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Garden Name: Chartwell
Last Modified: 08/02/2010
Garden ID: 0222

pic: 0222_chartwell.jpg

Owner: National Trust
Address:
Westerham


Postcode: TN16 1PS
County: Kent

tel: 01732 866368
fax: 01732 868 193
website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w.../w-chartwell.htm
email: chartwell {at} nationaltrust.org.uk

Features: 
Family home of Sir Winston Churchill; Home of Winston Churchill, the BBC's 'Greatest Briton'; Unrivalled collection of Churchill paintings, photographs and memorabilia; Beautiful rose and water gardens commissioned by the Churchills; Countryside walks with stunning views over the Weald; Productive vegetable garden, restored using original plans

English Heritage Grade:
II*

Opening Times:
1st Jan - 12th Mar; Wed - Sun; 11am - 4pm, 
13th Mar - 31st Oct; Wed - Sun; 10.45am - 5pm
7th Jul - 24th Aug; Tues - Sun; 10.45am - 5pm
3rd Nov - 19th Dec; Wed - Sun; 11am - 4pm
20th Dec - 24th Dec; Mon - Fri; 11am - 4pm
27th Dec - 31 Dec; Mon - Fri; 11am - 4pm
Admission by timed ticket to house, which should be purchased immediately on arrival but cannot be booked. Open BH Mons. Last admission 45mins before house closing. Car park closes 4pm, on 1st January to 12th March and 1st November to 31st December, or dusk if earlier; also closed 25th December. Garden open in winter weather and conditions permitting

Best Times of Year to Visit: 
Spring
May
Oct

To see: 
Flowering Shrubs and bluebells
Rose Gardens
Autumn colours

National Collection: 


National Garden Scheme days: No
Comments: 

Parties / Coaches: Yes 
Comments: 

Viewing by Appointment: Yes
Comments: Call 01732 868381 

House Open for Viewing: Yes
Comments: 14 Mar - 28 Jun, 11 - 5, Wed - Sun
1 Jul - 30 Aug, 11 - 5, Tues - Sun
2 Sep - 1 Nov, 11 - 5, Wed - Sun

Admission Prices:
Adult £10.60, child £5.30, family £26.50.
Garden & studio only: £5.30, child £2.65, family £13.25.
Winter gardens for: Adult £2.70, Child £1.35

Parking: Yes
Lavatories: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Shop: Yes
Plants for Sale: No
Lunches: Yes
Teas: Yes
Refreshments: Yes
Picnics: Yes
Dogs allowed: Yes
Only on Lead: Yes
Events: Yes

Other Facilities:
Function rooms for social & business entertainment, weddings catered for. Countryside walks, daily access.
baby changing facilities. Picnics not allowed in grounds. Car park closed 25th Dec, normally closes at 5.30pm or dusk if earlier.


Designer: Sir Winston & Lady Churchill, Lanning Roper
Description of Garden:
The lovely gardens command unrivalled views over the Weald of Kent and contain lakes, a water garden, golden orfe pools, Lady Churchill's rose garden, and the Golden Rose Walk which was given to the Churchills on their golden wedding anniversary by their children. Viewed from the terrace above it is a stunning sight all through the summer and early autumn when the 32 varieties of yellow and golden roses are in flower. Nearby is the Wendy House built for Churchill's daughter, Mary Soames. The visitor can also see Sir Winston's famous brick walls which were built by him personally in the 1920's and 30's and this physical labour, together with his painting, may have become a kind of therapy when he was out of favour politically. In 1928 he was even invited to become an adult apprentice of the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers by their then General Secretary!


History: 
The planting and overall design were largely the responsibility of Lady Churchill, assisted by her head gardener, Victor Vincent from after the war until 1979. After Sir Winston's death in 1965, Chartwell was taken on by the National Trust who employed Lanning Roper, at that time a consultant for the Trust, to re-design parts of the garden in co-operation with Mary Soames. Philip Tilden had previously transformed the house into a suitable and comfortable residence for the family improving its views of, and access to, the garden.

Local Inns: 
Harrow Inn, Ightham

Accomodation: 
In Westerham

Restaurants: 
On site

Village/Town/Sightseeing: 
Westerham village
Tunbridge Wells
Emmetts Garden
Ightham Mote
Knole