ChartwellNT

Family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill in the care of the National Trust.

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

Today we celebrated the Churchills' Head Gardeners with a new display about the life of Albert Hill, who held the role from 1927 to 1944. His 97-year-old daughter Gwen, who was born in 1928 in the cottage on the @ChartwellNT estate that houses the display, joined us to say a few words about her family's lives there, and her wonderful recollections were captured by the BBC, ITV and KMTV, hopefully to be aired tonight.

Getting to know Gwen and her family in recent years has been a joy and a privilege. Today has been one of the most special days of my career to date, and I feel honoured to have been able to tell her story, and that of her family, at her former home.

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

The new hayrick at @ChartwellNT, masterminded by @HeadGardenerCPL, reflects centuries-old agricultural practices on the estate, as can be seen beyond the swimming pool in these paintings by Winston Churchill and William Nicholson.

[Rob Biddulph @RobBiddulph]

Two lovely events at @ChartwellNT yesterday – a huge thank you to everyone who came along to see me (including my dad, pictured!). The When I Grow Up trail looked absolutely glorious in the golden summer light, and this time I also got to tour the house itself.
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[Bernard Donoghue @bernarddonoghue]

@ChartwellNT is so well managed and presented, great curatorial work and interpretation, and it still retains its intimacy and authenticity as a family home. A really superb visit. Great ice cream too.

[TylersandBricklayers @Ts_and_Bs]

The @TsandBs plaque commemorating Winston Churchill the bricklayer is still on display at @ChartwellNT

[Coram @Coram]

Before Churchill lived at @ChartwellNT, it was home to the Westerham Foundling Hospital founded by Thomas Coram.

Learn more through The Story of the Westerham Foundlings exhibition with @nationaltrust.

🔗 Exhibition: https://t.co/LIEbGJM3pV

[ChartwellNT @ChartwellNT]

@maisiethetortie We're sorry that our lattes didn't meet your expectations. We have passed your feedback onto the team.

[BBC Kent @BBCRadioKent]

Before becoming the home of Sir Winston Churchill, Chartwell was once a refuge for hundreds of young people.

More here: https://t.co/Tgs1cxhLk1

[ChartwellNT @ChartwellNT]

@RobBiddulph @nationaltrust @HarperCollinsCh We can't wait to welcome you to Chartwell this summer!

[Rob Biddulph @RobBiddulph]

I'm so excited to be appearing at Chartwell this summer – the former home of Sir Winston Churchill – in association with the National Trust!

Come and explore a brand-new family trail inspired by When I Grow Up I'd Like to Be..., then join me on 12 & 26 August for live Draw With Rob sessions. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might even spot my illustrated Winston Churchill along the trail!

More info and tickets here: https://t.co/CvLrFFP5qn

[ChartwellNT @ChartwellNT]

Important notice

Due to high temperatures on Thur 25, Fri 26 June, last entry to the house will be 1.20pm.

Last entry to the garden will be 2.30pm.

The Studio will close at 2.30pm

The full site including house, garden, café, shop, car park will close at 3pm.

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

Today marks 60 years since @ChartwellNT, the home of Winston and Clementine Churchill, first opened to the public. 🎉

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

"By the time I knew her, the first volume of her beauty was closed; but years afterwards she opened a second, when she suddenly decided to let hair, waist, complexion and everything go, and became in a day one of the most beautiful human beings I have seen."
Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill, as later recalled by Eddie Marsh

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

"I had great anxiety and no means of relieving it; I had vehement convictions and small power to give effect to them... And then it was the Muse of Painting came to my rescue."
- Winston Churchill, 'Painting as a Pastime'

Photo: Churchill in his painting studio at @ChartwellNT

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

If you've not seen @WallaceMuseum's #Churchill show yet, why not join me there on 29 June for my talk on 'Churchill's Citadel'.

Discover the role his home @ChartwellNT played in his fight against the Nazis *and* see this fab new display of his paintings.
https://t.co/MqPYGS3KcZ

[ChartwellNT @ChartwellNT]

Did you miss last night's broadcast? Here's a link to catch up: https://t.co/mnPoXt60OS

[ChartwellNT @ChartwellNT]

Tune in tonight (19 May 2026, 7.15pm) to Front Row on BBC Radio4 to hear Chartwell’s Property Curator, Katherine Carter and Xavier Bray, Director of The Wallace Collection chatting about Sir Winston Churchill’s paintings.
@katieculture @WallaceMuseum @BBCRadio4

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

A smile-inducing headline for the Curator of the largest collection of Churchill paintings in the world, at @ChartwellNT. ☺️

"Admit it art snobs, Winston Churchill was a surprisingly decent painter"
https://t.co/vYTpZDoFoA

[Katherine Carter @katieculture]

Well, that went rather well. 🙂

Tonight's episode of #FrontRow on @BBCRadio4 will be on @BBCiPlayer soon. Listen in for my musings on Churchill's passion for painting. ✌️🖼