archibald Nelson Gavin Jones DSO, or as he preferred to be known, simply, Gavin Jones.
His creation at Chartwell was formerly on display at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1948, which is where Lady Churchill first set eyes on it. Gavin Jones and the Churchills became good friends, and he consequently installed his Chelsea creation at Chartwell without charge; with the Churchill family paying only for the transportation cost.
As part of the installation, Gavin Jones made minor adaptations to the appearance of his Chelsea garden to incorporate the many existing ponds, streams and Swimming Pool, and moulded them into the topography of the landscape in a more organic, natural, and coherent fashion.

As we understand it, this unique piece of Chelsea's history is one of only four surviving gardens created by Gavin Jones, but Chartwell's example is the only remaining example existing in its entirety and in functioning order.

It is also the only former Chelsea exhibit on display in a National Trust garden!

Recent 📷 ©National Trust/Christopher Lane, historic photos from Gavin Jones

National Trust London and South East National Trust

🐝20 May is World Bee Day📘 Find a copy of ‘The Bee Spotter’s Guide’ and a pollinators table with more Bee-friendly inspir...
20/05/2026

🐝20 May is World Bee Day

📘 Find a copy of ‘The Bee Spotter’s Guide’ and a pollinators table with more Bee-friendly inspiration in the National Trust shop at Chartwell.

🐝 Get a free enamel bee badge with your purchase of ‘The Bee Spotter’s Guide’.

📷 ©National Trust Images, National Trust/Chris Lane, Nici Watson

National Trust London and South East .goulson Dave Goulson

20/05/2026

🐝20 May is World Bee Day

🐝Bee impressed by these Chartwell bee facts:
- Bees were first introduced to the garden at Chartwell in 1938 and were kept by the Churchill's Head Gardener, Albert Hill.
- During WWII, honey was in great demand due to sugar rationing, and a special allowance of sugar per hive was allowed by (the then) Ministry of Food.
- Lady Churchill was a member of the Kent Beekeepers Association.

📷 ©National Trust/Chris Lane


National Trust

National Trust London and South East

Address

Mapleton Road
Westerham
TN161PS

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