Chartwell was the family home of Sir Winston Churchill from 1924 until his death in 1965. It was the spectacular view over The Weald and the South Downs that Churchill loved about the house.
He bought the modest Victorian house in 1922 and made extensive additions and alterations.
At Chartwell Churchill not only painted and wrote but also created garden walls, rockeries and waterworks, and even built a large swimming pool.
In 1946 a group of Churchill's friends bought the house and gave it to the National Trust to be preserved eventually as a memorial to the great man.
It is now one of the Trust's most popular properties.
Today Chartwell is left as was in Sir Winston and Lady Churchill's life time with fresh flowers from the garden, daily papers and his famous cigars. The main rooms are furnished as they were in the 1930s except from some objects and paintings added after the war.
Two bedrooms have been converted to display trophies and gifts presented to Churchill and some of his uniforms. His study is left as he last used it. Several of his paintings are hung in the house.
Around the house are reminders of the great man including old cigar boxes, portraits of family and friends and the visitors' book showing the celebrated people who came to Chartwell.
In the garden Lady Churchill's preferences in flowers and colours are still observed.
The pool where Sir Winston fed the Golden Orfe can be seen. Also in the garden is the Marlborough Pavillion which has frescoes depicting the battle of Blenhein.
The Garden Studio has Sir Winston's paintbox and easel on display and a number of his paintings.
2008:House & Garden:15 Mar-29 Jun:11:00-17:00 Wed-Sun; 1 Jul-31 Aug:11:00-17:00 Tue-Sun; 3 Sep-2 Nov:11:00-17:00 Wed-Sun. Garden at some other times during year weather permitting. Admission by timed ticket. Open Bank Hol Mons. Last entry 45mins before
Tel: 01732 866368 - Infoline Chartwell Website
