About
Chartwell is one of the most significant houses in modern British history — the beloved family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death in 1965. Set on the edge of the Kentish Weald with sweeping views across the wooded countryside, this handsome red-brick house was the private retreat where Churchill recharged, reflected, wrote, painted, and planned through some of the most tumultuous decades in British and world history.
Churchill purchased Chartwell in 1922, captivated by the magnificent views from the hillside above Westerham in Kent. Despite its relatively modest proportions compared with the grand houses of the aristocracy, Chartwell was the place that Churchill identified most completely with home and family. He lived here almost continuously throughout the 1930s, the period of his political wilderness years, and it was here that he entertained the remarkable circle of politicians, writers, artists, and military men who formed his inner circle.
The house contains an outstanding collection of Churchill memorabilia and personal possessions, including his magnificent painting studio, his famous wartime uniforms, gifts from world leaders, and the contents of the study where he wrote his History of the English-Speaking Peoples, The Second World War, and the biography of his ancestor the Duke of Marlborough. Churchill's library, his correspondence, his cigars, and the daily objects of his life create an extraordinarily intimate portrait of a great public man in his private setting.
The gardens at Chartwell are a delight in their own right, designed and developed by Churchill himself with characteristic energy and originality. Churchill built substantial sections of the garden walls with his own hands — he was a certified bricklayer and member of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers — and the brick garden, kitchen garden, and croquet lawn reflect his practical as well as aesthetic vision for the property.
The golden orfe in the garden ponds were a gift from Field Marshal Montgomery, and many of the features at Chartwell carry similar associations with the great events and personalities of the 20th century. The National Trust, which acquired Chartwell in 1946 with Churchill's agreement (on the condition that he could continue to live there for the rest of his life), maintains the house and gardens to the highest standards while preserving the informal warmth that Churchill himself cherished.
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Plan Your Visit
⏱️ Recommended Visit Duration
📅 Best Times to Visit
💡 Visitor Tips
- Churchill's painting studio is the most affecting room in the house — it gives you a more intimate sense of the man than any biography. Do not rush past it.
- Book tickets well in advance, especially for summer weekends — Chartwell is one of the National Trust's most popular properties and timed-entry slots sell out quickly.
- Arrive at opening time for the best experience in the house before the rooms fill up. The garden can be enjoyed at any time of day.
- Chartwell is most easily reached by car from the M25 Junction 6 — just 25 miles from London. Use postcode TN16 1PS for satnav.
- Family trails and activity sheets are available at the admissions desk. Older children with an interest in the Second World War will be captivated by the uniforms and memorabilia.
- Combine Chartwell with Quebec House in Westerham (General Wolfe's childhood home) for a full day of historic house visiting in west Kent.
- Look out for the garden walls that Churchill built himself — the bricklaying is of a surprisingly high standard from a man who was also running the British Empire.
- The views from the garden terrace across the Kentish Weald are magnificent and make excellent photographs, particularly in late afternoon light.
Highlights
Discover the unique exhibits and collections at this museum.
Collections
The collections at Chartwell comprise Churchill's personal possessions, paintings (by Churchill and gifts from others), wartime memorabilia, uniforms, decorations including the Order of the Garter and Nobel Prize documentation, gifts from world leaders, his personal library, and the contents of his studio.
The collection is internationally significant as a record of one of the most consequential political figures of the 20th century.
Churchill's House Rooms
Principal rooms including study, drawing room, dining room, and bedroom preserved as Churchill left them.
The Painting Studio
Churchill's garden studio preserved with his paints, brushes, and artworks exactly as used.
Uniforms and Decorations
Display of Churchill's wartime uniforms, medals, decorations, and official regalia including Order of the Garter.
The Garden
Grounds including walls built by Churchill, kitchen garden, croquet lawn, and fish ponds with golden orfe.
Themes
Time Periods
Current Exhibitions
No current exhibitions. Please check the museum website for updates.