Chartwell was the home of Winston Churcill and his family for over forty years. The house itself is not spectacular, but the associations and setting are unique. It is set in the gently undulating Kent countryside not far from Westerham, which is well worth visiting in its own right.
Churchill bought Chartwell in 1922 and had it extensively renovated and enlarged during his early years there. He also planned and built a lot of the garden during his life there. He was particularly pround of his brick-laying skills and the walls he built are a measure of his ability. Also in the grounds are the old stables, part of which Churcihill converted to his studio so he could pursue his interest in painting.
The house is closed to visitors from November to March so that essential conservation and restoration work can be undertaken. A separate, highly praised, restaurant and shop are situated close to the main entrance to the grounds and these remain open until just before Christmas.
The house is not huge so visitors are usually allotted times for entrance, but once inside there is no need to rush. Three of the guest bedrooms have been converted to a museum to display such things as Churchill's uniforms, his medals, historical documents, and other fascinating memorabillia. The other rooms remain as they were when the Churchills lived there. Even the fresh flowers (renewed every day) are chosen to reflect the choice of Lady Churchill.
Churchill's study is just as he left it a few months before his death in 1965. The desk, where he wrote most of his books, is covered in photographs. The library houses most of the 6000 books in the house, but its formality is broken by shelf space given to a variety of well-loved soft toys. The dining room is a beatifully lit room that has been restored to the décor of former years.
Out in the garden is a small lake with an island that Churchill helped to build himself. Unusually for England there are black swans resident in the lake. The original swans were a gift to Churchill from the people of Australia in recognition of his wartime achievments. He was very proud of them and their successors are there today. In the studio in the garden are many of Churchill's paintings and his easel, all fascinating.
Chartwell is great place to visit more than once because there is so much detail and you always notice something you overlooked before.