Visit Chartwell

Chartwell was Churchill’s house in Kent and is now preserved as an historic property by the National Trust.

It is consistently one of their most visited sites. The house was purchased by Winston Churchill in 1922 and he used it as his main base during the ‘20s and ‘30s for writing, painting and entertaining. It was a significant drain on his finances until it was purchased for the Trust by a group of Churchill’s friends and admirers in 1946, on condition that Churchill and his wife could continue to live there for their lifetimes. Lady Churchill presented it to the Trust immediately after Churchill’s death in 1965.

Housing the largest collection of Churchill’s paintings and filled with treasures from every aspect of Churchill’s life, the rooms remain much as they were when he lived there, offering a unique opportunity to explore the home of one of Britain’s greatest leaders. Every winter, the National Trust puts on temporary exhibitions to explore Churchill and his life in more detail. The hillside gardens, which visitors are encouraged to explore, reflect on Churchill’s love of the landscape and nature – including the lakes he created, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse designed for Mary, Winston and Clementine’s youngest daughter.

Visitors can explore the house, his painting studio and enjoy the landscaped hillside garden with the breathtaking views that inspired Churchill to buy the house. The National Trust’s team of expert volunteers help to bring Chartwell’s stories alive to visitors all year round.