Chartwell, Kent — house

house · Kent · England

Chartwell

Photo: Tilman2007 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

About this place

Chartwell sits near Westerham in Kent and was Sir Winston Churchill's home for more than forty years, from 1922 until shortly before his death in 1965.

The house looks out over the Weald, and Churchill himself built parts of the garden walls and dug the lakes below the terraces.

Inside, his study and the rooms where he wrote his books and speeches are kept much as he left them.

The National Trust has cared for Chartwell since 1946.

Read more on Wikipedia

History

The estate has medieval origins. It changed hands repeatedly over the centuries and was sold at auction in 1836 as a brick-built manor. Churchill bought the property in September 1922 and had it substantially remodelled soon after. He made his last visit to Chartwell in October 1964, dying at his London home in January 1965.

Architecture

The house was extensively remodelled in the 1920s by the architect Philip Tilden, working to Churchill's own wishes for light and views over the Weald. It is a Grade I listed building.

Worth knowing

Chartwell was Churchill's private retreat, where he returned at various points during his career. The house was central to his life in and out of office.

Gardens & grounds

The grounds include the lakes and brick walls Churchill built himself, along with the garden studio where many of his paintings were made.

Plan your visit

Nearest station: Caterham Rail Station (1.3 miles)

Nearby properties

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Chartwell (TN16) there are 2 historic properties, including 2 historic houses.

2 Historic Houses
2 Historic house
See these 2 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Chartwell (TN16) there are 9 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings and 3 historic houses, across Historic Houses, National Trust and Churches Conservation Trust sites.

4 Historic Houses
3 National Trust
1 Churches Conservation Trust
1 English Heritage
3 Historic building
3 Historic house
1 Church
1 Castle
1 Garden
See these 9 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Chartwell (TN16) there are 73 historic properties, including 35 historic buildings, 21 historic houses and 4 palaces, across National Trust, Historic Houses and English Heritage sites.

27 National Trust
22 Historic Houses
16 English Heritage
5 Historic Royal Palaces
3 Churches Conservation Trust
35 Historic building
21 Historic house
4 Palace
3 Garden
3 Church
3 Castle
2 Manor house
1 Museum
1 Archaeological site
See these 73 sites on the heritage map

Facts

The Kent house where Churchill wrote, painted and dug his own lakes by hand.

Type
house
Location
Kent, England
National Trust Grade I
Official website

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